Faculty members who propose that University of Guelph enter into an International MOU for research or related purposes should arrange to discuss the opportunity further with their Department Chair/School Director (if applicable) and their College’s Associate Dean Research.

  • Faculty members proposing an International MOU for research or research-related purposes are to complete the University of Guelph International MOU Research-related Proposal Form as the University of Guelph Academic Leader and circulate it for review and signature by their Department Chair/School Director (if applicable) and their College’s Associate Dean Research. Faculty members are encouraged to use the University of Guelph’s International MOU (research related) template.  It is strongly recommended that this template form the basis of discussions with the foreign institution.  However, if the foreign institution or organization has provided a draft MOU, the draft MOU should be attached to the University of Guelph International MOU Research-related Proposal Form as it will be reviewed and form the basis of discussions.
     
  • The complete, signed International MOU Research-related Proposal Form, along with the draft MOU if available, is to be sent to the Office of the Vice-President Research, c/o Abeir El Arqusosi, Executive Assistant to the Vice-President Research (a.arqusosi@exec.uoguelph.ca).
     
  • The Vice-President (Research), the Provost & Vice-President (Academic) and/or the Vice-President (External) (the “signatories”) as appropriate shall review the University of Guelph International MOU Research-related Proposal Form and, if appropriate, approve the proposed International MOU “in principle”.
     
  • Upon approval “in principle” and signature on the International MOU Research-related Proposal Form by the appropriate signatories, the International MOU proposed has been approved for further development. A copy of the complete, signed International MOU Research-related Proposal Form will be forwarded, along with the draft MOU if available, by the Office of the Vice-President Research to research.services@uoguelph.ca for assignment to the Manager, Legal Review.

Key Points for International MOUs

  • An International MOU does not commit University of Guelph to providing funds or resources, but resources may be expended at the discretion of the University in order to facilitate or support the International MOU.  In all cases, implementation of the research activities contemplated is achieved through separate agreement(s) and is dependent on the availability of funds and resources either from within the institution or from external sources. Particularly fruitful collaborations may lead to more formal and binding agreements. 
     
  • Generally, an International MOU usually remains in force for a period between three (3) and five (5) years and provides an umbrella for activities such as exchange of academic materials, faculty, staff and graduate student exchanges, joint research activities and publications, and participation in seminars and academic meetings.
     
  • International MOUs which have academic-related components, i.e. which contemplate exchange of undergraduate or graduate students, will require further review and approval by other units (e.g. Centre for International Programs).
     
  • An International MOU does not apply to any research applications, proposals, grants, contracts, project-specific requests for funding, research agreements etc. Memoranda of Understanding that involve funding of a research project or commitments of resources on behalf of the University of Guelph will follow the protocol for research proposals and agreements, as set out by the Research Services Office (e.g., will involve submission of a budget, proposal and an OR-5 Form).