Campus Resources for International Engagement

Today’s most pressing research questions are global. To support the university's growing international portfolio while maintaining compliance and common-sense security measures, Cornell provides these helpful resources and tools.

Formalizing Institutional Collaborations

Substantial collaborations with foreign universities or institutes (e.g., student or scholarly exchange or unfunded research collaboration activities) should be formalized by establishing a memorandum of agreement (MOA) and appropriate project agreements. Cornell has more than 240 MOA and project agreements on file with universities and institutes around the world. Your needs may already be addressed in an existing and active agreement. Before starting work on a new MOA, contact your operating unit's contract administrator to determine if an MOA that fits your specifications already exists.

All MOAs require the protection of academic freedom and non-discrimination on the basis of “age, ancestry, color, disability or handicap, national origin, race, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.”

Preparing Compliant Contracts and Grants

Research and other contracts with international collaborators should be completed well ahead of any deadlines related to funding, commencement of work, or public announcements, as they are extremely complicated and will likely require significant time to process. For externally sponsored research projects, the Office of Sponsored Programs oversees international collaborations and funding. For other international contracts, please reach out to your operating unit's contract administrator. 

The Global Operations team can assist in identifying the best type of contract for your contemplated activity. International contracts are just one area of expertise—we are also versed in international human resources, tax, and other regulatory compliance concerns. Email Global Operations.

Cornell is committed to maintaining compliance with export control laws and regulations released by the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S. Department of State, and the Office of Foreign Assets Control. Find out more about export controls on Research Services website or by email.

Intellectual Property

The Center for Technology Licensing (CTL) manages intellectual property (IP) in accordance with Cornell’s inventions and related property rights and copyright policies. All Cornell inventions must be disclosed in writing to CTL, which evaluates and protects disclosed technologies with appropriate means, including patent applications filed in the United States and other countries. CTL licenses technologies to corporate partners through license agreements. The CTL team works with the Export Controls Office to design and implement technology control plans and non-disclosure agreements to protect IP and material transfer.

Export Controls

The Export Controls Office oversees Cornell’s commitment to export control compliance and assists the university community in adhering to export control laws. Each individual is responsible for complying with export control laws. Controlled activities include transfers out of the U.S., receipt and use of controlled technology in the U.S., travel to foreign locations, and payment to foreign entities.

Restricted Party Screening

Cornell subscribes to a tool called Visual Compliance, which checks entities for any restricted status. Visual Compliance screens against denied, restricted, and sanctioned parties' watchlists published by the U.S. Department of Commerce, State, and Treasury, as well as watchlists from law enforcement agencies, international foreign bodies, and foreign governments. If you have an entity or individual you would like to screen or you wish to obtain access to Visual Compliance, please email Export Controls. The Global Operations team screens new collaborators as part of the Icertis contract management process. 

Immigration

For advice and assistance with bringing international researchers and faculty to the United States, consult International Services in the Office of Global Learning.

Faculty traveling abroad on university business may require a specific type of entry visa to enter the country lawfully. Cornell’s visa processing services vendor, Travel Document Systems, can advise and process most types of visas. They are particularly helpful in applying for certain visas that can be especially challenging (e.g., those for China, Russia, and Brazil).

University Oversight

The university has created an International Committee (IC) made up of senior university leadership and chaired by the vice provost for international affairs. This committee meets monthly during the school year and provides advice, support, and oversight for international activities across the university. 

The IC promotes the Guidelines on International Ethical Engagement to help faculty members collaborate with research partners in areas of the world where certain forms of speech and expression may be restricted while still protecting academic freedom. Additionally, when there are concerns about violations of academic freedom or other core Cornell values in faculty international engagements, the guidelines can help faculty members carefully consider and develop an appropriate response with assistance from university leadership.

 For questions on the International Committee or ethical engagement, please reach out to vpia@cornell.edu.

Updated: Dec. 2, 2024