Independent Graduate Student Travel

USF places the highest importance on the health, safety and security of our students when participating in any university sponsored travel.  All USF travelers should familiarize themselves with USF's Travel Guidelines and USF travel-related health protocols.   Graduate and Doctoral students traveling within the U.S. or abroad to conduct program related fieldwork, research or internships during Intersession 2025 or Summer 2025 are required to submit a travel proposal and obtain approval prior to departure.  Students are advised to not book airfare as submitting a travel proposal does not guarantee approval.  The travel proposals are due Oct 1 for Intersession travel and April 1 for Summer travel. For travel outside these terms, the travel proposals must be submitted a minimum of 8 weeks prior to intended date of departure.  The process for submitting are as follows: 

Travel Proposal

1.  Research/Internship proposal: 1-2 page description of the intended project being carried out in the host destination and city.   Learn About Your Destination (Entry/Exit Requirements including travel advisory, safety and security information).

2.  Faculty Advisor Letter of Support

a.     This should be a letter from student's advisor and can include contacts the advisor has in the region. It should also support why the research or internship has to be done in the proposed country.  See FAQ below for further guidance.  

3.  Host Location Emergency Response Plan and COVID-19 contingency plan:  Obtain this information from internship site or if independent research student must develop detailed contingency plans to address steps to take in case of medical emergency or security incidents such as political unrest or in the event of a natural disaster including COVID-19 contingency plan in case of exposure, test positive and need to quarantine/isolate in host destination.  

4.  Schedule of daily activities or itinerary and dates of travel

5.  List of known and possible activities 

Please refer to the FAQ* for further information and guidance in preparing the travel proposals.  Travel proposals should be collected and reviewed by the student's respective program office by Oct 1 for Intersession/Winter 2025 and April 1 for Summer 2025 travel.  For travel outside these terms, the travel proposals must be submitted a minimum of 8 weeks prior to intended date of departure.  

Upon approval 

1. Only after receiving official approval, complete mandatory UNDERGRADUATE/GRADUATE STUDENT TRAVEL REGISTRY.   Your myUSF credentials are required to log-in.    This must be completed two weeks before departure.  

Last Updated June 7, 2024