At Rice, we are indisputably committed to excellence. One measure of that commitment is our strategic vision to grow our research enterprise. Day in and day out, our faculty members and affiliated researchers ask new questions, break new ground and pursue innovations across a wide array of academic disciplines.  

But, we thrive better when we collaborate, and a cornerstone of this culture is our long, active culture of international collaboration. Rice thrives on—and welcomes—deep, frequent collaborations with scholars all over the world.  

As we strive to realize the proven benefits of exchanging knowledge across national borders, researchers are encouraged to review the following FAQs, which provide guidance regarding international collaborations. 

1) Is it lawful for a Rice researcher to accept contracts with foreign governments?  

Often, yes; but sometimes, no.  

Many Rice faculty members receive research grants from U.S. government agencies, such as the NSF, the NIH, and the NEA, grants which impose legal obligations on Rice. A very common obligation requires Rice to disclose all affiliations, appointments, and funding that its federally-funded researchers receive from foreign governments or foreign government-sponsored entities (like many universities). If the university violates that obligation, Rice faculty can lose their U.S. grants—and future U.S. grant opportunities—forever.  

In the last few years, the U.S. government has begun to increasingly scrutinize, and sometimes even criminally prosecute university researchers who keep undisclosed ties to foreign governments (If you want to read more about that topic, click here).  

2) If you’re a Rice faculty member who receives grants from the U.S. government (e.g., NSF, DOE, NIH, DOD), how can you avoid unwanted, and even unfair, scrutiny from U.S. authorities, while keeping alive the international collaborations that are so important to your research and scholarship? 

Thankfully, this answer is relatively simple, even if it requires a few steps: 

1. Every time you receive an academic, professional, or institutional position or appointment (or affiliation) from a foreign government, a foreign university, or an international entity, you should promptly disclose it to Rice. 

2. Every time you accept any financial or in-kind support (like office/laboratory space, equipment, supplies, or employees or students supported by an outside source), or grants, from a foreign government, a foreign university, or an international entity, you should promptly disclose that to Rice. 

3. Every time you apply for a federal grant from the United States, you should disclose all the resources and financial support you receive for your research – from all international and domestic sources. 

4. Every time you’re not sure? Consider making a disclosure anyway. 

After Rice receives your disclosures, they will be analyzed, and you will receive the guidance you need to avoid problems with U.S. agencies. 

To make your disclosures, please briefly notify conflicts@rice.edu and then provide your details at https://research.rice.edu/compliance/coi/COIRM. If you have questions about international research collaborations and disclosures, please contact any of these offices: 

Office of Sponsored Projects and Research Compliance (sparc@rice.edu) 

Office of General Counsel (legal@rice.edu) 

Office of Ethics, Compliance and Enterprise Risk (rice.compliance@rice.edu)  

Omar Syed is Vice President and General Counsel at Rice. Chetna Koshy is the Associate Vice President, Chief Compliance Officer and Risk Management.