I'm not sure we have a similar concept here in the US. I remember when I lived in Europe it being common for friends to be "seconded-out" to another organization for a while, to work on a specific project, before returning to their primary employer. I can see where that might work in US academia, but I have a hard time visualizing how it could work here in America. The questions almost write themselves... 1. So we are going to keep paying you, but you will be working for a different company? 2. What about your job here? Who will do your work while you are gone? 3. What if the project is successful, or you enjoy working there? What if you leave us? (clutches at pearls) 4. But who is paying for your health insurance? Hm. Secondment. I'd never realized how this completely normal process in the rest of the world would be complete anathema to Corporate America... "...I'm gonna be starting a secondment (if that's the correct word for working for another organization for my expertise)..."