International Agreements Process
International Agreements
The Center for Global Programs & Services (CGPS), in collaboration with the International Partnerships & Agreements Committee (IPAC), is responsible for drafting and vetting all institutional agreements.
Types of Agreements
The University of Delaware maintains a two-tiered system for global partnerships:
A General Agreement is a University-wide document that creates formal linkages between the partnering institutions and provides a broad framework for collaborative activities. General Agreements are signed by the Vice Provost for Global Engagement.
A Supplemental Agreement details specific collaborative activities, including the commitment of resources and acceptance of obligations by the partner units. These agreements are flexible in commitment, although they will be vetted to assure there is no violation of university policy.
Additional Supplemental Agreements may be signed as new partnership opportunities emerge or if additional departments become interested in collaborating with an established partner institution. Once a General Agreement is signed, any and all colleges and academic units are able to proposeSupplemental Agreements specific to their proposed activities. Supplemental Agreements are normally signed by the vice provost, college dean, and/or college senior business officer.
When unusual circumstances prevent the use of the University of Delaware's template, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) may be developed. In all cases, a proposal must be submitted to CGPS for review and CGPS will take the lead on drafting the MOU to ensure compliance with University policies.
Required Information
In all cases, the University of Delaware requires certain information to be included in agreements it signs. These include, but are not limited to, the following examples:
- Purpose of the Agreement;
- Responsibilities;
- Academic Freedom;
- Compliance With Laws;
- Named Program Coordinators;
- Timeframe Agreement is in Force and Valid;
- Settlement of Disputes;
- Indemnification;
- Terms of Amending the Agreement; and
- Signatures.
Getting Started
Before starting the partnership process, contact CGPS to see if an agreement already exists.
Agreement Process
In order to be valid, all international agreements require appropriate approval and authorization and must be routed through CGPS prior to being shared with a proposed partner. The following steps provide a guideline for the agreement process, including the request to renew an existing agreement:
Using the above questions as a guideline, consider the key reasons for forming a partnership and how success would be defined (e.g., what are the anticipated outputs and outcomes).
After committing to a partnership, UD faculty and staff who wish to propose or renew an agreement should first complete the Agreement Proposal/Renewal Form.
In addition to the form, applications must include the following uploads:
1. A Letter of Support from the relevant UD Dean; and
2. A Letter of Support from the corresponding Department Chairs or Director.
Please Note: It is essential that proposed activities are discussed with unit administrators in advance to ensure that there will be resources available to support the partnership.
Once submitted, proposals will be reviewed by the International Partnerships & Agreements Committee (IPAC) with the support of CGPS. This process takes approximately 4 to 8 weeks.
If the proposal is approved, CGPS will generate the UD General Agreement utilizing the University-approved template and will facilitate contract negotiations between UD and the proposed partner. Once the agreement is final, CGPS will facilitate signatures by the Vice Provost for Global Engagement and their counterpart at the partner institution,, forward copies of the agreement to the partner institution, and house finalized copies of the agreement.Depending on the partner’s review/amendments, this process generally takes approximately 4 weeks.
Once a formal partnership is established, any and all UD colleges/academic units can propose Supplemental Agreements with the partner to support specific programs and/or activities. Such proposals would be reviewed by IPAC and, if approved, CGPS will draft the Supplemental Agreement and will facilitate contract negotiations between UD and the partner institution. Once the agreement is final, CGPS will facilitate signatures by the appropriate signatories of each institution and will house UD’s copies of the Supplemental Agreement.
The timeframe for Supplemental Agreements varies depending on the program/activity proposed. Articulation Agreements, a type of supplemental agreement that supports dual degree programs between institutions, involve additional review by the Faculty Senate and collaborative efforts with the Registrar, which results in a much lengthier timeline.
Host a Visiting Delegation
CGPS provides guidance and support to members of the University community who wish to host an international delegation.
