International Agreements
International collaboration is a valuable component of NC State’s research, educational, and service endeavors. NC State Global supports faculty and administrators through expert consultation on international higher education systems, identification of effective program models, and facilitation of agreements with institutions outside the United States.
Successful collaborations often grow from professional connections, mutual research interests, and scholarly visits among faculty members. Many scholarly activities can flourish without written agreements. But in some cases, a written agreement may be needed. All international agreements must be authorized by the Chancellor or Provost to ensure alignment with our institutional mission and to avoid unplanned financial or legal obligations for the university.
Consulting with NC State Global is the first step to establishing new collaborations. The following resources will guide you in determining when a written agreement is needed and walk you through the proposal and approval process. Please address any inquiries to: internationalagreements@ncsu.edu.
Types of International Agreements
Type of Agreement Description Type Affiliations with External Study Abroad Providers Agreement NC State Study Abroad partners with selected organizations to expand options for our students. In some cases, these affiliations require a formal agreement to cover admissions, payment terms, etc. Contracts for Vendor Goods and Services Collaborative research projects, student programs, workshops, etc. may require contracts for payment to international entities. These contracts are managed by Procurement & Business Services. Data Use Agreements Data use agreements outline how data will be shared between institutions or individuals and how those data can be used and disclosed. NC State’s Office of Research and Innovation provides guidelines and resources for developing data use agreements. External Dual Degrees External dual degrees are academic programs that enable students to earn a degree from each participating institution. These programs must follow the policies of NC State, the UNC System, and our institutional accrediting body. The Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost oversees the requirements for external dual degrees. Institutional Membership in Academic and Scientific Consortia Formal memberships in international university networks may provide access to unique benefits such as research opportunities, multilateral student programs or professional conferences. Transfer Articulations Transfer articulations formalize pathways to NC State degree programs for students from other institutions (e.g., combined bachelor-master programs or 3+X programs). Transfer articulations are developed in cooperation with the Graduate School and apply to specific academic programs. General MOUs for Academic and Scientific Cooperation For NC State purposes, a memorandum of understanding (“MOU”) is a general, non-legally binding document that is used at the initial stage of establishing collaboration. MOUs may be used to document areas of mutual interest and the intent to cooperate in future activities. Once specific programs or projects are identified, the details are typically addressed through specific, activity-based agreements. Sponsored Research NC State’s Office of Research and Innovation holds signature authority for activities that involve sponsored research projects, external research funding, or specific research deliverables. Visit Research Administration and Compliance for more information. Tuition-based Student Exchanges Bilateral exchange agreements enable students to take classes at the host institution, typical for one academic term. During the exchange period, students remain enrolled and pay tuition to their home institution. The number of students and semesters of enrollment must be balanced within the timeframe of the agreement. The Study Abroad Office coordinates the review and approval process for student exchanges.
Propose an International Agreement
NC State faculty and staff members may submit international agreement proposals. Proposal ideas must be endorsed by college/unit-level leadership and where appropriate, be developed in consultation with NC State Global.