Tulane supports high-quality international collaborations, and thus encourages international academic agreements and MOUs which enable faculty, departments, academic units and schools to explore possible collaboration with peer universities.
As a first step, international academic agreements or MOUs must first be discussed with and given preliminary approval by the relevant Dean of the school or unit leader, as well as the Associate Provost for International Affairs, to proceed with developing a draft agreement. The final agreement will be signed by the Provost or Associate Provost for International Affairs.
Learn more about Tulane's support and process for international agreements by downloading the academic agreement guidelines. After reviewing the guidelines and gathering key information, complete the online proposal form.
4 Steps for Developing an International Academic Collaboration
Confirm Preliminary Institutional Support
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Submit a Proposal
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Draft an Agreement
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Send to Collaborator for Review and Sign Approved Document
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Best Practices
Successful international academic collaboration requires intentional planning and a sustained commitment. To ensure the long-term success of your collaboration, please consider the best practices outlined below:
Know your Collaborator(s)
Ensure that you know and trust the person or organization whom you’ll be working with. Academic collaborations depend on strong individual relationships.
Start Early
Developing strong collaborations takes time. While simple MOUs can be processed quickly, complex legal agreements may take months to complete, depending on a variety of factors. Allow ample time for agreements to be executed before initiating joint activities.
Questions to Consider
- What is the purpose of the collaboration?
- Who is the proposed partner?
- What do you know about their institution?
- What do you hope to achieve?
- How does this collaboration further the mission of your department/center, school/college, and/or TU?
- How do you see the relationship developing over the first year and into later years (as relevant)?
- What administrative burdens of the relationship do you anticipate, especially financial?
- How are you planning to meet these expenses?
- By what metrics will you judge a productive relationship?
- Is a formal agreement needed? Why?
- What is the proposed duration of the agreement?
- Any other relevant information?
Confirm Institutional Commitment and Internal Support
The strongest collaborations have broad institutional support and clear goals. Confirm support in your unit, department or college and consider involving other units on campus. Ensure that your collaborating institution is equally committed.
Set Clear Expectations
Explicitly discuss your aspirations and expectations with your collaborating institution. When expectations are misaligned, communication can break down quickly.
Assess Institutional Fit
Academic collaborations are most successful when partners have strong reputations, compatible missions and complementary academic strength.