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This web page provides a brief overview of some of the operational and compliance issues to keep in mind as you engage in international activities.  Your school and department administrators can help you navigate these issues as a first point of contact.

Travelling with students and staff

If you will be leading a group of students on an international trip, the Office of International Programs (OIP) can help provide support to students and trip leaders and provide useful orientation and information.  Please feel free to contact OIP at 215-898-1640.

Travel Services

Penn’s Office of Travel Services works with a number of preferred agencies that offer valuable resources for international travel, including easier billing, insurance protections, and compliance with the Fly America Act.  Visit the Travel Services website and the Know Before You Go brochure.

Insurance Protection

Penn’s Office of Risk Management and Insurance maintains insurance, which may help protect you and the University in the event of a problem overseas, covering such areas as general liability, professional liability, worker’s compensation, and property. Contact your school or department administrator who will work with the Office of Risk Management and Insurance .

Institutional Agreements

One of your institutional partners may want to sign an institutional agreement with Penn. If you need to sign such an agreement, it is important to allow plenty of time to consult with the Office of General Counsel, your Dean’s Office, and the Office of the Provost to help ensure that the agreement conforms to University guidelines. Please contact the Office of the Provost at 215-746-4737 if you have any questions or would like to discuss a potential agreement in advance. 

Research Considerations

The same institutional requirements that apply to research on campus continue to apply when there is an international component to your research. These requirements include:

• Human Subject Protections
• Penn’s Office of Regulatory Affairs and Institutional Review Boards ensure review and approval of human subjects protections.
  
  
• Animal Subjects Protections
• Penn’s Office of Regulatory Affairs and Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee ensure review and approval of animal subjects protections.
  

• Sponsored Research Requirements
• Please contact Penn’sOffice of Research Servicesto help ensure compliance with federal law, granting agency requirements, and other applicable requirements.  
  
  
• Export Controls
• International research may also involve export controls considerations. For questions about export control, please contact the Office of General Counsel at 215-746-5200.

Operating Overseas: Hiring, Managing Funds, Purchasing, and Taxes

Operating overseas often requires hiring people, money management, and purchasing goods or services. In addition, overseas activities often have tax implications.  Together with your school administrators, the central offices at Penn responsible for these areas can help provide support in these areas to ensure that your international activities run smoothly.

Please email questions to intlsupport@lists.upenn.edu

Other Compliance Issues

If you are unsure about whom to contact on a specific issue, or have a compliance or operational question not covered here, please contact Penn’s Office of Audit, Compliance, and Privacy at 1-215-P-COMPLY or visit the website.  You may also contact the Office of General Counsel at 215-746-5200.