Instructions and Template Version Date 2/12/12
Instructions for Use of Letter of Agreement Template
A Letter of Agreement from organizations cooperating in CU sponsored research is
necessary to ensure that relevant information regarding the proposed research has been
shared with and agreed to by the appropriate agency/institutional authority.
1. An appropriate agency/institutional authority is someone that has signatory approval for
the organization. In the case of a school district, it will generally be the district authority.
2. The appropriate agency/institutional authority must complete the Letter of Agreement;
they are encouraged to use the template on the next page as a guide to what must be
included. The letter should be on official agency letterhead.
3. The appropriate agency/institutional authority must fill in the bracketed, bolded text with
information that is relevant to the research that they have agreed to participate in. A
specific description of the role the organization will play in the research must be
included.
4. The appropriate agency/institutional authority must sign and date the Letter of Agreement
and send it to the PI, or to the IRB.
5. The PI must submit a copy of the Letter of Agreement to the IRB Office before approval
can be obtained.
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[Cooperating Organization’s Letterhead]
Letter of Agreement
[Date]
Dear [Investigator’s Name],
I am familiar with your research project titled [title of research protocol] and your
desire to have [agency/institution name] involved with it. I understand the role of
[agency/institution name] to be [specific description of role of agency, such as allowing
employees to be interviewed, providing archival data, allowing students to be observed, etc.
Note: be sure to list all major data collection activities and groups.]
We have also discussed the role of [involved agency/institution individuals; e.g.,
employees, students, clients, etc.] and I am satisfied that their safety and welfare are adequately
protected as described in the research protocol. In addition, I understand that this research will be
carried out following sound ethical principles and that involvement in this research, for both
[agency name] and [involved agency/institutional individuals], is strictly voluntary and
guarantees the protection of participant’s privacy. In particular, I understand that the
investigator cannot provide me with data that might allow anyone other than the research team to
identify anyone’s answers unless permission has been specifically given by the subject [Note:
this language may vary depending on the situation.] [Involved agency/institution
individuals; e.g., employees, students, clients, etc.] understand what, if anything, they expect
in return for participation in this research.
Therefore, as a representative of [agency name], I agree to allow you to conduct your
research at our agency/institution.
Sincerely,
[name & title of agency/institutional authority]
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