MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF LATVIA AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ON THE FULBRIGHT ACADEMIC EXCHANGE PROGRAM

The Government of the Republic of Latvia and the Government of the United States of America (hereinafter jointly referred to as "the Participants" and, in the singular, as "Latvian Participant" and "U.S. Participant");

Noting the continuing successful cooperation in the area of education and science;

Considering the purposes set forth in the Agreement Between the European Community and the United States of America Renewing a Program of Cooperation in Higher Education and Vocational Education and Training signed in Vienna on June 21, 2006; and

Seeking to develop cooperation between educational, scientific, and research institutions of the Republic of Latvia and the United States of America, in addition to promoting mutual understanding and friendship between our two nations;

Have reached the following understanding:

Section 1

The coordinator of this Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of the Republic of Latvia is the Ministry of Education and Science (or the designated Latvian representative), and on behalf of the United States of America, the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in Riga (or designated U.S. Embassy representative).

Section 2

The purpose of this Memorandum of Understanding is to strengthen and develop ties between the Participants in the process of implementing the Fulbright Academic Exchange Program in education, science and research based on circumstances that are mutually beneficial.

Section 3

In executing this Memorandum of Understanding, the Participants plan to exchange information about the participation of each country’s educational, scientific, and research institutions in the Fulbright Program in order to prioritize their educational, scientific, and research needs.

Section 4

The Participants intend for their participation in the Fulbright Academic Exchange Program to stimulate the cooperation of educational, scientific and research institutions in both countries and encourage improvement in the qualifications of academic professionals, scholars, educators and students, and the promotion of common scientific research projects.

Section 5

In carrying out this Memorandum of Understanding, the U.S. Participant intends to coordinate the management of the Fulbright Academic Exchange Program in the Republic of Latvia, organize the primary selection of candidates for the Program, as well as the development of scientific and teaching activities, and investigate the need for additional academic exchanges. Selection of candidates will be open and merit-based, adhering to principles established by the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board.

Section 6

Each year, the U.S. Participant intends to nominate students from higher educational institutions of the Republic of Latvia to study at U.S. universities and to coordinate the sending of U.S. students to academic and educational institutions in the Republic of Latvia for study, research, or academic internships.

Section 7

Each year, the U.S. Participant intends to nominate scholars from the Republic of Latvia to lecture and/or conduct research at U.S. universities and scientific institutions and to coordinate the sending of U.S. scholars to academic and educational institutions in the Republic of Latvia for three (3) to ten (10) months of research or instruction.

Section 8

Each year, the U.S. Participant intends to nominate secondary school teachers from the Republic of Latvia to participate in professional development and exchange programs in the United States.

Section 9

The U.S. Participant intends to coordinate the funding and implementation of the Fulbright Academic Exchange Program in the Republic of Latvia and in the United States of America. The U.S. Department of State`s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs ("ECA") should fund stipends, living allowances, travel costs, and health insurance to students, lecturers, and researchers participating in the Fulbright Academic Exchange Program, depending on the availability of funds.

Section 10

In carrying out this Memorandum of Understanding, the Latvian Participant adhering to laws and other legal acts that are valid in the Republic of Latvia, intends to encourage governmental, educational, scientific, and research institutions to provide the most favorable conditions for the implementation of the Fulbright Academic Exchange Program in the Republic of Latvia.

Section 11

The Latvian Participant intends to ensure the timely approval and issuance of residency permits and other legal documentation necessary for students, lecturers, and researchers (and their accompanying spouses and dependents) to participate in the Fulbright Academic Exchange Program in the Republic of Latvia.

Section 12

The Latvian Participant intends to work with its educational, scientific, and research institutions receiving participants in the Fulbright Academic Exchange Program: to provide adequate work space and equipment required for academic research; to assign advisers as needed; to grant access to libraries and archives of the host institutions; and to allow participants to attend programs, courses, lectures, and seminars of their choice.

Section 13

The Latvian Participant intends to strive to further cooperation with the United States by seeking the allocation of additional resources for Fulbright scholarships for Latvian students and scholars in fields of special interest for Latvia. Arrangements for such opportunities should be worked out separately.

Section 14

The Participants intend that the academic exchanges foreseen in this Memorandum of Understanding would be implemented in accordance with the valid laws and regulations of each country, including those concerning the availability of funds.

Section 15

The Participants intend to exchange information about the implementation of this Memorandum of Understanding and to resolve any disputes or ambiguities amicably through consultation or negotiation between them.

Section 16

1. This Memorandum of Understanding is intended to commence upon its signing by both Participants and to continue for a period of three (3) years.

2. This Memorandum of Understanding may be modified in writing by the mutual consent of the Participants.

3. This Memorandum of Understanding may, at any time, be discontinued by one of the Participants upon informing the other Participant in writing. The Participant wishing to discontinue its participation should provide the other Participant with at least six (6) months’ written notice in advance of its intent to do so.

SIGNED at Riga, in duplicate this 29 day of January 2010 in the Latvian and English languages.