International Engagements
As a research and teaching institution, the George Washington University’s reach extends globally with collaborations and university initiatives in more than 50 countries.
International engagements can be complex. The International Engagement Review (IER) process ensures the appropriate GW offices and individuals are engaged at the onset to help analyze and structure the placement or assignment successfully, where approved. Additional tax, legal, and benefits considerations and costs may apply to such engagements or placements. In some cases, these costs may be borne by schools. Therefore, it is important to consult Deans, Associate Deans for faculty, or the School Research Administrator for sponsored research projects. Their input should be obtained as outlined in these guidelines.
Decisions about engaging or placing these individuals are made in consultation with several offices, including the Tax Department, Payroll and Benefits Administration, the Office of the Vice President and General Counsel (OGC), Faculty Affairs, Human Resource Management and Development (HRMD), the Provost offices, and others as needed. These offices review all relevant U.S. and host‑country legal and regulatory requirements, including the appropriate form of engagement (such as employment, independent contracting, hiring through a third‑party agency, or a secondment agreement with a foreign institution). In many cases, these engagements or placements may create additional costs for the GW school or division, and the university may need to take certain additional steps before making an offer or finalizing the placement.
Departments that engage employees for research or academic activities outside the U.S. should also review the Guidelines for Faculty and Graduate Students Working Outside the United States before completing the International Engagement Review (IER) form.