Global partnerships are a valuable component of UMBC’s global engagement. Our international programs, research, and engagement rely on partnerships. In the Center for Global Engagement, the Office of Global Partnerships is the main point of contact for the partnerships that contribute to the work of the English Language Institute, Education Abroad, International Student & Scholar Services, the Fulbright Program, and international research or academic collaborations.
If you are interested in exploring or building a new international partnership or in further developing your relationship with an existing international partner please get in touch with us at globalpartnerships@umbc.edu.
Global partnerships are a valuable component of UMBC’s global engagement. Our international programs, research, and engagement rely on partnerships. The Office of Global Partnerships (OGP) is the point of contact for partnerships that involve one or more partner organizations located in a foreign country.
Important Considerations
- All agreements must be signed by a representative of UMBC with official signatory authority (inclusive of non-binding and binding agreements)
International Agreement Guidelines
Non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
Consults Required / Recommended
- Often used to formally establish an initial collaboration with one or more partners
- May list several collaborative activities that the parties intend to explore
- May also be referred to as a Letter of Intent
- Non-binding document
- Does not include specific deliverables or legal obligations
- Not required by UMBC but often requested by the foreign collaborator
- Not intended for use with corporate or for-profit partners (unless used as a term sheet for later, formal agreements).
Vice Provost for Academic Affairs
- Consult the OGP to determine whether a non-binding MOU is the appropriate type of document for the program or relationship.
- International partners may try to use a “nonbinding” agreement for something that contains deliverables or that should be binding.
- Submit an agreement proposal through TerraDotta and select “Non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)” as type on the Proposal Overview Page.
- Agreements require review from Legal Counsel and Restricted Party Screening.
- All UMBC students and employees traveling to a foreign country on University business must gain approval prior to travel through completion of the international travel registry.
Faculty Led Study Abroad Program Agreement
Consults Required / Recommended
- Used to establish terms and conditions for study abroad programs led by UMBC faculty.
Multiple signatories based on UMBC’s Non-Standard Tuition Policy
- Early in the conceptual development consult the Education Abroad Office. It’s recommended to start on this step 18 months in advance.
- Formal proposals are required and must be submitted approximately 14-15 months in advance.
- Contact the Director of Education Abroad & Global Learning at educationabroad@umbc.edu to request a copy of the UMBC Faculty-Led Study Abroad Program Proposal Packet
Mobility Agreements (Student, Faculty, Staff Exchange)
Consults Required / Recommended
- Used to establish terms and conditions for any formal program or activity that involves the coming or going of students, faculty, or staff to or from the United States from one or more other countries.
- Includes, but not limited to, student exchange, study abroad (excluding Faculty Led Programs), internships, service-learning, research, joint Ph.D. supervision and faculty/staff research, teaching, or administrative mobility.
- Research Agreements
- All agreements
- Center for Global Engagement’s Office of Global Partnerships (OGP)
Research Agreements:
Director of the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP)
All other agreements:
Vice Provost for Academic Affairs
- Early in the conceptual development of a new mobility/exchange program, consult the OGP.
- For all agreements with a research component you are required to consult the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP).
- OGP will direct you to complete the appropriate agreement proposal type in TerraDotta.
- Mobility/exchange agreements should be binding where possible in order to protect participants and the university.
- Contact OGP early for consultation. Agreements require review from Legal Counsel and Restricted Party Screening.
- Mobility/exchange programs
- Work with the Education Abroad Office to gather the information needed for the application process and program website.
- All UMBC students and employees traveling to a foreign country on University business must gain approval prior to travel through completion of the international travel registry.
Research Contracts or Grant Agreements
Consults Required / Recommended
- Establishes terms and conditions for UMBC’s performance of sponsored projects (includes research, instruction, service, and other activities).
- Sets forth requirements for accepting funds in support of a specific project or program.
- Describes the specific deliverables and milestones associated with the project or program.
- Typically contains requirements (terms and conditions) for financial and technical reporting and intellectual property assignments, including patents and copyrights.
- May include contracts and grants for sponsored research funded by companies.
- May be used to establish, develop, and formalize relationships with companies interested in promoting and sponsoring research.
Principal Investigators should consult with Unit Administrators and Shared Services Centers (SSCs) as their first point of contact.
Unit Administrators and SSCs should consult with the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) to determine whether an agreement is required.
ospa@umbc.edu
Director of the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP)
Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs)
Data Use Agreements (DUAs)
Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDA) or Confidentiality Agreements (CDAs)
Consults Required / Recommended
Used to receive materials, data, software, or confidential information for research use.
Used to send materials, data, software, or confidential information for research or commercial use.
Data Use Agreements: Director, Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP)
Research related Non-Disclosure Agreements and Confidentiality Agreements:
Director, Office of Technology Development (OTD)
If you have questions after reviewing the matrix please get in touch with us at globalpartnerships@umbc.edu.