Travel

Travel may be necessary to support your project, including:

• Meetings with collaborators
• Conference attendance
• Local project-related travel (e.g., survey research)

All travel costs must follow sponsor-specific rules and UMB policies. Always review the sponsor guidelines to ensure the proposed travel is allowable.

Domestic and Foreign Travel

Travel costs may include:

• Airfare, lodging, meals, and incidentals
• Ground transportation or mileage
• Registration fees for conferences or meetings

Budget Justification:

For each trip, provide:

• Purpose of travel
• Number of travelers and trips
• Destinations
• Cost estimates (e.g., airfare + lodging + per diem × number of days)

Travel costs are subject to UMB Travel Policy limits, even if the sponsor allows more generous amounts. Refer to UMB per diem and mileage rates.

International Travel

Definition:

• NIH defines foreign travel as travel outside the U.S. (including its territories) and Canada.
• NSF includes Canada as a foreign country.

Air Travel Requirements:

• Fly America Act: Federally funded international travel must use U.S. flag carriers whenever possible.
• Code-share flights: Allowed if the U.S. carrier’s designator code appears next to the flight number on tickets or boarding passes.
• Open Skies Agreements: International transportation agreements that meet Fly America requirements.

Budgeting Tip: Use U.S. flag carrier or Open Skies flights for international travel unless the sponsor explicitly allows exceptions.

References and Resources

• Advice for traveling with technology
• Advisories for travelers (U.S. State Department) 
• Country sanctions and export compliance for travel abroad
• Fly America Act FAQs 
• Federal Travel Regulation excerpt on U.S. Air Carriers
• Health advice for travelers (CDC) 
• International SOS travel insurance 
• Mobile and data security while traveling abroad 
• NIH Policy for Foreign Travel on NIH Grants 
• Open Skies Partners (U.S. Department of State) 
• Open Skies Agreements (U.S. General Services Administration) 

Key Compliance Reminders

1. Always follow the sponsor’s travel rules.
2. Document purpose, travelers, destinations, and costs in the budget justification.
3. Use U.S. flag carriers or Open Skies flights for federally funded international travel.
4. Adhere to UMB Travel Policy per diem and mileage limits.