IF this is simply a collaboration similar to an NIH "consortium", in which
one "lead" institution will be the prime awardee and the rest will be
subawardees, why not do something like your usual NIH consortium letter
that "agrees to agree", signed by the officials of the various
organizations empowered to sign grant proposals.  KISS!

If the ultimate goal is a separate legal entity,  now is the time to get
your legal counsel involved, although a simple letter agreement of
commitment, which states the goals, mentions the resources committed for
activities leading up to creating the entity, and defines who will be the
"lead" or "coordinating" party, can suffice to make all parties aware of
the rules of the game.

This sounds too unique for a stock solution and yet, at this stage, too
informal for fancy language.

Chuck

At 03:17 PM 8/28/00 -0500, you wrote:
>Hi, all --
>I am looking for examples of memoranda of agreement/understanding which can
>be modified for use as a document to unify a group of organizations in the
>initial stages of collaboration on a a grant project. Basically, we are
>stating that we "agree to agree" and that each organization's contribution
>to the specified effort is spelled out in an attachment. We wish to
>formalize our organized efforts but not (yet) give them the legal structure
>of operation under a separate legal entity.
>
>Any sample agreements or web site suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!
>
>P.S. I've already checked the AUTM web site.
>
>-----------------
>Molly Daniel
>Grants Specialist
>Planning Dept.
>Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center
>1000 Health Center Drive
>Mattoon, IL 61938-0372
>tel. 217-258-2195
>fax 217-258-4135
>email: xxxxxx@sblhs.org <mailto:xxxxxx@sblhs.org>
>web: www.sarahbush.org <http://www.sarahbush.org>
>
>
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Herbert B. Chermside, CRA
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