Developing International Agreements Supporting Existing Agreements Frequently Asked Questions
International Agreements typically develop out of existing relationships between faculty members from a different institution. Initial activity and relationships do not require a formal agreement, but specific projects, particularly those involving student enrollment, will normally require an international agreement to be signed in order to clarify the responsibilities of all parties.
The Program Director, FSU International Initiatives provides assistance and support to FSU colleges, departments, and faculty interested in developing international agreements, which do not fall under the category of contracts or grants, including cooperative agreements (general MOUs), reciprocal exchange agreements, and other international agreements.
Types of International Agreements
Cooperative Agreements (MOU)
Cooperative Agreements are a written statement of a mutual interest in academic or research collaboration but which do not do not commit either party to any specific obligations, including use of university resources.
Most collaborative activities between faculty and researchers from diverse international institutions — including research visits, co-publication, etc. — do not require a formal agreement. Because the development of any international agreement involves significant effort, FSU prefers that cooperative agreements are held to a minimum. However, at times, a Cooperative Agreement might be required by the foreign institution as a precursor to other activity or there is another need to formalize existing collaborations between FSU and an international institution of similar academic standing. Read more ...
Reciprocal Student Exchange Agreements
An Exchange Agreement serves as the formal framework needed to develop a student exchange program at the undergraduate or graduate level. Exchange partnerships are developed with international institutions of similar academic standing. The agreement outlines the responsibilities of the institutions, as well as the responsibilities of the students. Students enroll in, earn credit hours and pay tuition and fees to their home institutions and receive credits from the home institution for the courses they take at the host institution. Since tuition is waived for incoming students and collected from outbound students, it is expected that the total number of incoming students be balanced with the number of outbound students over the duration of the agreement (usually five years). Read more ...
Other International Agreements
There may be times when a plan for a collaborative project does not fit into the pre-approved templates for the above international agreements. If the purpose of the proposed agreement differs from the three outlined above, or if the partner institution has a format for agreements that they want to use, then it is possible to develop an agreement to meet these needs. Agreements that do not follow pre-approved templates will go to legal counsel for review as part of the internal approval process. Please contact the Program Director, FSU International Initiatives to discuss options.
FSU does not currently offer faculty exchange agreements. Please contact your Department Chair and/or College Dean to determine whether any special provisions are available in your Department/College.
FSU does not currently offer dual degree programs. For inquiries into the development of Co-tutelles, Co-supervision of a Thesis with an International Institution, or Dual Degrees please contact the Dean of the Graduate School and SACS Liaison.
Collaborative activities involving contracts or grants are supported by the Office of Research.