All university employees must file a request for Travel Authorization (RTA) if they are off campus (i.e. outside the Austin metro area) during the normal workday for 4 hours or more to conduct university business. See Travel Requests for more information.

An estimate of travel costs to be reimbursed is also included on the RTA. Please complete an RTA at least 5 working days in advance of the trip to ensure the form receives approval before departure. No travel reimbursement will be generated without an approved RTA on file.

Faculty - Appropriate arrangements for disposition of the faculty normal duties must be made in advance of the travel. If classes are to be missed, a qualified member of the department’s instructional staff must be identified to and approved by the departmental Chairperson as a substitute instructor. Under normal circumstances, classes should not be rescheduled.

Faculty Travel Grants – available through the Graduate School. Applications must be submitted 2 weeks in advance of departure. Eligibility: All tenured and tenure-track faculty members (Professor, Associate Professor, Assistant Professor), and emeritus faculty are guaranteed up to $1,200 per academic year for travel expenses to present original papers at scholarly and professional meetings.

Students – graduate students and undergraduate student organizations must file a RTA to be reimbursed for travel expenses. Approval by the faculty or staff sponsor is required prior to completing an RTA. See student travel policy for more information.