Marcia,

The World Laboratory seems to be a legitimate organization, judging from
the names of some of the continuing members, some of whom are quite
well-known  (see: http://www.federationofscientists.org/WfsWorldLab.asp).
Clearly they have an "independence" agenda, and probably have never heard
of OMB or GASB.

If your institution will allow the "young scientist" to affiliate with your
institution and come under your workman's comp, health center, and other
conditions and perquisites of employment, but be paid directly by a faculty
member, AND if your faculty member is willing to set up a personal banking
account to manage the funds, and will sign off holding the institution
completely harmless and will do all the work for the INS, then there
probably is nothing to worry about.   ...

I nice letter back from you suggesting that employment and its surround of
conditions is an INSTITUTIONAL matter might give them the opportunity to
express the real reservations they have, which doubtless are related to the
overhead you will drain away from their support to the young scientist.

Jim

"Landen, Marcia" wrote:

> Has anyone dealt with an organization called The World Laboratory? They
> have a scholarship program for young scientists from developing
> countries to work with scientists in developed countries. One of our
> faculty members has been approached to host a young scientist.
>
> Several conditions raised my eyebrows, and I'm wondering if anyone else
> has solved this problem, or if it is a scam, or what.
>
> World Lab clearly states that the funding relationship is with the
> student and instructor, and not with the host school. They say they
> "will not establish a relationship with the hosting establishment or
> abide by its administrative rules." Payments are to be made into an
> "account established by the instructor." They say a University account
> is acceptable, but I can't see how we'd set up a sponsored project
> account if they won't enter into an agreement with us. The PI,
> naturally, isn't about to use his personal bank account.
>
> How would you handle this?
>
> -Marcia
>
> Marcia Landen
> Director, Awards Coordination
> Sponsored Research Services
> Bryan Hall, Room 108
> Indiana University
> 107 S. Indiana Ave.
> Bloomington, IN 47405-7000
> 812-855-0899 (voice)
> 812-855-9943 (fax)
>
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--
James R. Brett, Ph.D., Director,
Office of University Research
California State University, Long Beach
562-985-5314  562-985-8665 fax
http://www.csulb.edu/~research/

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