Safety/Security and Funding Decisions

As a global institution, Carnegie Mellon values intercultural experiences gained when students participate in education abroad; however, international travel does have risk. Office of International Education (OIE) staff balance the benefits of these experiences with specific risk factors when advising and funding individual and group study/travel abroad. We encourage students to discuss their travel plans early and thoroughly with their families and campus advisors.

With respect to such funding allocations, the OIE staff regularly consults and shares relevant information from the U.S. Department of State and other specialized resources to help students and their families/advisors make well-informed decisions regarding health and safety issues abroad. As a long-standing practice, OIE does not provide funding to individuals or groups when the plan involves travel to countries or regions that are deemed to be high-risk due to safety/security concerns. While OIE reviews safety/security information from various sources, we rely heavily but not exclusively on the U.S. State Department’s Travel Advisories, using the following guidelines for Travel Advisory levels that are issued due to factors other than COVID-19 (conflict/unrest, natural disaster, terrorism, etc.).

OIE staff also consider various factors with regard to health and safety with respect to COVID-19.  A Level 3 or Level 4 Travel Advisory that is solely due to COVID-19 risks does not automatically rule out travel or funding opportunities; however, individuals need to carefully weigh their personal travel risks, considering their own health situation and any underlying risk factors, and realize COVID-19 risks and restrictions may limit travel and funding options.

*View additional information about our funding practice (pdf).