International Partnerships and Agreements

Faculty may engage with existing, or connect with new partners through research, study abroad, or even developing pathway opportunities for incoming international students. Developing, sustaining, and expanding mutually-beneficial partnerships also requires collaboration with administration and faculty across all of RIT’s colleges. Not all partnership activity requires agreement.

Please reach out to Lyndsey McGrath to discuss current and new opportunities for international partnerships.

Preliminary Planning & Approvals 

• Timing: It is recommended that preliminary planning begin at least 8-weeks before a visit. 

• Define the Purpose and Benefits: Before inviting visitors to campus, consider why the visit is being arranged and how it aligns with RIT’s goals (e.g. exploring research collaboration, formalizing a partnership, exploring academic collaborations). Ensure the visit offers mutual benefits to both RIT and the international guests. Please note, if the purpose is to host a Visiting Scholar, 

• Secure Departmental Support: Discuss your intent to host with your department head and dean as early as possible. Make sure they approve of the visit and any departmental resources required. 

• Notify RIT Global: As soon as you have internal support, contact RIT Global via email to Lyndsey McGrath or RITGlobal@rit.edu to inform us of the potential visit. We strongly recommend doing this at least 6–8 weeks in advance of the arrival for proper coordination and scheduling. The email should contain:
  • name of the visiting university/organization

  • names and titles of the visitors

  • proposed dates 

  • purpose of the visit

• Formal Approvals: RIT Global will confirm any institutional approvals needed. We will coordinate with relevant RIT leadership to secure approvals and schedule meetings if appropriate. If government officials or high-ranking delegates are attending, additional protocols or notifications may apply, and RIT Global will guide you through those requirements.

• Formal Invitation: RIT Global will prepare a formal Letter of Invitation outlining the purpose of the visit and proposed dates, as well as advise on visa requirements for your visitors.

Visit Planning & Preparation 

• Financial Planning: Determine the budget and funding sources for the visit. Identify which expenses (meals, local transport, lodging, event costs) will be covered by your department or by the visitors, and ensure any reimbursements or honoraria following RIT’s policies. 

• Detailed Itinerary: Work with RIT Global to develop a detailed visit itinerary, including meetings with key RIT faculty or administrators, campus tours, and any presentations or events.

• Logistics & Hospitality: RIT Global will work with you to plan logistical details such as travel and campus parking arrangements, lodging or hotel reservations, local transportation, and dining or catering for the visit. Consider cultural or dietary needs of your guests (e.g., provide vegetarian meal options, adapt meeting etiquette, have interpreters if needed). If a signing ceremony or formal event is part of the visit (for example, signing an agreement), RIT Global will help coordinate the event and necessary materials.

Post Visit Follow-up

• Debrief and Next Steps: After your guests depart, hold a brief debrief meeting with RIT Global, your college or department leadership, and other RIT participants as appropriate to evaluate how the visit went and discuss any follow-up actions. If the visit laid groundwork for a partnership or project, plan how to maintain communication with the partners and involve RIT Global in next steps. 

• Express Gratitude: Send thank-you notes or emails to the visitors and any RIT units that contributed. RIT Global can provide guidance on cultural courtesy in follow-up communications if needed.

• Record & Reflect: RIT Global will update our records of international engagements with details of the visit. We encourage you to share any outcomes or plans that emerged, which can help in tracking the success of RIT’s global engagement efforts. 

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)

This agreement tends to be the first step in establishing a partnership. The scope of the agreement is generally to enhance mutual understanding and promote academic collaboration and cooperation through exploration of collaborative research, student and faculty exchange opportunities, student partnership programs, and other mutually agreed educational programs.

Partnership Pathway Program for Undergraduate and Graduate Studies

The goal of these agreements is to provide qualified students from the partner university an opportunity to study at RIT. The agreement outlines the program protocol allowing select students from the partner university to enroll in coursework at RIT and apply for admission. Some pathway programs may also include transfer credit articulation. 

Faculty Exchange

The goal of this agreement is to outline opportunities for faculty members of both institutions to teach, study, or conduct cooperative research. Generally exchanges will be on a one-to-one basis but need not be in the same semester.

Student Exchange

The goal of this agreement is to enable students to take classes as a non-degree seeking student, generally for one academic term. Students remain enrolled and pay tuition to their home institution. Exchange partnerships must be balanced, generally on a one-to-one basis.

Affiliation

The goal of an affiliation agreement is to outline the opportunity and protocol for a student to directly enroll in the partner institution as a study abroad student.

Direct Billing

The goal of the direct billing agreement is to outline the protocol and services provided in support of an RIT study abroad program.

International Agreement Request Process

Formalizing an international partnership—such as an institutional Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), partnership pathway program, student exchange agreement, or other collaboration—requires a structured process and multiple institutional approvals. RIT Global provides guidance and coordination at each stage to ensure partnerships align with RIT’s strategic goals and comply with all policies. Faculty or staff interested in establishing a new international partnership or agreement should follow these steps: 

Early Consultation & Concept Approval 

• Internal Discussion: Before any formal actions with a potential partner, discuss your idea within your department and college. Get support from your department chair and dean (or relevant unit head) for pursuing the partnership. You’ll want their endorsement that the collaboration is academically sound and beneficial to RIT. 

• Contact RIT Global: Reach out to RIT Global early with your partnership idea. We can provide an initial consultation, help assess fit with RIT’s strategic priorities, and advise on potential partnership models (e.g., partnership MOU, research MOU, partnership pathway, dual degree, exchange, etc.). No commitments should be made to the external institution by faculty or staff at this stage.  

Formal Proposal & Internal Review

• Partnership Proposal Submission: With college leadership support, complete the New RIT International Partnership Request form.  

• Partnership Assessment: RIT Global will reach out upon completion of the form to review the partnership request. An online introductory meeting for additional stakeholders may be suggested before moving forward with agreements depending on the type of agreement requested. For example, more complex agreements such as student exchange may involve more in-depth discussion of partnership fit and goals than an MOU.  

• Multilevel Review: Select agreements may require additional evaluation outside of the RIT Global office for academic fit, legal compliance, risk, and alignment with RIT policies. This review ensures the partnership meets standards for academic quality, student impact, compliance (e.g., accreditation, export controls), and resource sustainability. Again, not all agreement require this level of review and RIT Global will provide guidance through this process as necessary. Expect this review to take a few weeks; complex proposals may require additional questions or clarifications. 

Drafting the Agreement 

• Agreement Development: Once approved internally, RIT Global will work with you to select and provide the appropriate agreement template (e.g., an MOU, student exchange agreement, faculty exchange template, etc.). We use pre-approved RIT templates to expedite drafting and ensure compliance with all U.S. and RIT regulations. Please note, these templates are not posted publicly. RIT Global will provide a draft document(s) during this process.  

• Negotiation with Partner: In collaboration with RIT Global, the draft agreement is shared with the partner institution for their review and input. No signatures are needed at this stage – it’s an opportunity for both sides to agree on the terms and make minor adjustments. RIT Global, with input from RIT’s legal counsel and other appropriate office when necessary, will review any requested changes to ensure they’re acceptable and comply with policy requirements. This back-and-forth drafting phase can take several weeks or even months, especially if complex terms or translations are involved. 

Approvals & Signature 

• Final University Approval: Once both RIT and the partner institution reach an acceptable final draft, RIT Global will route the agreement for official signatures at RIT. Per university policy, only designated senior officials can sign international agreements (for example, the Provost or President, depending on the agreement type). RIT Global coordinates this signature process. 

• Partner Signatures: After RIT’s signatures are obtained, RIT Global will arrange for the document to be signed by the partner institution’s authorized representative. In some cases, signing ceremonies are organized if a delegation visit coincides with the partnership finalization. RIT Global can assist with planning such ceremonies.  

• Record Keeping: Once fully signed by both parties, the partnership agreement becomes official. RIT Global will archive the signed original in the university’s agreements repository and ensure copies are provided to you (the initiator), your Dean’s office, and relevant units. The partner institution also receives a fully signed copy for their records. 

Implementation & Follow-Up 

• Activate the Partnership: Work with RIT Global and your college to implement the partnership as outlined. This might involve launching exchange programs, collaborative research, or other activities defined in the agreement. RIT Global can help connect you with appropriate campus offices to get programs started. 

• Monitor and Evaluate: As the partnership progresses, maintain communication with your partner counterparts and RIT Global. We’ll help monitor the partnership’s outcomes and ensure it continues to meet academic and strategic objectives. If successful, partnerships often grow to involve more departments or activities over time. 

• Renewal or Expansion: Formal agreements typically have a set term (common duration is 5 years). RIT Global will notify you before the agreement expires and review outcomes with you and your college for guidance on renewal or possible partnership expansion. 

Things to Consider

Please consider the following questions when planning a collaboration with an international university or other international partner:

1. Do you have the support of your department chair and dean, or other leadership relevant to the partnership goals? 
2. Is the partner institution and its academic unit compatible with RIT’s reputation for excellence in teaching and research?
3. What are the joint academic activities in which the two institutions will engage? Some examples include:
   • Exchanges of, or visits by faculty, staff, and/or student researchers
   • Exchange of research materials or technical information
   • Research collaboration
   • Joint conferences or workshops
   • Scholarship collaboration
   • Special short-term projects
4. How will these activities benefit RIT?
5. What university resources will be required to carry out these activities? Examples:
   • Funds
   • Facilities and office space
   • Research materials, tools, databases, equipment
   • Time and effort of RIT personnel
6. When will the activities ideally begin?
7. Will you be sharing or jointly developing any intellectual property?
8. What will the financial obligations of RIT and the partner institution be? Some examples include:
   • Who pays for travel, housing, health insurance, living expenses, etc?
   • Will any payments be made by one party to the other?
   • Will any fees be charged for laboratory or overhead expenses?
   • Will either party be contributing money to student scholarships?
9. Will the activities taking place at RIT be supported by funding from any external sources?
10. How many years would you like the agreement to be in effect? (3-5 years is common.)
11. Who else at RIT and what other colleges and departments can be involved in the activities of the partnership? Partnerships are more successful when there is engagement across the university.