Harvard Global Research and Support Services, Inc.

What Harvard Global Research and Support Services, Inc. does

Harvard Global Research and Support Services, Inc. is a Massachusetts nonprofit corporation established in February 2012 by the President and Fellows of Harvard College (IRS 501(c)(3), EIN 45-4535664) and headquartered at 114 Mount Auburn Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts. The organization was created to provide a common administrative infrastructure and back-office support layer for Harvard University's international research, academic, and fundraising activities — a function the central University is structurally unable to perform efficiently for foreign jurisdictions. Harvard Global operates 11 legal entities across 8 countries on 4 continents (US parent; Hong Kong trust; India Section 8 Company; Ireland DAC; Israel Public Benefit Company; South Africa NPC; Tunisia branch; and three UK entities), with operations spanning the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East (UAE entity deregistered 2020).

Name

Harvard Global Research and Support Services, Inc.

Legal name

Harvard Global Research and Support Services, Inc.

Website

https://harvardglobal.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The organization delivers four integrated service modules through this entity network: International Office Administration (legal establishment and operational management of overseas offices), International Employment (employer-of-record, payroll, and HR compliance across jurisdictions), International Grant Administration (acting as proposal applicant and direct awardee for sponsors whose terms Harvard University cannot accept), and International Gift Administration (tax-efficient receipt and management of international donations through overseas trusts and charities). Customers are exclusively Harvard University-affiliated Schools, centers, and departments — including Harvard Business School, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard Medical School, the Lakshmi Mittal and Family South Asia Institute, the Center for African Studies, and the Center for Middle Eastern Studies — and engagement is initiated by Harvard faculty and administrators rather than commercial sales.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Higher Education Administrative Services

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132)

SIC

Services-Management Services (8741), Services-Facilities Support Management Services (8744)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAEALAO

Research Administration & Grants Management Support (Pre/Post-Award, Compliance)

Education/Education Facilities & Support Services/Outsourced Operations & Managed Services for Education (BPO/Contracted Support)

Keywords

• International administrative services
• Overseas office administration
• International employment services
• International grant administration
• International gift administration

Headquarters

HQ city

Cambridge

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Service Fee Revenue (Service Agreements with Harvard Schools): Harvard Global charges Harvard University Schools and departments for administrative services including office administration, international employment, grant administration, and gift administration. Fees are structured as monthly service fees, startup fees, and a percentage of indirect costs on sponsored awards. Revenue is derived entirely from service agreements with Harvard-affiliated clients and is reinvested into operations to support the University's international mission.
2. Gift Administration (No Cost to Donors or Schools): For gift administration services via trusts and charities (e.g., Friends of Harvard Hong Kong Trust, Friends of Harvard University UK Trust, Harvard Global Foundation Limited), there is no cost to the receiving School/Unit or to donors (unless a third-party payment service charges a fee). Revenue is generated indirectly by enabling Harvard to access international funding.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Harvard Global Research and Support Services, Inc. is a nonprofit administrative services organization affiliated with Harvard University that provides back-office operational support exclusively to Harvard-affiliated departments pursuing international research, academic, and fundraising activities. It manages 11 legal entities across 8 countries to deliver four core services: international office administration (entity setup and operational management), international employment (employer-of-record and payroll), international grant administration (sponsored award management), and international gift administration (tax-efficient gift receipt through overseas trusts and charities).

Product overview

Harvard Global Research and Support Services, Inc. is a Massachusetts nonprofit corporation affiliated with Harvard University that provides a suite of four integrated administrative service modules supporting international research, academic, and fundraising activities. The core offerings include International Office Administration (legal establishment and operational management of overseas offices), International Employment (payroll and HR services for overseas staff), International Grant Administration (sponsored award management), and International Gift Administration (international donor gift processing). These services are designed to work together, enabling Harvard faculty and departments to establish and maintain international presence while Harvard Global handles compliance, financial operations, and administrative complexities. The company operates local entities in eight countries to provide these services on the ground.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• Harvard Global manages 11 legal entities across 8 countries, enabling Harvard to operate in 4 continents.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Harvard Global Support Services (GSS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHarvard Global is affiliated with Harvard Global Support Services (GSS), which provides client relations support to Harvard Global. GSS serves as the primary interface point for Harvard University departments and schools seeking international operational support. GSS helps guide clients to Harvard Global when international entity establishment, employment, or gift/grant administration is needed. The relationship is integral to Harvard Global's client acquisition and service delivery.
• Office of the Vice Provost for International Affairs (Harvard University)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHarvard Global partners with Harvard's Office of the Vice Provost for International Affairs, which oversees and advances Harvard University's international academic initiatives. The Vice Provost for International Affairs (Mark Elliott) also serves as Chair of the Harvard Global Board of Directors. This partnership ensures alignment between Harvard Global's operations and the University's global strategy.
• Office for Sponsored Programs (OSP)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerHarvard Global contracts with Harvard University's Office for Sponsored Programs (OSP) for grants management support. Staff in OSP hold appointments with Harvard Global as members of its sponsored research team, maintaining similar roles and responsibilities to support and manage Harvard Global's awards. OSP helps Harvard Global navigate sponsor requirements and compliance.
• Alumni and Development Services (ADS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHarvard Global partners with Harvard's Alumni and Development Services (ADS) for gift administration. Harvard Global's overseas entities work with ADS to develop gift strategies, process gift agreements, and issue tax receipts. ADS is the beneficiary of several Harvard Global trust structures (e.g., Friends of Harvard Hong Kong Trust, Friends of Harvard University UK Trust).
• Harvard University Benefits and Retirement PlanssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerHarvard Global contracts with Harvard University to participate in Harvard University benefits and retirement plans for its employees. This enables Harvard Global to offer employees benefits similar to those of Harvard University staff, including health insurance options and retirement plans, while operating across multiple countries.
• International SOSsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerHarvard Global employees are covered by Harvard University's International SOS membership for emergency medical and security support and evacuation services while traveling on Harvard business. International SOS provides 24/7 emergency response, case management, and evacuation services to eligible Harvard affiliates abroad.
• Harvard University Trademark OfficesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerHarvard Global uses Harvard University trademarks and the Harvard name under license from the President and Fellows of Harvard College. The Harvard University Trademark Office governs the use of Harvard names, marks, and insignias, which Harvard Global must obtain University permission to use.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/harvard-global-research-and-support-services-inc-

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Harvard Global Research and Support Services, Inc.