Office of Academic Enrichment Undergraduate Research & Creative Inquiry

Research Abroad

Doing research in another country is exciting and certainly possible, yet it requires plenty of advanced planning. Students who wish to conduct research in a foreign country often need to make arrangements for independent projects.

Some ways in which students can conduct international research include:

  • Your Ohio State faculty research advisor has an international colleague with whom you can work independently.
  • Your Ohio State faculty research advisor is involved in an international research project and can include you.
  • You already have an international contact and you also have an advisor at Ohio State willing to supervise you on a project of your choice.
  • You know you will be studying abroad and can define a research project ahead of time so that you can successfully gather data while you’re away. Or, participate in a study abroad program that includes research as part of the curriculum. Learn more about Ohio State-sponsored study abroad trips on the Global Education website. 
  • You apply and are accepted to join a formal international research program. A few examples are listed at the bottom of this page.

Important Policies

  • Students conducting research abroad are required to maintain their primary insurance coverage and are also required to enroll for Ohio State's supplemental travel insurance, provided through HTH Worldwide Services.
  • In countries under a current Department of State Travel Warning or other locations designated high risk, undergraduate students cannot use funding or scholarship awards to travel for research purposes outside of venues approved by Ohio State. Countries currently on Department of State Travel Warning can be viewed at travel.state.gov. For further information on the policy, please contact Emma Cook, Global Health and Safety Specialist at cook.1552@osu.edu.
  • If your research involves human subjects, you will need approval from Ohio State’s Institutional Review Board (IRB) before beginning in-country research activities.

Funding and Opportunities to Conduct Research Abroad