International Agreements
The Agreement Process
USF has active partnership agreements in countries around the globe, laying the foundation for profound and enriching international educational and research experiences for both faculty and students.
Please review the sections below to learn more about establishing international agreements. The following information will assist in the preparation of a broad agreement for collaboration, a more specific memorandum of understanding, and a student exchange:
Navigate the Global Discovery Hub for a List of Current USF Partnership Agreements
The Global Discovery Hub houses the university's international partnership agreements, more than 1,200 faculty profiles from across the university's three campuses, and allows for searches based on geography, discipline, or keyword. Take a look at the university's global presence as you've never seen it before. Click to view USF's current international partnership agreements. Questions regarding the Global Discovery Hub can be directed to Laurel Thomas at lkhthomas@usf.edu.
CompletE an agreement feasibility Report
For faculty and staff just beginning the process of considering an international partnership agreement, USF World recommends colleagues initiate department/college level discussions regarding a potential inter-institutional relationship. Department Chairs and College Deans will need to sign the Feasibility Report so that proposers have confidence their initiative will be supported. It is critical that the proposing faculty and staff are familiar with the institutions they are considering working with.
Read about how to complete an institutional Feasibility Report. Questions about the early agreement process may be directed to your USF World campus representative Adriana Morales (USF Tampa campus), Dr. Brandon McLeod (USF Sarasota-Manatee campus), or Wendy Baker (USF St. Petersburg campus).
Guidelines for General Agreements for Collaboration
A General Agreement for Collaboration formalizes the intent of USF and an international institutional partner to deepen research collaborations, educational experiences, faculty and scholar exchanges, and training programs. These agreements should follow the completion of a Feasibility Report and should be strategic in nature. However, a general agreement is an important first step in opening up formal channels of collaboration between USF and institutions abroad and is necessary before progressing into an MOU or Exchange Agreement.
Read about how to establish a General Agreement for Collaboration.
Guidelines for a Memorandum of Understanding
Some general agreements will "sunset" after five years with no definitive outcomes. Others will work very well and may well be renewed but do not develop into a stronger or a broader set of understandings. However, a smaller number of agreements will lead to profound research and/or academic opportunities. There may be an opportunity to seek co-PI external funding, or to develop academic understandings around linked programs, joint and dual degrees, etc. In such situations the partners will need broader university support and a third step, the development of a "Memorandum of Understanding" (MOU) is required.
Read about how to establish a Memorandum of Understanding.
Guidelines for Establishing Student Exchange Agreements
Lastly, student exchange agreements have very specific expectations that both partners must commit to, among them an articulation of how an exchange balance shall be maintained, a projection of the number of students expected, and the specific programs involved. There are also important specifics you should consider and may be different initial contact points for students involved in exchanges depending upon which campus you are located.
Read more about how to establish a formal Student Exchange here.