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Institutional Agreements

The Institute for Global Studies [IGS] provides assistance to all academic units in drafting formal institutional agreements with colleges and universities overseas and expedites the approval process within the University. It also serves as the central repository of information on the University of Delaware's ongoing collaborative global partnerships. In addition to assisting with the preparation of institutional agreements, the IGS provides consultation and access to information regarding existing and past international agreements through a searchable database.

Institutional Agreements are designed to establish a formal foundation for long-term, recurring international collaboration with strategic partners identified by the University community. They therefore represent a significant commitment by the two parties. The University of Delaware employs a two part model for its international agreements:

1. A standard General Agreement at the university-to-university level. A General Agreement provides a broad framework for collaborative activities between the partnering institutions, normally including student and/or faculty exchanges, research, training, and similar activities. It is signed by the President of the University of Delaware and his institutional counterpart.
2. Related Supplementary Agreements entered into by the relevant campus unit(s). Supplementary Agreements detail specific activities, including the commitment of resources and acceptance of obligations by the partner units. These agreements are flexible in design length and commitment, although they will be vetted to assure there is no violation of university policy. Additional Supplementary Agreements may be signed as new departments become interested in collaborating with an established partner institution. Supplementary Agreements are normally signed by the relevant college dean and the relevant unit head.

Getting Started

The University of Delaware has a mechanism for establishing formal international partnerships through General (GA) and Supplemental Agreements (SA). Both require appropriate approval and authorization, and must be routed through IGS, prior to being shared with a proposed partner.

1. When initiating a new partnership, the University of Delaware uses its own template, which has been reviewed by the institution's General Counsel. Rather than accepting a template from another individual or institution, UD faculty and staff should contact IGS regarding any potential and viable partners. In order to be valid, all international agreements must be processed through the IGS and follow the process outlined in this memo.
2. Complete the General Agreement Proposal Form (This form will be made available as a UD web form in the near future).
3. Each proposal submission must be approved and accompanied by letters of support from the relevant deans and the corresponding department chairs. It is essential that you discuss the need for a collaborative agreement with your unit administrator (director, department chair, and dean) in advance to ensure there will be resources available to support the partnership. International agreements that engage multiple departments, units, or colleges at both UD and the partner institution are strongly encouraged.
4. Proposals will be reviewed by IGS and forwarded to the office of the Deputy Provost for further review and approval. If approved, IGS will generate the standard and official UD General Agreement, which will establish an institutional relationship with the partner institution, as well as any required Supplementary Agreements tailored to the specific proposal.
5. After the approval of the agreement, IGS will obtain the necessary signatures from UD's President, Provost, Deans, and other corresponding parties, as appropriate; will forward copies to the partner institution; and will house the University's copies of all agreements. The IGS also maintains an updated online database, which includes all UD's international partners.
6. IGS is the unit authorized to negotiate drafts of international agreements with contacts at partner institutions. However, this process will be conducted in consultation with the corresponding units at UD and the senior administration (e.g., Deans, Vice Provosts, etc.).
7. Academic units seeking to establish new Supplementary Agreements with partners with whom UD already has a General Agreement will not be required to submit a proposal form, but they must contact the IGS as per steps 3-6 above.

If you have any questions about this process, or how to submit a proposal form, contact IGS directly at (302) 831-2852.