2026 Annual Conference - Chapel hill, nc

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill will be hosting the 2026 annual Association of University Export Controls Conference on October 6-7, 2026. The conference will be preceded by a day of workshops on October 5, 2026.

October 5: Pre-conference Workshops
October 6-7: Conference

2026 Annual Conference - Preliminary Agenda

The conference will focus on U.S. export controls and research security for universities and research institutions. All compliance officers, research administrators, institutional counsel, investigators, and research leaders are welcome! 

Please note: we have now reached the attendance capacity established for this year’s conference, and registration is closed at this time. If you are still interested in attending, we strongly encourage you to add your name to the waitlist; please contact rcs@unc.edu to do so. As space becomes available, we will work through the waitlist and accommodate additional attendees whenever possible.

Pricing: 

• Early Bird Registration: $800 (March 16 through July 31)
• Regular Registration: $900 (after August 1) 
• Pre-Conference Workshop Registration: $150

Anticipated Topic Areas:

• Foundations of U.S. export controls: EAR, ITAR, and regulatory scope for academic research institutions.
• Classifying and handling controlled items and data: Identifying dual-use technologies, material transfer and equipment controls, and recordkeeping.
• Licensing and exemptions: Fundamental license pathways, campus-use exemptions, and practical limits.
• Research security frameworks: Threat assessment, insider risk, foreign influence mitigation, and sponsored-research oversight.
• Contracting and collaboration best practices: Export-control clauses, sub-awards, international collaborations, and technology transfer considerations.
• Operational compliance: Export control policies, training programs, audits, and incident response for institutions.
• Emerging risks: AI, biotech, and other rapidly evolving fields with export/research-security implications.

Registration cancellation must be requested by July 15th 2026 to be considered for a refund. Hotel room cancellations are subject to the Hotel's cancellation policy.

Hotel: 

• The Carolina Inn, $274/night (Note: conference rate link available upon conference registration) - more about the hotel