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Grants Program Management: Adapting to Globalization
Does “think local, act local” makes sense for grants program management?
Regina Alvarado, Principal, Strategy & Life Sciences, IQVIA
Oct 13, 2022

In this blog series, we look at the role of grants professionals in life science companies, the challenges they face working with internal stakeholders, and how technology and data-driven insights can help.

Companies supporting grants may receive requests for programs and events occurring outside their own country. Sometimes these are educational events, but more often, these requests are for charitable contributions and product donations. Through these programs, grant supporters can assist with providing important educational information and other support to underserved areas and populations. How can a grants management system help with adapting to globalization in its grant making processes? What are some considerations for a commercial grant supporter when reviewing these request types?

Streamlined Process Management

Grant management systems can enable a standardized and optimized submission process for grant requesting organizations independent of location. Once the baseline process for application submission and review is defined, it can be used for any type of application. In a similar way, application forms can be structured for consistency with minor changes based on certain aspects of the form such as request type using “if/then” logic.

In addition to request type, you may need to customize other aspects of the application submission process. For example, different types of documents may be required.

A grants management system also affords other advantages:

Questions for Consideration

Many of the typical considerations for reviewing and managing grants apply to a global grant program. A few other questions to think about include:

  • Are these activities permitted in that location?
  • What transparency reporting obligations are in effect? What information is needed to comply with disclosure requirements?
  • If the request is for a product donation, is the product approved for use in that country?
  • What happens to a donated medical device after it is used? Is the organization able to discard or destroy it in an environmentally compliant way?
  • Will the funds be provided to a locally based organization who then distributes them to their international group, or is the request for payment coming from an organization based outside your own country? Are there any tax implications?
  • How will devices or products be shipped and are there special requirements for international shipments of drugs or devices (e.g., import/export)?
  • If your company will donate products that use consumables, what happens when the initial supply is exhausted?

Summary

A grants management system can automate many of the request receipt and review processes, as is well known. It is also an important tool that can help demonstrate appropriate due diligence in reviewing requests, especially when there are additional considerations for supporting programs and activities outside one’s own country. These systems can help reduce the review time required and serve as a centralized point for the company to easily and quickly view all activities supported under their overarching grants program. Reporting capabilities and customized dashboards enable customized views by user type to focus on the desired information to help demonstrate the impact and value of the company’s grants program.

View all posts on this five-part Grants Program Management blog series or download them as an eBook here.

Blog #1. Communicating the value of supporting Independent Medical Education (IME)

Blog #2. Measuring Outcomes

Blog #4. Capturing and aggregating program data

Blog #5. Operational Program Management

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