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Office of Research and Innovation
Research Administration and Compliance

Research Security: Countries Presenting Added Risk

Due to federal rules and regulations, there are certain countries that present added risk for NC State activities.  These countries  include Countries of Concern identified by the CHIPS and Science Act (and as further designated by the U.S. Secretary of State), and Countries/regions subject to U.S. Comprehensive Sanctions. These countries present increased compliance and research security risks, as well as travel safety risks.

Countries of Concern

The government considers countries with military and related capabilities capable of posing a significant threat to U.S. national security to be Countries of Concern. At present, these countries include:

  • China, including Macau and Hong Kong, but excluding Taiwan
  • Iran
  • North Korea
  • Russia

Contact the NC State Research Security Team for up-to-date guidance on working with institutions or colleagues in Countries of Concern.

Countries/Regions Subject to U.S. Comprehensive Sanctions

Sanctioned countries are subject to broad political, military and/or economic sanctions through executive orders or federal law. Contact the NC State Export Control Office  if your research, teaching or other university activities involves people or entities in comprehensively sanctioned or broadly sanctioned countries. 

Please visit Working with International Staff and Students | Research Administration and Compliance to learn more about how these federal rules may impact NC State students and staff who are citizens of these countries.

Comprehensively sanctioned countries/regions include:

  • Iran
  • Cuba
  • Syria
  • North Korea
  • The Crimea, Donetsk People’s Republic and Luhansk People’s Republic regions of Ukraine

We generally cannot conduct business with residents of the comprehensively sanctioned countries, even if they are not Entities of Concern.

Broadly Sanctioned Countries

Belarus, Russia, and Venezuela are all very broadly sanctioned.

  • Venezuela: Interactions with government-owned businesses in Venezuela, including many banks and universities, are limited
  • Russia and Belarus: Interactions with Russia and Belarus are significantly restricted. Contact the NC State Export Control Office for up-to-date guidance on working with residents or entities in Russia and Belarus.