Policy
Directive
Effective Date: April 16, 1999
Expiration Date: December 31, 2031
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NASA Policy Directive |
NPD 1360.2B Effective Date: April 16, 1999 Expiration Date: December 31, 2031 |
Change Log
Change # |
Date |
Description |
1 |
August 28, 2014 |
Update with 1400 compliance and administrative changes, title changes, and corrected authority |
2 |
April 26, 2019 |
Update with 1400 compliance and updated policy statement. |
2 |
November 25, 2025 |
Directives revalidated for another 5 years with administrative changes made to clarify policy, roles and responsibilities, and to bring the directive in compliance with requirement for directives. |
a. It is NASA's policy to engage in civil international cooperation that enhances its mission, programs, and projects.
(1) NASA encourages mutually beneficial international cooperation when it enhances the technical, scientific, economic, or foreign policy outcomes for NASA activities. International cooperation has been a cornerstone of NASA's activities throughout its history, bringing multiple benefits to NASA and its partners.
(2) Exploratory discussions with prospective international partners are helpful in determining the feasibility of proposed international cooperative activities. Agency commitments to proceed with a potential cooperative effort are not to be made or implied in these exploratory discussions.
(3) Proposals for international cooperation are encouraged. Such proposals will relate to international participation in NASA activities, NASA participation in international activities, or joint international collaborative efforts. Proposals should consider technical and scientific benefits to NASA programmatic objectives. Project proposals should also consider the known scientific, technical, and budgetary capabilities of the prospective partner.
(4) Each activity is established in a formal written and signed agreement with the foreign entity that defines the responsibilities between NASA and the cooperating partner. However, commitment by NASA to cooperate in a specific cooperative activity is only made in a project-specific agreement after full coordination and approval by the relevant NASA offices, and in consultation with other United States (U.S.) Government agencies when required.
(5) As the civil space agency responsible for peaceful research, science, and exploration, NASA cooperation is generally with civil entities. Due to the technical and scientific complexity of many of NASA's projects, NASA's cooperation is generally with governmental entities. On a case by case basis, NASA may also partner with other types of entities, such as foreign universities or foreign private entities.
(6) NASA generally pursues mutually beneficial no-exchange-of-funds cooperation, with each partner funding its own commitments, although the respective investment need not be equivalent.
(7) A foreign entity may reimburse NASA in accordance with NPD 1050.7, Authority to Enter into Partnership Agreements, NASA may procure goods or services from a foreign entity in accordance with NPD 1000.5, Policy for NASA Acquisition.
(8) Arrangements for international collaborations will protect against the unwarranted transfer of technology, in accordance with U.S. export laws and regulations.
(9) Impacts on the U.S. industrial base, supply chain, and competitiveness will also be considered when formulating, evaluating, and approving potential international collaborations.
(10) Each cooperative activity should demonstrate a specific benefit to NASA and the United States. Science projects will include a commitment to make any scientific results available to the international scientific community as soon as practicable and consistent with standing policy.
(11) Each cooperative activity will be consistent with the Agency's civil mission, as described in the Space Act.
a. This directive applies to NASA Headquarters and NASA Centers , including Component Facilities, and Technical and Service Support Centers. This language applies to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, a Federally Funded Research and Development Center, to the extent specified or referenced in the applicable contracts.
b. In this directive, all document citations are assumed to be the latest version unless otherwise noted.
c. In this directive, all mandatory actions (i.e., requirements) are denoted by statements containing the term "shall." The terms: "may" or "can" denote discretionary privilege or permission, "should" denotes a good practice and is recommended, but not required, "will" denotes expected outcome, and "are/is" denotes descriptive material.
National Aeronautics and Space Act, as amended, 51 U.S.C. 20102(d)(7), 20113(c), and 20164.
a. NASA Policy Directive (NPD) 1000.5, Policy for NASA Acquisition.
b. NPD 1050.7, Authority to Enter into Partnership Agreements.
a. NASA's Office of International and Interagency Relations (OIIR) shall:
(1) Provide executive leadership and overall coordination for all of NASA's international partnerships, including providing expert advice to agency officials related to international engagement and staffing senior agency officials in their engagements with senior international officials.
(2) Build and maintain productive relationships with international partners, including coordinating strategic discussions with international partners, and designing and implementing engagement strategies, initiatives, and approaches for cultivating partners, developing cooperation, and coordinating plans and activities.
(3) Work with the cognizant Mission Directorate, organization, or Center in considering, developing, and formalizing international cooperation.
(4) Lead discussions and negotiations related to international activities, including drafting and concluding all associated agreements and documentation, in consultation with the relevant Mission Directorate(s), organization(s), or Center(s) and as appropriate, seek review of NASA agreements with foreign entities through the U.S. Department of State's Circular 175 Procedure.
(5) Ensure that all international cooperation is consistent with Administration and Agency policy.
(6) Lead NASA's engagement with other U.S. Government organizations to support U.S. foreign policy.
(7) Coordinate with the Office of General Counsel to ensure that all international cooperation is consistent with relevant laws.
(8) Maintain and support implementation of all agreements with foreign entities and provide ongoing support to operational activities.
b. The relevant Mission Directorate(s) or organization(s) shall:
(1) Manage NASA's programs and projects.
(2) For international activities, determine the technical, scientific, and programmatic desirability, feasibility, standards, content, cost impact, timing, adequacy of the proposed management structure, and NASA policies related to specific programmatic aspects such as safety and mission assurance requirements.
(3) Coordinate with OIIR on exploratory discussions with prospective foreign entities. Full coordination and approval occurs before Agency commitments are implied or made.
None.
Compliance with this policy will be measured by senior management's evaluation of performance.
NPD 1360.2A, Initiation and Development of International Cooperation in Space and Aeronautics Programs, dated April 16, 1999.
A.1 Anti-Deficiency Act, 31 U.S.C. 1341.
A.2 Reviving the National Space Council, Executive Order 13803.
A.3 NPD 1000.3, The NASA Organization.
A.4 NPD 1370.1, Reimbursable Utilization of NASA Facilities by Foreign Entities and Foreign-Sponsored Research.
A.5 NPD 2190.1, NASA Export Control Program.
A.6 NPD 8700.1, NASA Policy for Safety and Mission Success.
A.7 NASA Procedural Requirements (NPR) 1080.1 Requirements for the Conduct of NASA Research and Technology (R&T).
A.8 NPR 1600.1, NASA Security Program.
A.9 NPR 2810.1, Security of Information Technology.
A.10 NASA Advisory Implementing Instruction (NAII) 1050.1E, Space Act Agreements Guide
A.11 NAII 1050.3, NASA Partnerships Guide.
A.12 NAII 2190.1, NASA Export Control Program Operations Manual.
A.13 SPD-41A, Scientific Information Policy for the Science Mission Directorate.
A.14 National Space Policy of the United States of America, December 9, 2020.
A.15 National Space Transportation Policy, November 21, 2013.
A.16 U.S. Department of State's Circular 175 Procedure.
None.
This document does not bind the public, except as authorized by law or as incorporated into a contract. This document is uncontrolled when printed. Check the NASA Online Directives Information System (NODIS) Library to verify that this is the correct version before use: https://nodis3.gsfc.nasa.gov.