International Agreements

Proposal and Approval Procedures

Significant international engagement frequently requires agreements or contracts that establish partnerships with entities such as universities, government agencies or other organizations outside the United States. While these collaboration activities can present outstanding opportunities for KU units to connect with colleagues and students abroad, international partnerships can also create vulnerabilities for the university.

By maintaining established procedures for developing formal partnerships, International Affairs can assist KU units with international agreements that align with KU policies, ensure good stewardship of university resources and mitigate risk to the institution.

KU's approach to international partnerships

What to consider before proposing an international partnership

Agreement Types

International Affairs facilitates internationalization efforts by supporting three types of agreements.

Agreements of Cooperation

General statements of mutual interest that explore opportunities for collaboration and are explicitly non-binding.

Study Abroad Agreements and Contracts

Binding agreements that establish the terms for the outbound mobility of KU students.

International Academic Services Agreements and Contracts

Academic services that require an agreement or contract committing KU resources or bind KU to specific terms.

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Please see the FAQs for the types of agreements and contracts that other KU units manage. All sponsored research projects route through the KU Center for Research rather than through International Affairs.

Frequently Asked Questions

All contracts, regardless of the source of funding or whether they involve an exchange of funds versus an exchange of services or goods, must be reviewed by the General Counsel's office for correct form and legal sufficiency. University contracts and agreements can take many forms, including but not limited to: purchase or sale agreements, licensing agreements, memoranda of understanding or agreement, personal services agreements, affiliation agreements, leases, deeds and easements. Contract amendments must follow the same review and approval process, unless the contract has been previously reviewed and approved by the Office of the General Counsel (OGC) and there are no changes, other than to dates and dollar amounts. More information about contract review procedures is available on the OGC website.

While all contracts are subject to OGC review, some international contracts and projects are managed by campus units other than International Affairs; please contact the listed unit for assistance. If you aren’t sure which unit should assist with your project, please feel free to contact KUIA at intlaffairs@ku.edu for guidance and an appropriate referral.
- KU Center for Research
  - Sponsored projects
  - Other external awards for research and training
  - Subawards
  - Confidentiality agreements related to research or other sponsored projects
  - Clinical trial agreements
  - Teaming agreements in anticipation of proposal submissions
- KUMC Office of International Programs
  - Any projects pertaining to or housed at the KU Medical Center
- Procurement Services
  - Supplier contracts
- Office of General Counsel
  - Professional services agreements
  - Consulting agreements unrelated to research
  - Training agreements
  - Reimbursement agreements
  - Sponsorship agreements
  - Confidentiality agreements not related to research or other sponsored projects
  - Domestic MOUs
- Special review is required for the following due to KBOR oversight; please allow for additional processing time:
  - Facility and land use agreements
  - Appraisals

Agreements can be completed in as little as a few weeks, or in rare cases can take 6 or more months. Factors influencing the speed of execution include:

Negotiation of agreement terms
Complexities of the intended activity
The research required to assess feasibility and associated compliance obligations
Exchange of hard copy documents by mail versus emailed scans
Availability of signatories to review and sign
Time to complete certified translations and back translations.

By submitting an agreement proposal, you are agreeing to serve as the key liaison between KU International Affairs and the international partner. You are also affirming support of your unit leadership to undertake this international project or activity.

Please see the KUIA International Delegations page for more information.

KU strongly prefers to sign agreements only in English. However, in cases where non-English-language documents must be signed, it is the responsibility of the sponsoring KU unit to arrange and pay for certified translations and back translations using the translation firm KU has on retainer. Please contact KUIA at intlaffairs@ku.edu for more information.

Contact

Reach out to Rachel Sherman Johnson, director of internationalization and partnerships, with questions.