The IMF Institute offers distance learning courses in financial programming and policies for officials who are unable to attend long courses overseas. During the 10 week distance segment, participants spend at least 10 hours a week studying the materials and communicating with their counselors and other participants; participants are expected to be given time by their supervisors to work on the course materials and submit their assignments on time. At the end of the distance learning segment, participants who successfully complete the distance assignments are invited for a two-week residential workshop.

Beginning in May 2009, for most courses held at the IMF headquarters in Washington, D.C., agencies sponsoring participants will be required to contribute to the travel, accommodation and living costs of participants. These contributions will be based on the length of the course and the country income level as defined by the World Bank classification. Contributions from sponsoring agencies are required when the residential segment is held in Washington D.C. and the course is not donor-funded. Information on these charges can be found on the following page Country Contribution.

(Information on the contribution policy can be accessed on the Policy for Country Contributions for Capacity Building link.)