International Academic Services Agreements and Contracts Procedures

Overview

International Academic Services Agreements and Contracts (IASAC) cover academic services that require an agreement or contract that commits KU resources or binds KU to specific terms such as those offered in a fee-for-service arrangement with non-U.S. institutions, companies and state enterprises for consulting, and academic ventures that do not meet the criteria of a sponsored program or gift. Examples of such agreements and contracts include:

  • Joint centers or research institutes that are not part of a sponsored project or program
    • Example: Joint educational institutes involving degree-program delivery
  • Fee-based academic services contracts that are not part of a sponsored project, program, or gift
    • Example: school-specific consulting contracts to support the development of new degree programs or research capacities at a partner institution
  • Faculty exchanges or other non-credit-bearing exchanges
    • Example: Erasmus+ mobility agreements with EU universities
  • International dual degree and dual certificate program agreements
    • Examples: 3+1+1 or 4+2 degree articulation agreements
  • Other collaborative education programs
    • Examples: International short programs, scholar exchanges or non-degree inbound study or research initiatives with partners

Most International Academic Services Agreements and Contracts will also require an Agreement of Cooperation (AOC). However, please refrain from completing an AOC request form until KUIA staff advises you to do so.

Helpful Links

IASAC Procedures

If your planned activity will require an agreement or contract that commits KU resources or binds KU to specific terms, or if it falls into one of the general categories listed above, please follow the process for IASACs. 

Step One: Planning

  1. Review the Directory of International Agreements to determine whether an AOC or other agreements with the proposed international partner are already in place.

Step Two: Review Process

  1. Complete this brief form to schedule a 30-minute consultation about your planned activities with International Affairs staff.
  2. Based on the results of the consultation meeting, a project-specific working group managed by International Affairs will assist you with creating a proposal and agreement draft for review by KU’s Executive Partnership Review Committee.
    • Note: The timing and duration of this process stage will be determined by the complexity of the proposed project and the specific partner or partners involved.
  3. Once the working group has completed its work, the full proposal will move to the Executive Partnership Review Committee for consideration. This committee is comprised of representatives from campus offices responsible for ensuring risk mitigation and compliance with university policies and state and federal laws.
    • Note: The committee may include Global Risk & Security, General Counsel, International Affairs, Finance, Information Technology, and Audit, Risk, & Compliance.
  4. The Executive Partnership Review Committee will review the proposal and make a recommendation to the Provost and Senior Internationalization Officer.
    • Note: The committee may also request additional information from you to make a final determination. The committee meets twice a semester on a pre-determined schedule.

Step 3: Finalize Agreement

  1. If the proposal is approved, KUIA staff will advise you on whether an AOC is also required. The AOC process will follow established procedures, and the AOC should be signed before or at the same time as the IASAC.
  2. The IASAC is signed by the authorities named in the agreement.
    • Note: Scanned copies of original signatures in a PDF or Word document may be considered originals. KU will also accept digital signatures such as AdobeSign from the partner university, but KU signatories will only provide wet-ink signatures or scans thereof.