Dear Vice Presidents, Deans, Directors and Department Chairs,
As a great university, we are globally engaged. Our mission is strengthened by our connections beyond the university, including international collaborations that advance education, understanding, scholarship, service, and research. Our global activities require thoughtful management of the risks associated with international travel. To support the health, safety, and security of university travelers, we have developed new procedures to manage international travel risks and outline the responsibilities of travelers and the University as a whole.
To comply with federal guidelines, the University System of Maryland (USM) policy governing international travel, and UMD travel procedures, we are coordinating efforts across the Divisions of Research, Academic Affairs, and Administrative Services, as well as Travel and Card Services. Given current security risks, protecting UMD travelers is a priority, particularly when travel is to restricted or sanctioned countries, or countries designated as Level 4 by the U.S. State Department. The new international professional travel procedures align with existing procedures with federal funding agency requirements as set forth in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy’s (OSTP) Guidelines for Research Security Programs at Covered Institutions.
The updated University of Maryland International Professional Travel Procedures will be effective August 27, 2026. They apply to all faculty, staff, and graduate students traveling internationally for professional reasons, whether that travel is institutionally funded or externally funded.
Key points of the procedures: - All professional international travel must be submitted in Concur at least two weeks prior to the departure date and be approved by the next-level supervisor before travel. Note that travel pre-approval is required before any expenses are incurred.
- If an employee or graduate student is representing UMD or uses their UMD affiliation during the trip, that portion of the trip is deemed professional travel and must comply with the procedures.
- All employees and graduate students must complete annual Global Safety & Security training offered by UMD before international professional travel will be approved. The training link will also be available in Concur and will be triggered when travel requests are submitted.
- Additional steps, as outlined in the Procedures document, will be required for those traveling to Restricted, Sanctioned, or State Department Level 4 countries.
- All university employees and applicable graduate students must also ensure that they disclose international and/or outside professional activities in inTERP, in accordance with the University of Maryland Policy on Conflict of Interest and Conflict of Commitment.
For those of you with sponsored projects, you may also be required to obtain prior approval from the sponsor before you travel abroad. Review the terms of your awards to identify and comply with all applicable travel pre-approvals or restrictions.
The Research Security Office website also provides supporting information and FAQs to guide travelers through the new travel registration process. Please visit the Research Security website for additional information and updates. Questions can be directed to intltravelsecurity@umd.edu, and Jen Boone, Program Manager, Research Security Office or Leanne Johnson, Director of International Risk Management will respond. |
