International Cooperative Agreements

The University of Georgia has approximately 180 International Cooperative Agreements (ICA) in over 50 countries; ICAs are also referred to as Memoranda of Understanding (MOU). These agreements allow for activities such as study abroad programs, faculty and student exchanges, collaborative research, seminars and workshops, and/or service programs.

Cooperative Agreements between the University of Georgia and other universities are legally binding documents hat must pass careful review by the Office of International Education and the Office of Legal Affairs. Agreements will only be signed by the President when they are clearly in the interest of the University and are on a solid financial footing.

The Office of International Education is responsible for all the international cooperative agreements that the University of Georgia has with foreign institutions. Once an agreement is signed, this office keeps an original copy of the agreement, and the partner institution keeps another copy. Photocopies may be made for anyone involved with the collaboration.

Developing an International Cooperative Agreement

This first document negotiated between UGA and a partner institution is a general or "umbrella" agreement, and although it lays initial groundwork, it does not outline specific activities. In order to develop any activity or exchange program, an addendum is written and attached to the umbrella agreement. Jane Gatewood, in OIE, assists faculty in this process. Please call 542-2900 or e-mail janegat@uga.edu for more information.

If you have made a connection with an institution outside the U.S., and you deem it beneficial to the University of Georgia to form a partnership with this institution, initiating an international cooperative agreement is not difficult. Begin by following the steps below:

• Check the list of international cooperative agreements. If we already have an agreement with the institution you have in mind, you may request a copy from OIE (706-542-2900). If you would like to create an addendum to a pre-existing agreement, please review the information on creating an exchange agreement or addendum.


• Communicate your ideas to your department head and dean. You will need their approval and signature to complete the process, so informing them about your work from the beginning will benefit the process.


• Consult with the Director of Partnerships and Development on the viability of the proposed partnership. At this stage, if the proposed partnership is deemed viable, UGA will begin negotiation with the proposed partner institution, with assistance from the initiating faculty member, by reviewing draft agreements. UGA has a draft of its standard International Cooperative Agreement available for download.


• Once both institutions agree to the terms and language of the agreements, signatures can be initiated. Only the President may sign these agreements for the University of Georgia on behalf of the Board of Regents.


• To request official presidential signature on an international agreement, complete a Routing Slip for International Cooperative Agreements and forward the original, signed slip to the Director of Partnerships and Development, 1324 S. Lumpkin Street, Athens, GA 30602.