Special Considerations for International Research

From UM Office of International Programs

To protect the health and safety of our students, the University of Minnesota has adopted a series of policies and procedures requiring a release and waiver and international health insurance for all students who go abroad . This includes study, research, internships, work, and volunteer experiences abroad that are sponsored or endorsed by the University either as part of a group or as individuals.

Note that this includes graduate students conducting independent projects abroad.

There are three main components about which you should be aware:

1. Release and Waiver Form:

All students must complete and sign the release and waiver form developed by the Office of the General Counsel. The form is available at: www.umabroad.umn.edu/healthSafety/index.html


2. International Health Insurance:

All students are required to obtain the Risk Management-approved international health insurance policy. Information and application forms are available at: www.umabroad.umn.edu/healthSafety/healthInsurance.html

3. Education Abroad Suspension Committee: Any faculty member, department, college, or individual student proposing a student program or activity abroad in a country on the U.S. State Department travel warning list [ http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html] must gain prior approval. The University has created the Education Abroad Suspension Committee to consider these requests and also the suspension of existing programs in countries that are added to the list.  Requests should be submitted electronically two months in advance of departure. See guidelines at: www.international.umn.edu/travel_warning/

Colleges, departments, and individual faculty and staff who lead programs abroad must ensure that all students meet these requirements. I encourage you to share this information with faculty, staff, and students where appropriate. Below you will find a sample wording that you could use in publicizing these new procedures. Thank you for your assistance with this important matter.