FIC reviews NIH international bilateral and/or multilateral collaborative program agreements, recommends policies, represents NIH in discussions about processes and procedures for review of all international agreements with HHS and Department of State, and recommends approaches and content of international arrangements.

FIC facilitates NIH ICO participation in Joint Committee Meetings with a focus on health research that is part of U.S. Science and Technology Agreements with a foreign country and represents, where appropriate, the NIH organization.

FIC provides summaries of the status of NIH international activities in response to requests for information to the relevant NIH Offices of the Director. FIC also provides summaries, drawn from public databases, to ICO Directors, staff of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), other Federal agencies, and foreign delegations and Embassy staff through appropriate channels. FIC may produce NIH internal reports on NIH international activities and NIH’s international scientific footprint, which will be shared with the ICOs and the NIH Office of the Director, as appropriate.

FIC also serves as an information resource to the Director, NIH, and the ICOs on the organization, funding, research trends, and capabilities of foreign countries and their major biomedical research and funding institutions with which the NIH shares or may share collaborative research interests.

Coordination of NIH International Activities

FIC serves as the principal multi-ICO point of contact with the Office of Global Affairs (OGA), Office of the Secretary, DHHS; other Public Health Service (PHS) and Federal agency international offices; the Department of State; U.S. missions abroad; foreign missions in the United States; foreign government agencies and officials; and international organizations, and, when delegated,  represents NIH on relevant international topics with the White House Office of Science & Technology Policy (OSTP), National Security Council and other White House convened working groups.

FIC may participate with ICO international representatives at meetings involving the international interests of NIH or it may, on request, represent individual ICOs at such meetings.

FIC coordinates responses from ICOs to the OGA for annual multilateral events, such as the WHO Executive Board and the World Health Assembly. FIC provides feedback to NIH ICOs regarding relevant international policy changes and outcomes.

Provision of Liaison with ICO International Representatives

FIC will share relevant information with ICO international representatives, discuss perspectives and plans regarding international activities and request input into issues that affect the conduct of NIH international activities and the implementation of related policies, procedures and programs.

FIC also shares pertinent scientific and technical information with the larger NIH community interested or engaged in international research through appropriate interest groups.

Negotiation and Clearance of International Arrangements and Commitments

FIC provides policy guidance to the ICOs in the negotiation of arrangements for cooperation with foreign institutions, organizations and agencies, or multinational organizations.

FIC develops and routes all arrangements on behalf of NIH, when they include multiple ICOs, or when requested by a specific ICO, for required review and clearances through OGA and the Department of State.

For binding arrangements that include multiple ICOs, for binding arrangements that are on behalf of NIH, or when individual ICOs request FIC assistance for binding agreements, FIC applies, through OGA, to the Department of State for Circular 175 (C-175) authority to negotiate an agreement that is covered under the Department of State’s C-175 authority.

FIC will consult with the ICOs concerning international matters that may involve the use or commitment of ICO resources or that may be within the area of interest or responsibility of an ICO. FIC does not make commitments for resources or funds on behalf of an ICO.

Department of State Review of Foreign Grants and Contracts

On behalf of the Director of NIH, FIC is responsible for requesting and documenting, as appropriate, clearances from the Department of State through the Foreign Award and Component Tracking System (FACTS) for all NIH grants and contracts that involve a foreign component. Foreign components are defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement Chapter 16.2 Grants to Foreign Organizations, International Organizations, and Domestic Grants with Foreign Components. ICO procedures for implementing this requirement are outlined in NIH Manual Chapter 6325-1 and Chapter 6307-3.

FIC serves as the principal point of contact for the Department of State staff at U.S. Embassies abroad for issues arising from FACTS related State Department Clearance requests.

Coordination of NIH Responses to Inquiries on International Matters

FIC coordinates NIH positioning and responses to urgent global issues and inquiries about international matters. These inquiries may be directed to the NIH from the OGA, other Federal agencies, the Congress (in coordination with the NIH Office of Legislative Policy and Analysis), the media (in coordination with relevant NIH OD or ICO communications office), the public, multinational organizations, or foreign entities.

FIC advises and consults with the ICOs concerning any inquiries or requests concerning international matters that involve or affect the NIH as a whole. FIC provides relevant ICOs with NIH summary responses to inquiries concerning international matters, where appropriate.

Serving as the Focal Point for Coordination of Foreign Visitors to the NIH - 

FIC advises the Director, NIH, and the ICOs of pending visits to the NIH by high-level foreign visitors and delegations and arranges appropriate programs for these visitors.

Coordination of Relevant Bilateral Scientific Programs - 

FIC may facilitate the establishment and execution of individual intramural bilateral formal training and exchange programs, as well as relevant extramural co-funding programs that involve more than one NIH ICO. As requested, FIC will serve as Secretariats and principal NIH points of contact for the foreign partnering organization.

The ICOs are to inform FIC of invitations to, or plans by staff to participate in: (1) meetings that are called by the OGA, other PHS and Federal international offices, the Department of State, U.S. missions abroad, foreign missions in the U.S., foreign government agencies and officials, and international organizations; and (2) meetings that may have a bearing on international activities by other NIH ICOs or NIH as an organization, the DHHS, or the Federal Government.

The ICOs are to inform FIC of significant plans, decisions, communications, contacts, or events with foreign governments or governmental organizations that may have an impact on the NIH or U.S. relations with foreign organizations and countries. Such events include the initiation or cancellation of bilateral or multilateral international programs, conferences, receptions and exchanges of important individuals or delegations. This ensures that FIC can advise the ICOs on similar discussions or interactions taking place at NIH to assure cohesive approaches or collaborative opportunities with other ICOs.

Provision of Liaison with ICO International Representatives - 

ICOs will designate appropriate staff as their international representatives who will serve as FIC’s contact person for action requests on an ongoing basis.

Negotiation and Clearance of International Arrangements and Commitments

The ICOs notify FIC of any executed bilateral or multilateral arrangements between the ICO and foreign organizations and whether these arrangements have been reported to HHS/OGA. ICO notification excludes arrangements such as Material Transfer Agreements or other technical and working-level documents.

Coordination of NIH Responses to Inquiries on International Matters - 

The ICOs are to advise and consult with FIC concerning any inquiries or requests concerning international matters that involve or affect the NIH as a whole or multiple ICOs. This is to ensure that where requested, a comprehensive and representative NIH perspective is provided.

ICO Foreign Visitors to the NIH - 

The ICOs are to advise FIC of requests or plans for visits by high-level representatives of foreign governments or agencies.