Guiding Principles

Before initiating or pursuing an international agreement or partnership, UNLV faculty/staff should consider the following guiding principles:

• Shared Values: Potential international partners should align with UNLV’s core values.
• Depth of Collaboration: While initial discussions may focus on a single area, long-term agreements should be built on multiple, meaningful collaboration points that benefit both institutions.
• Sustainability: Partnerships must be realistic and sustainable, with adequate resources (funding, space, staffing, etc.) to support ongoing activities.
• Legal and Policy Compliance: All partnerships must comply with U.S. and Nevada laws and NSHE and UNLV policies.
• Financial Transparency: Financial aspects of the partnership must be clearly outlined and approved to ensure compliance with all relevant requirements.
• Institutional Review: All international partnerships are coordinated through UNLV Global and must be formally reviewed and approved by the Office of General Counsel (OGC) and the senior vice provost for Academic Affairs (SVPAA).

How to Propose an International Partnership

The following is an overview of initiating or renewing an MOU or a CA agreement at UNLV.  For more detailed information on the approval process, please use the UNLV Global International Agreements and Partnerships Guide. You may also use the International Partnership Proposal Form to begin the process.

Process for Proposing a MOU

1. Hold Internal Discussions: Departmental discussions can be initiated by faculty, UNLV Global, or senior leadership. The potential partnership should be discussed with and approved by the relevant dean prior to submitting an MOU request.
2. Submit the International Partnership Proposal Form: Complete the form to submit your MOU proposal. This form will ask you to capture partner information and outline potential areas of collaboration.
3. Vet the Partnership through UNLV Global: UNLV Global will share the MOU request with The Graduate College and/or Undergraduate Education and High Impact Practices and assess the partner institution quality, rankings, and proposed activities described on the form.
4. Create and Review the MOU Draft: If approved to move forward, UNLV Global will provide a template draft of the MOU, which your department or UNLV Global will  route to your partner for review. Any suggested tracked changes should be routed back to UNLV Global for review prior to signing.
5. Route the MOU for Signatures: The partner signs the MOU first. UNLV stakeholders and the senior vice provost for academic affairs/provost/president will sign last.
6. Distribute and Store the MOU: The final MOU will be stored by UNLV Global and shared with stakeholders.

Process for Proposing a CA

1. Conduct Pre-Work for the CA: The department should discuss and define the scope,  timeline, and responsibilities for the proposed joint activities and gain the approval of the relevant dean.
2. Submit the International Partnership Proposal Form: Complete the form to submit your CA proposal. This form will ask you to share information about responsibilities, cost-sharing, and risk planning.
3. Create and Review the CA Draft: Based on approved agreement templates, UNLV Global will work with the department to draft the agreement. UNLV Global or the department will negotiate terms with the partner institutions using tracked changes.
4. Route the CA for Stakeholder Sign-Off: The agreement draft will be sent to all relevant UNLV departments for technical feedback and then shared with the international partner for their final review.
5. Route the CA for Signatures: UNLV OGC initials are first, followed by the partner institution and stakeholder signatures. The senior vice provost for academic affairs/provost/president will sign last.
6. Distribute and Store the CA: The final version of the CA will be provided to units digitally and stored by UNLV Global.