Domestic and International Travel

Purpose

To identify the standards necessary to charge domestic and international travel to sponsored awards.

Reason for Policy

Travel for fieldwork, dissemination, and training activities are often essential for a successful sponsored project. It is important to ensure that all travel charges to these awards are consistent with university travel policies and procedures and any additional sponsor regulations that apply. Failure to follow applicable policies and procedures can result in a loss of sponsored funding, increased costs to the university, and greater scrutiny of sponsored awards.

Intended Audience

• Director, Department Chair, Division Head
• Faculty and Staff
• Departmental/Divisional Business Administrators
• Finance Personnel
• Sponsored Programs Administration Personnel

Policy

Travel under sponsored programs, whether domestic or international, must adhere to both University and sponsor specific guidelines. If sponsor specific guidelines for a sponsored program are more restrictive than University policy, then sponsor rules shall apply. All travel charges must meet the following three (3) tests and adhere to NIU’s travel reimbursement policies:

• The cost must be allowed under university policy and the terms of the award.
• The cost must be allocable, that is, the expense can be associated with the project with a high degree of accuracy.
• The cost must be reasonable, that is, the cost reflects what a “prudent person” would pay in a similar circumstance.