The founding organizations of the Inter-University Sustainable Development Research Programme are Manchester Metropolitan University (UK) where its Secretariat is based,  and the Hamburg University of Applied Sciences (Germany).  A Memorandum of Understanding is signed with Partner universities (via a Letter of Commitment), in order to formalize their involvement with the programme.  Partner universities may then be able to refer to themselves as members of IUSDRP, and can take part in all its activities, organize or co-organize events and coordinate or be partners in IUSDRP-led projects.