Signing of Memorandum of Understanding/Memorandum of Agreement

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) is a nonbinding agreement between two or more parties outlining the terms and details of an understanding, including each parties’ requirements and responsibilities. A MoU is often the first stage in moving towards a formal contract.
Further, a memorandum of agreement (MoA) is a written document describing a cooperative relationship between two parties wishing to work together on a project or to achieve an agreed upon objective. A MoA serves as a legal document and describes the terms and details of the partnership agreement. If an MoU or MoA is to be signed under a research project, or trial the PI. should ensure that the exact collaborative work and terms & conditions have been finalized between all the parties involved and are mentioned in the document. MoU/MoA will be signed by Dean (Research) only after legal and IPR vetting by the Legal Counsel of AIIMS with non-government funded project. With government funding agencies such as DBT, DST, ICMR etc., no such requirement.