One of the most utilized agreements is a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), a ceremonial, non-binding agreement for collaboration between one or more institutions. The Vice Provost for Graduate Education and International Affairs (VPGEIA) and WashU Global provide advice and resources for WashU faculty who are considering an MOU.
The approval process has been streamlined to ensure that all international MOUs are reviewed by the Office of the Vice Chancellor and General Counsel (OGC) and the VPGEIA prior to signing and that all MOUs are collected in our database. If you are unsure if this is an MOU or would like an initial consultation, email global@wustl.edu.
For the School of Medicine, please contact Caline Mattar, Director of Global Health Education and Partnerships, for an initial consultation, before beginning the steps outlined below.
Is this an MOU?
Read the definition of an MOU to help you decide.
NO
Consult Types of Partnerships for next steps.
YES
Follow the steps below to establish an agreement.
Process steps
The typical timeframe from Step 1 to Step 5 is 2-4 weeks.
STEP 1
Draft an agreement
Use the approved MOU template to draft an agreement.
Step 2
Submit proposal
Submit the Partnership Proposal Form.
Step 3
Internal review
Review, suggested revisions and approval by OGC and the VPGEIA. During this process we will also check for pre-existing agreements with the partner and confirm institutional support.
Step 4
Signing an agreement
Send to the international partner for review and signing. The VPGEIA or a School Dean signs the MOU on behalf of WashU.
Step 5
Intake of fully executed agreement (required)
Complete the form for fully executed agreement to be uploaded in SharePoint database. Ensure correct and complete information is provided.
Contact us
Vice Provost for Graduate Education and International Affairs (VPGEIA)
Vijay Ramani