We provide the guidance, tools, and resources for staff and faculty planning and administering research, projects, or programs abroad.
About Global Operations Support
Planning your activity abroad
Whether you are initiating or expanding a program in another country or conducting a long-term research project abroad, there is considerable planning and organization required that involves unfamiliar laws, regulations, taxes and more. When developing a proposal and implementation process for these global activities, you must consider a range of factors beyond those associated with the same work conducted domestically. Operational considerations for global activities may include:
- Determination of what type of legal registration (and/or registration with other host country authorities) is required
- Collaboration agreements or Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with local institutions
- Compliance with local employment and contractor services laws
- Effects of currency exchange rates on program budgets
- Ensuring the health, safety, and security of participants
- Ensuring availability of funds in-country for local expenses
- Purchasing logistics
- Visa and work permit requirements in-country for participants
- Technology infrastructure in host country to support the educational activities
- Export control laws
International project guidance
The International Projects Start-Up Guide is a resource for faculty and staff who are planning and implementing international sponsored projects. The guide provides information on:
- Issues that may impact how an international project is budgeted
- UW policies and guidelines related to international work
- Checklists, charts and contracts to use in planning, budgeting and implementing projects
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Compliance and Legal
Global programs or projects may be subject to laws both here in the U.S. and in the host country. Examples of legal issues that may arise in the host country are establishing legal status; entity or tax filing and auditing requirements; and regulations regarding physical office space.
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Human Resources in International Projects
This section provides useful information if you are planning on hiring someone in another country to support your project, working abroad yourself, transferring an employee abroad, and/or hiring foreign nationals to work in the U.S. (visiting faculty, lecturers, etc.)
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Purchasing and Payments
Global Operations Support can provide information about the methods available to pay UW employees and consultants who work abroad, foreign vendors and travel expenses. Payment methods include wire transfers, payroll, field advances, and UW check.
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Checklists and Charts
Refer to a range of Checklists and Charts that support the guidance available on these pages. These are drawn from the International Projects Start-up Guide, or have been compiled by UW offices including Accounts Payable and Tax Office to provide further detailed guidance.