Types of International Agreements
International agreements are developed according to the primary activities being proposed and provide an opportunity to define the terms of collaboration. Please contact NC State Global for guidance in determining which agreement will best address those activities. Common examples of international agreements include:
Affiliations with external study abroad providers
NC State Study Abroad partners with selected organizations to expand options for our students. In some instances, these affiliations require a formal agreement to cover admissions, payment terms, etc.
Contracts for vendor goods or 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.
