International Memorandum
A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) formalizes collaborations involving financial commitments, institutional obligations, or academic program terms—such as joint degrees, exchanges, or research projects. Templates and approved samples are available, and we work with colleges and ICC to draft agreements tailored to specific needs, ensuring clarity and expedited review.
The agreement types described below do not cover all possible collaborations, however, they provide a good starting point. At the meeting with the college representative, the current template samples can be reviewed and a determination made as to which template to use. We can work with the ICC to develop a draft document that applies to the specific collaboration. In addition, we can draw language from other approved agreements that may fit programmatic needs and to expedite the review process.
- General Collaboration Agreement/MOA: Used as a way of formalizing cooperation without defining how, this type of agreement does not outline specific programming but shows clear intent of collaboration. This general MOA does not vary from the general MOA template and may be finalized quickly.
- Reciprocal Student Exchange Agreement (REEP): This agreement establishes the parties’ roles and responsibilities, program requirements and terms and conditions pertaining to the implementation of reciprocal student exchanges between TAMU and an institution abroad. REEP activities have financial, accreditation, and immigration implications and require a thorough evaluation. The implementation of a reciprocal student exchange requires a balance of the course credit count of incoming and outgoing students. Per SACSCOC policies, an exchange may not begin until a fully executed agreement exists and SACSCOC has been notified by the Office of the Provost. Before a REEP agreement may be approved, the program must meet following policies and procedures:
Due the nature of REEP exchanges, the University implemented deadlines for agreement finalization. Please note:
- Spring Exchange deadline = Sept. 15 prior to the spring semester of intended exchange.
- Summer Exchange deadline = February 1 prior to the summer term of the intended exchange.
- Fall Exchange deadline = March 1 prior to the fall semester of the intended exchange.
If a fully executed renewal agreement is not received by the above deadlines, students (from either institution) may not participate in that exchange. This means their application will not be processed until the agreement is executed.
- The purpose of an MOU is to acknowledge a formal, ongoing, strategic, long-term relationship between institutions.
- An MOU does not express a binding commitment to any specific activity, but rather a serious intention to explore.
- MOU’s are not encouraged unless there is clear intent to implement an actual project of exchange and/or other academic activities in the near future, where the execution of the MOU will foster that action.
- The MOU establishes a framework for exploring collaboration, and it identifies institutional concerns such as consistency with accreditation principles, compliance with immigration and export control requirements, as well as intellectual property ownership. These agreements are not usually renewed and are expected to be replaced by specific agreements. However, the agreement initiator may request a renewal of an exploratory agreement providing rationale for a continued collaboration with the partner university.
Academic Agreements
A Memorandum of Agreement for the below mentioned academic program types are required to complete the Curricular Services review process prior to obtaining final signatures per Texas A&M University rules (§2.4.8 of 11.99.99.M0.01) This process is overseen by the Office of the Provost.
Technical and Scientific Cooperation Agreement/Research Agreement
Funded or Unfunded Research Collaboration Agreement:
These types of agreements provide a framework for collaboration on academic research, addresses intellectual property ownership, and provides for compliance with applicable laws. If they are general enough to use an MOA, you may use the existing MOA template. However, this template NOT appropriate for relationships that involve any exchange of goods or services, sponsored research projects, activities associated with restricted technologies, or activities that are expected to lead to the development of commercial intellectual property, such as licenses and patents See the Office of Sponsored Research for more information about these types of agreements.
Student Education Abroad
Education Abroad Program Types - (Current types: Affiliate Providers, Exchange, National Student Exchange (NSE), Faculty-led, Field Trip, Student Group, Independent Travel, and Virtual) To submit a proposal or learn more about developing a Faculty-led Program.
International Service Provider Contract - If you wish to create a program abroad for students, you may need to create an International Service Provider (ISP) agreement. An ISP may either be U.S. or foreign vendors (e.g. a university, travel agent, hotel, study abroad program provider, etc.) who provide services necessary to implement all or part of a student program abroad by providing food, housing, excursions, and other program logistics. They may also be contracted to facilitate conferences, meetings, or other international activities related to faculty scholarship and research.