UF Research Provides Global Fellows with Key Insights into International Research Administration

Global Fellows meet with UF Research leaders to gain practical guidance on navigating international research administration and compliance.

As part of the University of Florida International Center’s Global Fellows Program, faculty fellows visited the University of Florida Office of Research to deepen their understanding of the institutional systems that support international research. The session gave fellows direct access to UF’s senior research leadership and practical guidance on navigating administrative, compliance, and operational aspects of globally engaged scholarship.

The workshop opened with remarks from Dr. David Norton, Vice President for Research, who outlined UF’s strategic approach to global research. He emphasized that successful international research starts with early planning, proactive engagement with institutional partners, and a clear understanding of compliance and administrative requirements. He also highlighted the UF Research’s role as a partner in helping faculty develop and sustain impactful international collaborations.

The session offered a broad view of UF’s research administration and practical steps for developing, implementing, and managing international projects. Senior leaders from across UF Research shared insights into the lifecycle of global research. Cassandra Farley, Senior Director and Research Integrity Officer, highlighted the importance of consulting UF’s compliance offices early when working with foreign collaborators or conducting research abroad. Tiffany Schmidt, Assistant Vice President and Director of the Division of Contracts & Grants, emphasized responsible stewardship of sponsored research and the importance of institutional approvals and coordinated administrative support to ensure successful proposal submission and award management. Michael Mahoney, Director of Research Operations & Services, provided practical guidance on preparing for international fieldwork, including coordinating travel and equipment logistics and allowing sufficient time for regulatory and operational processes. He noted that early engagement with UF Research offices helps ensure projects proceed efficiently and in full compliance with university and sponsor requirements.

Through workshops like this, the Global Fellows Program equips early-career faculty with the institutional knowledge and strategic preparation needed to conduct impactful international research. By connecting fellows directly with the offices and leaders that support global research, this program strengthens their understanding of UF’s research enterprise and builds confidence in pursuing international collaborations.

This year, the University of Florida International Center (UFIC) awarded 18 seed grants to outstanding faculty proposals selected for their originality and potential impact. Each fellowship includes a $5,000 seed grant to help fellows lay the groundwork for international research, supporting activities such as exploratory fieldwork, collaborative meetings with international partners, data collection, and access to specialized resources not available at UF. The program also includes an orientation session, a six-part workshop series, and a final symposium in which faculty fellows present their international research proposals, followed by an expert panel discussion on the challenges and opportunities of international research. Learn more about the Global Fellows Program and follow UFIC for upcoming workshop highlights and cohort milestones.