The international dimension of higher education, recognized in the Provost’s white paper regarding McGill University’s future, provides great added value to the teaching, service and research missions of the University. International partnerships bring distinctive intellectual returns to our students and faculty, and visibility to our institution abroad. Reporting to the Vice-Principal (Research and International Relations), the Office of International Research supports McGill’s efforts to enhance its position among the world’s best publicly-funded, research-intensive universities. In carrying out its mandate of supporting innovation and facilitating exchange and transfer of knowledge, OIR helps ensure positive social, environmental, financial and academic outcomes in all our activities abroad.

OIR assists faculty members from project inception to completion. The Office first provides guidance on proposal preparation, then leads contract negotiation with sponsors, and, finally, oversees project implementation. Individual attention is given to all projects in our portfolio, whether at the pre- or post-award stages, regardless of their size and duration, as long as they fit within the mission of the University and academic priorities of Faculties. OIR’s mandate can be divided into four broad and interconnected areas of responsibilities:

1. Early involvement of OIR in the development of proposals ensures full technical and budgetary compliance and thus helps increase McGill’s success rate in highly competitive calls. The Office also identifies new and non-traditional sources of funding and has been very successful at diversifying the pool of sponsors that support international activities.

2. Upon project selection, the Office acts as the authorized representative of the University and takes the lead role in negotiating contractual terms and conditions with project partners and sponsors. This leadership ensures the best use of financial resources at hand, clarifies respective roles and responsibilities and mutual expectations, and contributes to reduce the risks associated with working internationally.

3. Once a contract or a grant agreement is in place, OIR’s team of professionals promotes the application of the highest standards of business practices in the operational and financial management of McGill’s international projects. This monitoring and advisory function allows project teams to dedicate themselves entirely to the academic aspects of their international project.

4. OIR plays a liaison and advocacy role vis-à-vis Canadian and foreign government agencies and private sector companies and foundations, as well as with the numerous academic and administrative units at the university which have an international component to their activities. The timely dissemination of information about opportunities and challenges enhances McGill’s capacity to adapt quickly in an increasingly complex and demanding global environment.

OIR supports the McGill academic community in over 160 active projects, worth approximately $91.2 million, and in another 80 initiatives under development.