International Travel, Research, and Collaborations

International collaborations and engagement can create significant positive contributions to research programs, partnerships, and new discoveries. Similarly, international travel to attend conferences or meet with colleagues provides opportunities to learn and share knowledge. However, certain types of international travel, research, and other activities may introduce risks of foreign interference in US taxpayer-funded R&D and potentially to national security.

This page is a resource for best practices to take while traveling internationally to protect your work and the investments made in the US research enterprise. 

Inform CSU of international travel plans: It is recommended that you notify someone at CSU (e.g., your department chair or college dean’s office) if you will be traveling internationally and provide contact information. CSU is part of a group membership with International SOS, which provides emergency referrals and a 24/7 helpline for any medical, personal, travel, legal, or security related activity experienced while traveling abroad on University business.

Check and Follow Award requirements: If your research is funded, verify that you are not restricted from traveling internationally, if sponsor approval is required, or if special reporting is required for international travel. Contact SPRS if you are unsure of restrictions related to your award.

Disclosure of support: If your travel is supported in any way by a source outside of CSU (a grant managed by CSU is considered a CSU source of support), you should report that support as appropriate, including on any Financial Conflict of Interest form submitted as part of a grant proposal.

Research during personal international travel: You should not perform any significant research activity for a funded research program while traveling internationally, even if it is during a personal trip or vacation, unless it is explicitly approved by the funder. This includes sharing any information or findings that are confidential or proprietary to CSU or to a research sponsor. Incidental activity, such as responding to a scheduling email, is permissible. 

Note that summer contract effort cannot include vacation time and work cannot be performed in a foreign country unless explicitly allowed under the summer grant contract or research SOW.

Best Practices for International Travel Related to Research and Academic Work

When traveling internationally for work or academic purposes, it's important to take steps to protect your personal and professional information. Here are some key guidelines:

• Protect Your Devices and Data: Before you travel, make sure your laptop, phone, and other devices are secure. Avoid logging into university systems (like payroll or student records) while you're abroad, as this can pose cybersecurity risks.
• Know Where You're Going: If you're attending an international conference, check whether the country or host institution is subject to U.S. government restrictions or sanctions. This information is managed by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), and traveling to a restricted location could have legal consequences.
• Understand the Nature of the Conference:
  • Is the event open to the general public?
  • Are the topics being discussed publicly available, or are they considered sensitive or controlled under export laws?

These questions help determine whether your participation could raise compliance issues.

Teaching or Working Abroad (Including Online)

If you're teaching or collaborating internationally, even virtually, be sure to:

• Disclose Any Foreign Support: Inform your department chair and dean’s office if you're receiving funding or resources from any foreign entity. This may also need to be reported on a Financial Conflict of Interest form for a grant proposal.
• Check Export Control Rules: Some educational materials or technologies may be subject to U.S. export laws, which limit what can be shared internationally.

Consulting Work

If you're doing consulting work for an international organization or individual:

• Review Sanction Lists: Make sure the entity you're working with isn't on a U.S. government list of restricted or sanctioned parties.

What Are Export Control Laws?

Export control laws are U.S. federal regulations that limit the sharing of certain technologies, information, and materials with people or organizations outside the United States. These laws are designed to:

• Protect national security
• Prevent the spread of weapons or sensitive technologies
• Support U.S. foreign policy and trade sanctions

What Counts as an “Export”?

An “export” isn’t just shipping something overseas. It can also mean:

• Emailing or talking about sensitive research with someone who isn’t a U.S. citizen or permanent resident—even if you're both in the U.S.
• Bringing research equipment or data with you when traveling abroad.
• Collaborating with foreign researchers on projects that involve controlled technologies or information.

Even showing a foreign visitor around a lab with sensitive equipment could count as an export. Never transport research or other materials on behalf of a foreign research collaborator.

How Does This Affect University Research?

Most university research is considered “fundamental research”, which means it’s meant to be published and shared openly. This kind of research is usually exempt from export controls.

However, if your work involves:

• Military or dual-use technologies (things that could be used for both civilian and military purposes),
• Encryption software,
• Biological or chemical materials, or
• Collaborations with people or institutions in sanctioned countries,

then export control laws may apply, and you might need special permission (called an export license) to share or transport that information or equipment.

Why Is This Important?

Violating export control laws (even accidentally) can lead to:

• Fines
• Loss of research funding
• Legal issues for you or Cleveland State

If your international travel or research collaborations may conflict with any of the above, check with the Office of Research before traveling internationally, sharing research, or working with foreign collaborators on sensitive topics to review possible risks and risk mitigation plans.