Visitors to CMU

Federal laws related to Export Control, Foreign Asset Control and national security prohibit certain types of information sharing and financial transactions with non-US individuals and institutions. As part of the university’s effort to comply with these laws, we conduct “Restricted Party Screening” (RPS) for non-US visitors coming to campus (screening includes their affiliated institutions). RPS involves comparing individuals and organizations to the various governmental lists of prohibited, restricted and debarred entities. CMU uses vendor supplied software that reviews against approximately 170 different restricted party lists.

RPS should be performed for non-US, invited visitors and /or visiting scholars, as well as their affiliated institutions prior to processing the individual’s formal invitation. This is important as there are severe civil and criminal, personal and institutional penalties for violating the regulations. Screening prior to issuing invitations or offer letters prevents the need for withdrawal of offers should there be any RPS matches.

RPS is conducted by CMU’s Export Control Compliance office. Requests for screening should be submitted using the RPS online request form, but can also be sent to export-compliance@andrew.cmu.edu.  The following information should be provided:

Basic Information needed for screening:

1. Visitor’s name, address, date of birth, country of citizenship, country of birth;
2. Visitor’s home and/or sponsoring institution/agency;
3. Anticipated start and end date of visit;
4. Name of CMU faculty sponsor/host;
5. Purpose of the visit: internship, visiting scholar, teaching, etc.;
6. Is the visit the result of an unsolicited request from the visitor;
7. Has the CMU sponsor worked or interacted with the visitor previously;
8. A full description of work the visitor will conduct at CMU, including the project purpose and goals.

Additional information that may be needed:

9. Will the visitor need access to any third party materials, data, and/or information for the work contemplated (i.e. materials, data, and/or information received under a data use agreement, equipment agreement, MTA, NDA, grant, etc.);
10. Will the visitor be exposed to confidential and/or proprietary information including any potentially patentable information/technology;
11. Indicate if the visitor’s work is related to any sponsored research project (grant, contract, etc.). If so, identify the project and funding source;
12. Are there any existing technology control plans (export controls) established in the area the visitor will be working;
13. Does the faculty sponsor intend to publish the results of the collaboration?

Examples of non-US persons invited to campus that should be screened include interns (paid or unpaid) and visiting scholars. Conference attendees with limited access to CMU facilities need not be screened. For additional information, please contact export-compliance@andrew.cmu.edu or 412-268-3745.