Research Compliance

Cal State Monterey Bay and the University Corporation at Monterey Bay (UCorp) are committed to maintaining the integrity of research conducted at the university. To comply with federal and state regulations, Principal Investigators and key personnel on certain sponsored projects must disclose financial interests that could present a conflict with their research responsibilities.

Disclosures are required for many projects funded by:

• The Public Health Service (PHS), including the National Institutes of Health (NIH)
• The National Science Foundation (NSF)
• Certain non-federal sponsors who adopt PHS conflict of interest regulations

For specific details, please review NIH Financial Conflict of Interest website.

Who Must Disclose?

You must disclose if you are:

• Responsible for the design, conduct or reporting of a PHS- or NSF-funded research project
• Considered senior/key personnel or anyone contributing substantively to a project
• A spouse, registered domestic partner or dependent child of someone in the above roles

When Must Disclosure Occur?

Disclosures must be submitted:

• At the time of proposal submission for PHS or NSF funding
• At least annually for the duration of the award
• Within 30 days of acquiring or discovering a new significant financial interest

What Must Be Disclosed?

Under PHS rules, you must report financial interests related to your institutional responsibilities if they meet any of the following:

• Publicly traded equity exceeding $5,000 in value (excluding mutual or retirement funds not under your control)
• Non-public equity or ownership exceeding $5,000
• Compensation for services exceeding $5,000 within the past 12 months (excluding income from seminars or teaching at government or nonprofit institutions)
• Payments for intellectual property exceeding $5,000, unless from the CSU Regents
• Sponsored or reimbursed travel, unless from a government agency or U.S. academic institution

Mandatory FCOI Training

All PHS-funded investigators are required to complete Financial Conflict of Interest (FCOI) training prior to beginning work on a funded project.

CSUMB uses the CITI Program (Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative) to provide online certification. The training meets federal requirements and is also recognized for professional development.

• Login to CITI
• CITI Help Desk / Knowledgebase

Upon completion, your certification is automatically sent to CSUMB’s Sponsored Programs Office. You may return to CITI to update your training or print certificates as needed.

Cal State Monterey Bay supports academic freedom and the creation of new knowledge through research, scholarship and innovation. Intellectual property — including scholarly writing, creative work, inventions and discoveries — is an important part of that mission.

For systemwide policies on intellectual property, including copyright and patent guidelines, visit the CSU Chancellor’s Office website.

For questions specific to CSUMB, contact the Office of Graduate Studies and Research at research_dean@csumb.edu.

Cal State Monterey Bay is in the process of developing a formal X-ray Safety Program to support the safe and compliant use of radiation-producing equipment in research and academic settings.

During this interim period, please direct all questions or requests related to radiation safety to the Office of Research at research_dean@csumb.edu.

We appreciate your commitment to maintaining a safe research environment. Updates will be posted as the program develops.

Export control regulations are federal laws that restrict the transfer of certain information, technologies, and goods to foreign countries or foreign nationals.

These laws are designed to:

• Protect U.S. national security
• Prevent the spread of weapons of mass destruction
• Support U.S. foreign policy and international agreements
• Promote human rights and regional stability
• Maintain the nation’s economic competitiveness

Export controls apply to physical shipments, digital communications and even verbal exchanges, whether abroad or within the U.S.

What Regulations Apply?

The main export control regulations are:

• International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) — governs defense-related articles and services
• Export Administration Regulations (EAR) — covers dual-use items and technologies
• Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) — enforces trade sanctions and embargoes

How Export Control May Affect You

Export control may apply to your activity if you:

• Travel internationally with research materials or equipment
• Communicate with foreign nationals about non-public or proprietary research
• Ship or carry items overseas
• Receive or purchase items from foreign vendors
• Share controlled data or software with foreign nationals, even within the U.S.

To ensure compliance, please contact the Office of Research before proceeding with international research, collaboration, or data sharing.

Resources and Training

Export Control Guidance

• U.S. Bureau of Industry and Security Training

CITI Export Control Certification

CSUMB researchers may complete export control training through the CITI Program, which meets compliance standards.

To get started:

• Visit citiprogram.org
• Log in or create an account
• Search for and “Add a Course” in Export Compliance
• Follow the instructions in the CITI Getting Started Guide

For help with course selection or CITI access, refer to the CITI Knowledgebase.

Recreational drone flights are not permitted on CSUMB property.

All Uncrewed Aerial System (UAS) (drone) flights conducted on campus or for CSUMB purposes must be approved in advance.

This includes any flight for teaching, research, videography, surveying or other CSUMB-affiliated activities, whether on campus or off site.

How to Request Flight Approval

To request approval for a UAS flight:

• CSUMB students, staff and faculty — Use the CSU Drones App (OtterID required)
• Non-CSUMB entities — Use the CSUMB sUAS Flight Request Form

Submit your request at least five full business days before the planned flight. If flying near residential areas or submitting insurance documentation, allow seven business days.

For approval, your request must include:

• Proof of FAA Part 107 certification or valid COA/Section 333 exemption
• FAA registration number (clearly marked on aircraft)
• Detailed sUAS specifications
• Complete flight plan with coordinates and map
• Proof of insurance (for non-CSUMB operators)
• Compliance with FAA regulations, including Remote ID rules

If you have questions, please email uassafety@csumb.edu.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I fly a drone recreationally at CSUMB?

No. Recreational or hobbyist drone flights are prohibited by CSUMB and FAA rules.

I’m flying off campus. Do I still need approval?

Yes, if your flight is connected to CSUMB (e.g., academic, research or promotional use). Flights not affiliated with CSUMB do not require university approval.

I’m a contractor flying for a CSUMB project. Do I need approval?

Yes. All UAS flights on behalf of CSUMB — on or off campus — require approval through the appropriate process.

What is the Otter LZ?

The Otter LZ is CSUMB’s dedicated drone flight area, designed for testing, instruction and data collection. It is FAA-recognized as a FRIA (FAA-Recognized Identification Area) and features permanent ground control points for precise mapping.

What happens after my flight is approved?

• Fly only at your approved time and location
• Follow all FAA Part 107 rules
• Report incidents immediately to uassafety@csumb.edu
• Submit your post-flight report within three days

Insurance Requirements for Non-CSUMB Operators

Outside entities must provide proof of:

• Aviation Liability Insurance — $1M per occurrence, $2M aggregate
• General Liability Insurance — $2M per occurrence
• Workers’ Compensation — As required by California law

Additional requirements:

• CSUMB and its affiliated organizations must be listed as additional insured
• Coverage must be primary and non-contributory
• Policy must include a 30-day notice of cancellation

Questions about insurance? Contact CSUMB Risk Management.

Additional Resources

Otter LZ Weather Dashboard

This live dashboard from Ambient Weather provides real-time weather data for CSUMB’s Otter LZ drone flight area. It displays current conditions such as temperature, wind speed, humidity and barometric pressure.

View the Otter LZ Weather Dashboard.

LAANC and the FAA

The FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) LAANC (Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability) website provides drone pilots with access to real-time airspace authorizations in controlled airspace at or below 400 feet.

Visit the LAANC website.