15.05.04.I1 High Risk Global Engagements and High Risk International Collaborations

Approved: February 10, 2023
Next Scheduled Review: February 10, 2028

Rule Statement

Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) encourages its employees to establish global engagements in the pursuit of mutually beneficial fundamental scientific inquiry, cultural, or educational opportunities. These activities strengthen the academic and research programs and are fundamental to TTI’s mission. This rule applies to all TTI employees.

Reason for Rule

This rule is required pursuant to The Texas A&M University System (system) Regulation 15.05.04, High Risk Global Engagements and High Risk International Collaboration. TTI is committed to protecting the integrity of member research and educational programs, including the interests of all involved in contractual relationships and international collaborations — research sponsors, TTI, TTI employees, and international collaborators. Research relationships that promote equitable collaborations invigorate fundamental scientific inquiry, cultural, and educational opportunities and are fundamental to our processes.

Procedures and Responsibilities

1. DESIGNATED AUTHORIZED INDIVIDUALS

TTI’s Agency Director is the TTI Empowered Official (EO) and serves as the designated official for high risk global engagements and high risk international collaborations.

All TTI employees with authority to engage TTI in contractual arrangements subject to this rule are responsible for overseeing compliance in their areas of administrative responsibility and for supporting the TTI EO in implementing the procedures set forth by the system.

2. RISK REVIEW AND APPROVAL

2.1 On a quarterly basis, the system Research Security Office (RSO) provides member EOs with the list of Countries of Concern.

2.2 TTI employees are required to notify the TTI Ethics and Compliance Office (ECO) of any proposed international collaborations. The activity must be accurately captured by the PI Compliance Statement within Maestro at either the proposal or project establishment stage or if an international engagement cannot be captured within Maestro, it is the employee’s responsibility to notify the ECO prior to execution of any instrument or collaborative activity occurs.

2.3 The ECO provides review of proposed activities and will provide mitigation strategies for any potential conflicts of commitment, conflicts of interest, export controls or undue foreign influence that may be identified during review of proposed engagements.

2.4 Upon ECO’s review, all high risk global engagements or high risk international collaborations will be forwarded to the System RSO. The System RSO will coordinate review with the Office of General Counsel (OGC) and the Vice Chancellor for Research (VCR).

2.5 The System RSO will provide the VCR’s final determination to the TTI ECO regarding the high risk global engagement or high risk international collaboration. Denial from the VCR is final.

2.6 All TTI employees are required to complete export control training once every two years.

3. RECORD RETENTION

Documents pertaining to the review and approval process outlined in this rule will be maintained in MAESTRO for all contractual arrangements. All other international engagements will be maintained by the ECO in compliance with the System Record Retention Schedule.

Related Statutes, Policies, or Requirements

Contact Office

TTI Ethics & Compliance Office
(979) 317-2726