The International Center coordinated a U.S. State Department grant project with the Orenburg Institute of the Moscow Law Academy in Russia from 2000–2003. Six University of Georgia faculty members spent 21 weeks in Russia, enhancing their professional expertise and understanding of Russia’s local government system. They also developed the Orenburg Institute’s public administration academic programs and created a public administration outreach program for local government training. Similarly, eight Russian faculty members visited the University of Georgia for a total of 21 weeks, contributing to cross-cultural understanding and cooperation between the University of Georgia and the Orenburg Institute.

A Vinson Institute faculty member became the first Westerner to teach at the training center of Minatom, the Russian Atomic Energy Ministry, when the International Center provided training there to assist Minatom in modernizing its administrative techniques.