International Agreements
Proposal and Approval Procedures
As a public research university with a mission to educate leaders, build healthy communities and make discoveries that change the world, internationalization is a central pillar of the work at KU.
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.
Agreement Types
Agreements of Cooperation
Study Abroad Agreements and Contracts
International Academic Services Agreements and Contracts
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.
Things to consider before proposing an international partnership
Level of control
How much control will KU retain or relinquish?
- Will activity take place outside the United States and be subject to foreign laws?
- Are there known issues concerning academic freedom, including limitations on publications or particular topics?
- How much control/cooperation can KU expect regarding program branding or enforcement?
Institutional Reputation
How will the contracting partners reflect on KU?
- Do we know all parties to the contract?
- What is the reputation of the proposed partner?
- How much do we know about the source of the funding?
- Is the funding mechanism and source of funds transparent?
- What products are we delivering beyond academic services (access, political capital, etc.)?
- By entering into this contract, is KU intentionally or unintentionally aiding others in selling or delivering their products?
- To what extent are partners interested in using the KU name, brand, etc. in publicizing or marketing?
Security and Privacy
How confident are we in KU’s ability to protect sensitive data and information systems?
- Will records involving people (e.g., student records, medical records) be shared?
- Will sensitive non-human data or training be shared (e.g., potential military applications)?
- Do export control rules apply?
- What is the partner country or partner organization’s record on protecting IP and data security?
- Does the partner have adequate internal controls?
- What is the nature of the political and economic relationship between the U.S. and the partner country?
- What information is being shared? Does any of it meet the definition of “critical technologies”?
- What degree of access is KU providing, and to whom?
Sustainability
Does the purpose and remuneration justify the level of effort, investment and risk?
- Is the project consistent with KU’s mission and values? Are there any concerns?
- Does the project and budget make financial sense?
- Do we have the bandwidth and resources to deliver on our promises?
- Are any of the parties subject to US legal or economic sanctions?
- Does KU have other relationships that would prohibit, be inconsistent with, or be adversely affected by this relationship?
- What are the current U.S. Department of State and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention travel advisories? Are there contingency plans for scenarios where those advisories change?
*Adapted from the University of Washington Office of Global 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
- KU Center for Research
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.