Common Considerations for International Travel

University researchers often travel internationally to attend conferences or meet with colleagues. Below is a list of common research security and export compliance issues that University researchers should consider when traveling internationally.

• Registration: Register your travel in the University’s travel registry. Faculty are strongly encouraged to register. Learn more about the travel registration process.
• Award requirements: Check your federal awards to determine if you are restricted from traveling internationally, if you need to obtain sponsor approval before traveling, or must follow other travel reporting procedures. Some federal sponsors may place special requirements on international travel.
• Information security: Take security precautions with the information and devices that you travel with. Review the Information Security Guidelines for International Travel for more information, including the availability of loaner devices for your travel.
• Disclosing support: If you receive support for the travel that does not come from the University, you should disclose the support as appropriate to the University through Outside Interest Reporting and to federal register sponsors. More information can be found in the University’s guidance on Gifts, Honoraria, and Travel Support and guidance on Disclosure Requirements.
• Research approvals: If you plan to conduct research activities in the foreign country, ensure that you have received all approvals necessary from research sponsors to conduct a “foreign component” of research in the location.
• Agency risk reviews: If the international travel relates to an ongoing research collaboration, consider whether the collaboration would be identified as high risk by federal agencies through their processes to conduct risk-based security reviews of fundamental research projects.
• Sharing findings: Do not share information that is confidential or proprietary to the University or one of its research sponsors, or that is subject to specific restrictions on sharing without research sponsor approval. If you are going to present or discuss information relating to your research, ensure that the information has already been published or is the result of fundamental research.
• Export compliance: Consider other export control compliance risks associated with your international travel. Such risks include engaging in collaborations with a “restricted party,” traveling with items that have export restrictions (such as high-tech physical items), engaging in activities with end-use or end-user restrictions, or engaging with countries or regions sanctioned by OFAC. Review the University’s guidance on U.S. Export Compliance and Research Security for more information.
• University travel guidelines: Review the latest information from the Office for Global Engagement regarding travel security.