Foreign Travel

Foreign travel is an essential component of any grant proposal for which to plan, contact our office regarding and receive preapproval. Outside of potential travel hazards, Federal requirements exist governing carriers that may be used (see below) and transportation of goods and materials through certain countries. Please read on for some important notes regarding foreign travel, and as always, please contact us with any questions or concerns.

Stay safe

Travelers should check with ORGA staff and the State Department website for recent information about traveling abroad. Travel warnings and advisories go out regularly and it is best to stay informed.

Sending Items or Conducting Research Abroad

Please note that any materials other than writings you may be planning to send abroad may require the College to secure an export license. While the nature of the collaboration or research may not appear to require oversight, certain types of materials you send will require a license no matter where they are being sent to, just as certain countries (such as Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Sudan, Zimbabwe) will require a license no matter the type of item being sent in accordance with Federal regulations. Simply, if you are planning on collaborating with a colleague outside the country or transporting items to another country, especially items of a scientific nature, it is best to contact our office to learn which regulations apply to your particular case and what, if any, license should be acquired to proceed with your work.

Foreign travel on federal grants

Federal grantees must travel with an American air carrier. This is a Federal mandate as part of the Fly America Act. If no American carrier is available, you must then fly with an American-affiliated international carrier. For a more detailed description, please visit the National Institutes of Health Fly America FAQ.

Currency exchanges

Any money spent using foreign currency must be reported in US Dollars (USD) on your travel report. Further, you must furnish a copy of the exchange rate at the time of travel. This information is easily obtained from any newspaper's Business section. Currency exchange rates are also available online, and it is acceptable to print the results from this webpage and include it with your travel report.

Hiring Personnel