Fundamental Research
Research conducted by Cal Poly Pomona researchers is generally considered fundamental research when there are no restrictions on publishing and the results are normally shared openly with the wider academic or scientific community. Export control regulations include an exemption for fundamental research (see below); however, this exemption is sometimes misunderstood to mean that export control rules do not apply at all. In practice, export control regulations may still be relevant, even when research qualifies as fundamental research.
"Fundamental research means research in science, engineering, or mathematics, the results of which ordinarily are published and shared broadly within the research community, and for which the researchers have not accepted restrictions for proprietary or national security reasons." (15 CFR 734.8)
"Through fundamental research in science and engineering at accredited institutions of higher learning in the U.S. where the resulting information is ordinarily published and shared broadly in the scientific community. Fundamental research is defined to mean basic and applied research in science and engineering where the resulting information is ordinarily published and shared broadly within the scientific community, as distinguished from research the results of which are restricted for proprietary reasons or specific U.S. Government access and dissemination controls. University research will not be considered fundamental research if:
(i) The University or its researchers accept other restrictions on publication of scientific and technical information resulting from the project or activity; or
(ii) The research is funded by the U.S. Government and specific access and dissemination controls protecting information resulting from the research are applicable." (22 CFR 120.34)