International Collaboration: Benefits, Challenges, and Best Practices

1. International Collaboration: Benefits, Challenges, and Best Practices Metropolitan St. Louis Grants Conference January 10, 2007 Kevin D. Wolf Development Officer, Government & Foundations Grants, Webster University

2. Overview • Benefits of International Collaboration • Challenges of International Collaboration • Best Practices and Organization • Collaborative Proposal-writing Tips • Funding Agencies and Resources • Finding and Approaching Partners 2

3. Benefits of International Collaboration • Collaborators provide new perspectives and expertise • Many benefits are not monetary • Exposure to international community • Joint publications • Exchange of information/data • Exposure to new insights • Access to new facilities • New research methods • Educational effect on junior researchers and students 3

4. Benefits of International Collaboration (cont.) • Some funding agencies have tax exempt status with foreign governments • Allows the full grant amount to be used abroad • Research dollars can be stretched abroad • Lowers the cost of performing important project tasks • Complementary expertise • Draws on the resources of many 4

5. Benefits of International Collaboration (cont.) • Achieves several objectives beyond project goals • Institutional Advancement • Political • Economic & Developmental • Initial partnerships may lead to opportunities for future funding • Demonstrated record of success • Institutional partnerships 5

6. Challenges of International Collaboration • Project management practices • How do the teams’ practices differ? • Export control issues • When in doubt, always check with the U.S. Department of Commerce • National security concerns • U.S. and foreign government • Taxes and customs regulations 6

7. Challenges of International Collaboration (cont.) • Funding agreement with agency • What are the indirect cost rates provided by funding agencies to each team? • What is the mechanism of funds disbursement to each team? • Is your institution required to disburse funds to your partner? • Reporting requirements • Proposal development • Requires at least 50% more lead time with a collaborator • Institutional approvals and requirements 7

8. Challenges of International Collaboration (cont.) • Award negotiations with funding agency • What proportion of funding is going to each team? • Travel and accessibility restrictions • Post-Sept. 11, 2001 Visa challenges • Restrictions on including collaborators • Hierarchy of collaborating institution • Resources and infrastructure available to partners 8

9. International Collaboration Best Practices • Must be intent and sincere on playing a proportionately appropriate role in the project • Establish a written list of expectations and deliverables • Especially as they pertain to potential challenges • Find out if the funder has special consideration for under-served groups • Female investigators • Young investigators 9

10. International Collaboration Best Practices (cont.) • Anticipate reviewers’ objections and answer them upfront • Outline important proposal elements: • Team member roles • Schedule of expected results • Budget requirements • Cost-sharing • Address the obstacles you expect to face and how you plan to overcome them • Discuss alternate plans of action 10

11. International Collaboration Best Practices (cont.) • Understand that funding renewal requests are subject to a review of previous collaborative performances • Address how the funding agency’s mission and interests will be advanced in supporting collaborators • Philosophical • Economical • Political 11

12. International Collaborative Proposal-writing Tips • Proposals should address all of the “best practices” elements above: • Explain why collaborating teams are right for each other • Illustrate how collaborator’s participation helps meet funder’s mission and interest • Demonstrate record of success each team has established; history of collaboration • Discuss contingency plans 12

13. International Collaborative Proposal-writing Tips (cont.) • Indicate mutually beneficial outcomes for collaborators • Including institutional linkages • Focus on the complementary nature of the teams • Include only the number of team members needed to complete the work • Reviewers can determine if personnel requirements are truly met 13

14. International Collaborative Proposal-writing Tips (cont.) • Define clearly the roles, responsibilities, and expectations of each team member • Budget accordingly • Discuss cost-sharing and pooling of resources • Conduct internal proposal review before final submission • Standardize the language used in the proposal 14

15. International Funding Opportunities & Resources • Government agencies • U.S. Department of State (DOS) • U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) • U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) • U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) • National Science Foundation (NSF) • National Institutes of Health (NIH) • National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) • Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA) • Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) • Homeland Security Advanced Research Project Agency (HSARPA) • National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) 15

16. International Funding Opportunities & Resources • Private Foundations and Institutions • Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation • The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation • Carnegie Corporation of New York • Open Society Institute and Soros Foundation Network • Howard Hughes Medical Institute • U.S. Civilian Research & Development Foundation • Professional Associations and Consortia • American Geophysical Union (AGU) • American Physical Society (APS) • National Academies • International Agencies • NATO (http://www.nato.int/science) • INTAS (http://www.intas.be/mainfs.htm) 16

17. Finding International Collaborators • Many Internet-based Resources • Major US and International Grants-listing Databases • For-profit and Industry Registries • University and Laboratory Websites • Scientific/Professional Associations • INTAS Partner Search Board • Consult Like-minded Institutions 17

18. Successfully Approaching International Collaborators • Provide concrete information about grant opportunities • List potential successful outcomes of proposed projects • Indicate complementary expertise you may offer your partner • Mention personal contacts and references 18

19. Summary • Collaborators • Understand the benefits • Consider the challenges • Share experience and contacts • Know where to look • Know how to approach • Opportunities and Funding Agencies • Diversify and continue to seek • Contact a program officer to discuss your eligibility • Refine application process • Write for success • Plan for next steps 19

20. Collaboration - A Key to Opportunity • Funding organizations and programs are built on collaboration and meeting the needs of numerous stake holders • Initial partnerships lead to opportunities for future funding • Begin Today - Make a contact at the conference and share experiences! 20

21. Contact Information Kevin D. Wolf Development Officer, Government & Foundation Grants Office of Development and Alumni Programs Webster University 470 E. Lockwood Ave. St. Louis, MO 63119 Direct Telephone: 314-968-5987 General Telephone: 314-968-7148 Fax: 314-968-7108 E-mail: kevinwolf43@webster.edu 21