Working with staff members (postdoctoral researchers or visiting researchers) who have ATAS clearance
What is the Academic Technology Approval (ATAS) Scheme?
The Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) is a British government scheme for certifying foreign students and researchers for entry into the United Kingdom to study or conduct research in certain sensitive technology-related fields.
From 21 May 2021, all researcher, including post-doctoral researchers, visiting researchers and academic staff, will be required to hold an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate before applying for a visa to conduct activities on UK soil that could result in the Intangible Transfer of Technology (ITT) to weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and Advanced Conventional Military Technology (ACMT) programmes of concern (for these, see further information).
Researchers coming to the UK as a visitor to the University will need to apply under Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) before they begin any research subject to ATAS. If the research focus is changed at any time a new ATAS certificate will be required.
Researchers who have a valid visa and were employed by the University before 21 May 2021 do not need to retrospectively apply for ATAS approval.
For support in determining whether yourself, your postdoctoral researchers or visiting researchers please email:
- hrservices@manchester.ac.uk
The requirement of ATAS clearance for that project must be taken as a flag that it may fall under export controls and may require an export licence. You should self-assess the project to determine if your research involves any controlled goods or technology. Additionally, export controls checks are required on collaborating entities based in a key countries even if no controlled items are identified.
If the project involves only collaborators or funders affiliated to UK entities and aspects of the project are controlled
- You can proceed with the project as normal as there is no export taking place
- You should inform them that the information you will be handing them is controlled. Please use the following statements
If the project involves collaborators or funders affiliated to non-UK entities and aspects of the project are controlled
- Fill in and submit an Export Controls Compliance request (online form) with the Regulatory Compliance Team
- The controlled data must not leave the UK borders until clearance. This means that you must not share any controlled data with your collaborators or funders until clearance (confirmation that a licence is not required or that a licence has been granted) for your project is provided. This may take up to 8 weeks
If your collaborators or funders are based in a key country and you self-assessed the project as not-controlled
- Fill in and submit an Export Controls Compliance request (online form) with the Regulatory Compliance Team
- Do not share any data with your collaborators or funders until clearance (confirmation that a licence is not required or that a licence has been granted) for your project is provided
Please be aware that the PI is responsible for self-assessment of the project, this should be undertaken annually or whenever any aspect of the project changes.
Where a ATAS certificate is refused, the individual is NOT permitted to commence work remotely. This includes where the ATAS decision is under appeal. No work should be undertaken, regardless of location, until an ATAS certificate is granted.