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The term memorandum of understanding (MOU) is used for documents agreeing to cooperation regarding some project or some general goal. The term is used for such agreements by the US National Science Foundation (NSF) with similar research organizations of other countries, as well as with other US entities such as NASA and the Department of Energy (DOE). Such agreements align goals and practices, increasing their efficiency in achieving their common goals. For example, the NSF had a MOU with (among others) the European Southern Observatory (ESO) regarding the design of ALMA.