• How to Reach Us
    • 620 West Lexington Street, Fourth Floor
      Baltimore, Maryland 21201
      410-706-6723

International Project Design and Budget Development


Always allow extra time for review of a project involving international collaboration, such as funding from a non-U.S. sponsor or a proposal involving a foreign subrecipient.  In addition to Office of Research and Development, consider whether the review should include other campus or schools offices, such as Academic Affairs (if students are involved), Human Research Protections Office, Environmental Health and Safety, and others.

  • For projects involving foreign sites, are we working with an existing entity or will a long lead time be needed in the project timetable to allow for start-up?

  • Will translation services be needed, either for project activities or to submit reports to a foreign sponsor?

  • How will we communicate with the foreign sponsor or subrecipient?  

  • How will work at the foreign site be monitored?  How will quality control/assurance be achieved?

  • Will there be international shipment of materials?  Are project staff trained in the U.S. regulations for shipping and labeling?  Are permits or licenses required?

  • What is the likelihood of natural disaster or political upheaval at the foreign site/entity and what would be the consequence to the proposed project?

  • Are F&A costs permitted or restricted?

  • Have you considered costs for:
    • Travel
    • Shipping
    • Security
    • Insurance
    • Translation services
    • Emergency evacuation
    • Audit (of subrecipient entity)

  • Will the sponsored funding cover all the project costs?
  • Does the project involve human subjects research or animal research at a foreign site?

The following questionnaires were developed for an NCURA presentation, so they are not UMB-specific.  However, they contain many more questions to ask as you plan, develop, accept and manage your project that includes an international component.

Preproposal (xls) - Pre-Preaward Considerations - Before initiating proposal development
Proposal Preparation (xls) - Preaward:  Proposal preparation and project design
Award Acceptance (xls) - Award negotiation and terms that may be unique to international projects or have particular implications for international projects
Project Performance (xls) - Footprint Issues and Project Performance