Faculty International Conference Travel Guidance
Overview
University of Utah faculty, staff, and students are often invited to attend international
conferences and meetings. This is an exciting opportunity to engage with colleagues
from around the world! International conference attendees should be mindful of several
key points related to international travel and conference/meeting attendance
Attend an International Conference or Meeting
- Individuals who are invited to attend a conference or meeting in a comprehensively sanctioned country (Cuba, Iran, Syria, and North Korea) should be aware that such activity in a sanctioned country may be prohibited. Where attendance is permitted, speaking at such a conference is often a ‘service’ and is prohibited under OFAC. If you wish to attend and/or present at a conference in Cuba, Iran, Syria, or North Korea, please contact the Research Security Office as soon as possible for assistance.
- Information shared or presented at a conference or meeting is generally excluded from export controls under the Public Information. Most conference presentations, pamphlets, handouts, etc. are not subject to export controls. However, if attendance at the conference is restricted or contingent on accepting a Non-Disclosure agreement, the information shared may not qualify as “public.” If you have questions or concerns about whether conference or meeting material is subject to export controls, please contact the Research Security Office.
- When attending a conference or meeting overseas, attendees should also be careful not to include or discuss any proprietary, unpublished, and/or export-restricted data. Many travelers find it helpful to plan ahead: think about relevant topics and work that is already in the public domain and stick to those topics. Likewise, plan ahead for how you will address questions related to a restricted topic. Consider statements such as “I can speak generally about that area, but much of that information is proprietary and I want to respect our confidentiality obligations,” which address the issue and also demonstrate your commitment to ethical behavior.
- Lastly, as with any foreign travel, faculty and staff should carefully review the information on International Travel, particularly for those traveling to a sanctioned or other high-risk destination.
Considerations Regarding Funding or Support of International Conferences
- Federal Funding Applications: Federal agencies require institutions and researchers to disclose all sources of support, both foreign and domestic, including gifts and contracts, in grant applications and through university conflict of interest procedures. Agencies may conduct a risk assessment based on foreign funding and affiliations when considering applications.
- Section 117 of the Higher Education Act: Universities must report gifts and contracts from foreign sources exceeding specific thresholds to the Department of Education under Section 117 of the Higher Education Act of 1965.
- Utah State Law: Utah Code 53B-1-201 requires Universities to report gifts and contracts from foreign sources exceeding specific thresholds. Additionally, the law states that a higher education institution may not seek or accept funding support from a restricted foreign entity or an entity that passes on funding support from a restricted foreign entity. This includes Chinese entities.
- Funding support may include receiving an honorarium for speaking, paying for travel expenses, lodging, and food. Please contact the Research Security Office for more information.
Additional Resources
More faculty resources for international collaborations is available through the Office of Global Engagement.