Federal Awards

Travel is typically an allowable expense under the Uniform Guidance when done for project-specific purposes. However, it is important to review each award’s terms and conditions as individual sponsors may be more restrictive. When travel is allowable on the project, travel must be pre-approved on a Travel Budget Authorization per UNT policy.

• The travel is necessary to fulfill the research objective of the project and it directly benefits the project being charged.
• The cost for travel is reasonable and represents prudent use of the sponsor’s funds.
• There is a clearly defined relationship between the traveler and how he/she supports the work of the project that is provided in the travel documentation.

Foreign Travel

On federally funded projects all foreign travel, including that which is cost shared, should utilize US flag air-carriers whenever possible and regardless of cost or convenience. These costs need to be fully justified in the budget and any exceptions to the “Fly America Act” requirements may only occur under exceptional circumstances. Exception criteria is listed in the Federal Travel Regulation guidelines (FTR sections 301-10.135-138). Exceptions should be documented via the COI Fly America Act Exceptions Form.

A list of U.S. Certified Air Carriers is available from the US Department of Transportation: http://www.dot.gov/policy/aviation-policy/certificated-air-carriers-list.

Allowable Travel-Related Expenses

The Uniform Guidance specifically allows expenses for lodging, subsistence, and related expenses as long as they follow university policy and procedures. Reimbursements for food must be on an actual cost basis up to the per diem amount. Food expenses without itemized receipts will not be reimbursed on sponsored funds. Reimbursements for lodging expenses from sponsored funds will be capped at the per diem rate. Conference lodging rates over the per diem and per diem food reimbursements may be paid from a non-sponsored fund.

Travel guidelines are outlined on the Business Support Services webpage.

Unallowable Travel-Related Expenses

The Uniform Guidance identifies specific instances when travel expenses are unallowable.

• Business-Class or First-Class Airfare: This is unallowable except for travelers whose medical needs require these accommodations. These situations are analyzed by the university on a case-by-case basis.
• Travel Costs for Dependents: These are unallowable unless the travel is for six months or more and has sponsor prior approval.
• Temporary Dependent Care: Federal standards allow these costs only when provided for all qualified employees of the university. UNT does not have such a policy, therefore these are unallowable costs to a project.

Non-Federal Awards

The basic criteria for charging travel expenses are similar for non-Federal sponsored projects, but it is also important to be familiar with the particular requirements or restrictions of each non-Federal sponsor. When travel is allowable on the project, travel must be pre-approved on a Travel Budget Authorization per UNT policy.