What is a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)?

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is a formal document outlining the shared expectations of two or more parties as they collaborate toward a common objective. MOUs vary in levels of formality, and while some may be legally bonding, others are not. For Johns Hopkins University (JHU) purposes, MOUs generally do not involve the exchange of funding.

MOUs generally include:

  • Legal Names and Addresses of the Parties Involved

  • Project Description

  • Roles and Responsibilities of Each Party, and

  • The Terms of the Agreement

There are three types of MOUs:

  1. General Purpose MOUs: These are broad agreements demonstrating the commitment of the parties to explore or execute future activities. They are also referred to as “Play Nice” or “Umbrella” MOUs.

  2. Programmatic MOUs: These outline the responsibilities of multiple parties in specific sponsored projects, such as when two parties are funded under separate grants for a joint project.

  3. Educational Activities MOUs: These may involve tuition payment programs, academic credit agreements, dual degree programs, or related educational initiatives.

Why/When an MOU is Needed

An MOU is needed when two or more parties wish to formally outline their shared expectations and roles as they work toward a common goal. Based on the document, the reasons for using an MOU include:

  1. Formalizing Commitments: An MOU provides a clear framework for the collaboration between the parties, including their roles, responsibilities, and the terms of their relationship.

  2. Non-Financial Collaborations: At JHU, MOUs are specifically used in scenarios where no funding is exchanged. They help clarify responsibilities and expectations in partnerships without financial transactions.

  3. Programmatic or Educational Agreements: MOUs are used when parties collaborate on specific projects (like those funded by separate grants) or in educational settings, such as tuition programs, dual degrees, or academic credits.

  4. Exploration of Future Activities: MOUs, especially General Purpose or “Umbrella” MOUs, are used when parties wish to explore future collaborations without committing to specifics.

How To:

To initiate a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at JHU, the process for a faculty member is as follows:

  1. Consult Departmental Administration: The faculty member should first reach out to their departmental administrative staff.

  2. Submit a JAWS Intake Form: The department administration will then submit a JAWS Intake Form to formally lodge the request with the JHU Research Administration (JHURA). Agreement Intake | JHURA

  3. JHURA Review: Once submitted, JHURA will assign the MOU request to a Contracts Associate. This associate will:

    1. Review the details of the request.

    2. Customize a template if necessary.

    3. Negotiate with the other party.

    4. Recommend an alternate agreement type if needed.

  4. Additional Reviews: MOUs often require further review and approval by other functional units at JHU, which can impact the timeline.

  5. Timeline for Review: JHURA aims to conduct a substantive review of assigned MOU records within 10 days.

The specific details of the MOU process can vary depending on the school or department within Johns Hopkins University (JHU), as well as the nature of the agreement being established. Faculty members are encouraged to work closely with their department chairs and university offices to ensure that the MOU process is completed smoothly and in accordance with university policies.

Resources:

JHU Faculty MOU Resources/Templates

Types of Awards and Agreements | JHURA

JHURA review of funded/non-funded agreements | JHURA

Agreement Intake | JHURA

Contacts:

Please contact JHURA at JHURA@jhu.edu for general inquires. Faculty can contact their assigned Contracts Associate for specific issues.

Departmental assignments can be found here: JHURA Department Assignments | JHURA

Related Links:

 

 

 

We are always working to provide our faculty with current precise content. If you have brief suggestions to help us improve this page please comment below. For more extensive modifications please connect with us at BSPH.research@jhu.edu.