Sample Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Template
(Courtesy of the U.S. State Department)



MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
BETWEEN
THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY
OF THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

AND

THE KOREAN AGENCY FOR TECHNOLOGY AND STANDARDS
OF THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE, INDUSTRY AND ENERGY
OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA

FOR

COOPERATION RELATING TO STANDARDIZATION, CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT AND LEGAL
METROLOGY

        The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) of the Department of Commerce of the United States of America, and Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS) of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy of the Republic of Korea, hereinafter, referred to as "the Parties";

        Desiring to promote mutual interest through cooperation in the field of standardization, conformity assessment and legal metrology on the basis of equality and mutual benefit;

         Recognizing that such cooperation shall promote economic cooperation and support the friendly relationships between two countries; and

        Pursuant to the relevant provisions of the Agreement Relating to Scientific and Technical Cooperation Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of Korea, signed on July 2,1999 ( hereinafter referred to as " the Agreement";

        Have Agreed as Follows:

Article 1

        The Parties will support cooperation in the fields of standardization, conformity assessment and legal metrology on the basis of equality and mutual benefits, in accordance with the provisions of this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the Agreement and the respective laws and regulation of the two countries.

Article 2

        Cooperation may include the following:

    1. Joint or cooperative programs and projects of mutual benefit, including visits and exchange of scientists and other experts or technical personnel;

    2. Mutual cooperation in international and regional organizations relating to standardization, conformity assessment and legal metrology;

    3. Organizations of and participation in conferences, symposia, courses, workshops, exhibitions and other joint meetings of mutual interest;

    4. Exchange of technical data and information relating to standardization, conformity assessment and legal metrology;

    5. Operation of joint raining/education programs to raise competency in standardization, conformity assessment and legal metrology; and

    6. Other forms of co-operation as agreed by the Parties, including meetings between the two Parties on a regular basis.

Article 3

    1.          Cooperative activities under this MOU shall be subject to the availability of funds and personnel. The terms of financing shall be agreed upon in writing by the Parties before the commencement of activities.

    2.         Whenever more than the exchange of technical information or exchange visits of individuals or promotion activities is planned to take place, such activity shall be described in a Project Annex to this MOU which shall set forth as appropriate to the activity, a work plan, staffing requirements, cost estimates, funding source, and other undertakings, obligations, or conditions not included in this MOU.

Article 4

         The Parties should consult with each other before any information derived from cooperation activities under this MOU is disclosed for commercial or industrial purposes.

Article 5

  1. Any issues arising from the interpretation or implementation of this MOU will be settled through consultations between the Parties or such other means as they may mutually decide. The Parties do not anticipate the creation of or exchange of intellectual property during the course o this MOU.

  2. Notwithstanding paragraph 1 of this Article, issues for the protection and distribution of intellectual property created or furnished in the course of cooperative activities under this MOU shall be settled in accordance with the provisions of Annex I of the Agreement and the security obligations shall be settled in accordance with the provisions of Annex II of the Agreement.

Article 6

  1. This MOU shall enter in force upon signature by both Parties and remains in force for a period of five (5) years, unless terminated earlier by either Party upon ninety (90) days, written notice to the other Party.

  2. The termination this MOU shall not affect the validity or duration of projects under this MOU that are initiated prior to such termination.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the unsigned being duly authorized by the respective Governments, have signed this MOU.

Done at Washington, D.C., in duplicate on the ________of________, 200_ , in the English language.

FOR THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA:

 

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FOR THE KOREAN AGENCY FOR TECHNOLOGY AND STANDARDS OF THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE, INDUSTRY AND ENERGY
OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA:

 

_____________________________________