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 at Vienna June 21, 2006;

Acknowledging the 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 that was in effect until June 28, 2015;

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; and

Recognizing the importance of the Latvian Participant's efforts to reach parity in support of the Fulbright Academic Exchange Program in Latvia;

Have reached the following understanding:

SECTION 1

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 (hereinafter referred to as "the Fulbright Program") in education, science and research based on circumstances that are mutually beneficial.

SECTION 2

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

SECTION 3

The Participants plan to exchange information about the participation of their respective 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 Program to stimulate the cooperation of educational, scientific and research institutions in their respective countries and to 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 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 is to be open and merit-based, consistent with principles established by the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board of the United States of America.

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 nine (9) months of research or instruction.

SECTION 8

The U. S. Participant intends to coordinate the funding and implementation of the Fulbright Program in the Republic of Latvia and in the United States of America. The U.S. Participant, through the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, should fund stipends, living allowances, and health benefits for students, lecturers, and researchers participating in the Fulbright Program, depending on the availability of funds.

SECTION 9

A. To further assist with the management and administration of the Fulbright Program in Latvia, the Participants have created selection committees to handle matters related to application review, interviews, and selection of candidates for the Program.

B. The U.S. Participant expects the Latvian Participant to have one seat, which carries with it one vote, on each selection committee for the Visiting Student and Visiting Scholar programs. The Latvian Participant's representative(s) may be appointed at the discretion of the Latvian Participant, but each position is to be filled by a new representative annually. All representatives are expected to have strong English language skills and a background (e.g., education and working experience) in education or educational administration.

SECTION 10

In carrying out this Memorandum of Understanding, the Latvian Participant, consistent with laws and other legal requirements 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 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 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 Program to: provide adequate work space and equipment required for academic research; assign advisers as needed; grant access to libraries and archives of the host institutions; and allow participants to attend programs, courses, lectures, and seminars of their choice.

SECTION 13

The Latvian Participant intends to continue to furnish one round-trip or two one-way airplane tickets to each Latvian Visiting Scholar, Lecturer and Visiting Student participating in the Fulbright Program.

SECTION 14

The Latvian Participant intends to strive to further cooperate with the U.S. Participant 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 15

The Participants intend that the academic exchanges foreseen in this Memorandum of Understanding be implemented in accordance with the laws and regulations in force in their respective countries, including those concerning the availability of funds.

SECTION 16

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 17

A. This Memorandum of Understanding is intended to commence upon its signing by both Participants and to continue for a period of five (5) years, renewing automatically for an additional five-year period unless one of the Participants objects in writing to the other Participant.

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

C. This Memorandum of Understanding may, at any time, be discontinued by either Participant. The discontinuing Participant should inform the other Participant in writing at least six (6) months in advance of its intent to discontinue. Unless decided otherwise, the Participants do not intend for discontinuation of this Memorandum of Understanding to affect the projects or programs already implemented under the Memorandum of Understanding but not yet completed at the time of discontinuation.

Signed at Riga, this 16^th day of December 2016, in duplicate, in the Latvian and English languages.