Over a decade ago, the National Science Board (NSB) highlighted the importance of international collaboration in its call for increased government commitment to promoting international science and engineering (S&E) research and education. The NSB also identified the National Science Foundation (NSF) as having an important leadership role in international S&E research and education activities. Among NSF's postdoctoral programs, the International Research Fellowship Program (IRFP) is unique in its emphasis on providing postdoctoral fellows with international research experiences. Established in 1992, IRFP provides financial support to postdoctoral scientists for a research experience abroad lasting from 9 to 24 months; there is no restriction on the geographical location of the hosting institution. NSF contracted with Abt Associates to conduct an evaluation of IRFP, to gather evidence about whether the IRFP program has achieved its goal of furthering the collaborative activities and international partnerships of early career STEM researchers. The evaluation found evidence that the IRFP program is meeting its goals. This report summarizes the findings from the evaluation of the International Research Fellowship Program (IRFP), which was designed to investigate the characteristics of IRFP applicants and their motivations for participation, the host researchers' motivations for participating in the program, participants' experiences in and perceptions of the program, and outcomes of the program. Findings from the evaluation of IRFP revealed important benefits of the program, on both an individual and a collective basis.

Encouraged by their institutions and governments and aided by advances in technology and communication, researchers increasingly pursue international collaborations with high hopes for scientific breakthroughs, intellectual stimulation, access to research equipment and populations, and the satisfaction of global engagement. International Research Collaborations considers what can and does go wrong in cross-national research collaborations, and how scientists can avoid these problems in order to create and sustain productive, mutually-enriching partnerships. Unfamiliar approaches to training, legal and regulatory complications, and differences in funding and administration pose challenges for collaboration that are then compounded by the need to satisfy the requirements of different research systems. To help today’s international researchers create the best possible partnerships, chapters by funding officers, diplomats, attorneys, publishers, regulators, graduate students and postdocs, industry researchers, administrators, and scholars of responsible research address the following key trouble spots: how research is organized and funded the legal and normative environments of research differences in regulation and oversight variation in graduate education and postdoctoral training. International Research Collaborations will provide valuable insights to researchers who are collaborating or who intend to collaborate, as well as to administrators, funders, regulators, editors, and policy-makers involved in cross-national research.

Part of the International Studies in Higher Education series, International Research Collaborations considers what can go wrong in cross-national collaborations, and how scientists can avoid these problems.

Among the National Science Foundation's (NSF) postdoctoral programs, the International Research Fellowship Program (IRFP) is unique in its emphasis on providing postdoctoral fellows with international research experiences. Established in 1992, IRFP provides financial support to postdoctoral scientists for a research experience abroad lasting from 9 to 24 months; there is no restriction on the geographical location of the hosting institution. IRFP aligns closely with the National Science Board's call for NSF to support the international science engagement of scientists and engineers. NSF contracted with Abt Associates to conduct an evaluation of IRFP, to gather evidence about whether the IRFP program has achieved its goal of furthering the collaborative activities and international partnerships of early career STEM researchers. The evaluation found evidence that the IRFP program is meeting its goals, which are to: (1) Introduce early career scientists and engineers to opportunities for international research collaboration; (2) Build research capacity and global perspective of participants; and (3) Forge long-term relationships between U.S. and foreign S&E researchers. This report presents the findings from the evaluation of IRFP, which was designed to investigate the characteristics of IRFP applicants and their motivations for participation, the host researchers' motivations for participating in the program, participants' experiences in and perceptions of the program, and outcomes of the program. The report describes the methodology used to conduct the evaluation (Chapter 2); characteristics of IRFP applicants and their motivations for participation, and the host researchers' motivations for participating in the program (Chapter 3); participants' experiences in and perceptions of the program (Chapter 4); outcomes of the program (Chapter 5); and conclusions and implications of the findings of the evaluation. The evaluation demonstrated that individuals derive important benefits from the program, both on an individual and a collective basis. Former fellows and hosts strongly endorsed the IRFP program, and would recommend IRFP to their students and colleagues. IRFP offers an opportunity for interested researchers to develop their international research collaborations early in their careers. The following are appended: (1) NSF-Generated IRFP Highlights; (2) Non-Response Bias Study; (3) Detailed Description of Impact Analysis; (4) Detailed Description of Benchmarking Analysis; (5) Surveys; and (6) Comparison of IRFP Applicants to SDR.

The globalization of science, engineering, and medical research is proceeding rapidly. The globalization of research has important implications for the U.S. research enterprise, for the U.S. government agencies, academic institutions, and companies that support and perform research, and for the world at large. As science and technology capabilities grow around the world, U.S.-based organizations are finding that international collaborations and partnerships provide unique opportunities to enhance research and training. At the same time, significant obstacles exist to smooth collaboration across national borders. Enhancing international collaboration requires recognition of differences in culture, legitimate national security needs, and critical needs in education and training. In response to these trends, the Government-University-Industry Research Roundtable (GUIRR) launched a Working Group on International Research Collaborations (I-Group) in 2008, following its meeting on New Partnerships on a Global Platform that June. As part of I-Group's continuing effort, a workshop on Examining Core Elements of International Research Collaboration was held July 26-27, 2010 in Washington, DC. One primary goal of the workshop is to better understand the risks involved in international research collaboration for organizations and individual participants, and the mechanisms that can be used to manage those risks. Issues to be addressed in the workshop include the following: (1) Cultural Differences and Nuances; (2) Legal Issues and Agreements; (3) Differences in Ethical Standards; (4) Research Integrity and the Responsible Conduct of Research; (5) Intellectual Property; (6) Risk Management; (7) Export Controls; and (8) Strategies for Developing Meaningful International Collaborations. The goal for the workshop and the summary, Examining Core Elements of International Research Collaboration, is to serve as an information resource for participants and others interested in international research collaborations. It will also aid I-Group in setting its future goals and priorities.

Rice and the role of IRRI; IRRI and national programs; Genetic resources; Varietal improment; Advances in rice production technology; Integrating rice technology into farmers' production systems; Impact of modern rice technology; Training and communication.

The concept of postdoctoral training came to science and engineering about a century ago. Since the 1960s, the performance of research in the United States has increasingly relied on these recent PhDs who work on a full-time, but on a temporary basis, to gain additional research experience in preparation for a professional research career. Such experiences are increasingly seen as central to careers in research, but for many, the postdoctoral experience falls short of expectations. Some postdocs indicate that they have not received the recognition, standing or compensation that is commensurate with their experience and skills. Is this the case? If so, how can the postdoctoral experience be enhanced for the over 40,000 individuals who hold these positions at university, government, and industry laboratories? This new book offers its assessment of the postdoctoral experience and provides principles, action points, and recommendations for enhancing that experience.

International policies and activities of the research Councils : Ninth report of session 2006-07, Vol. 2: Oral and written Evidence