A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) has been recently signed between the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA) and Institute of Bangsamoro Studies (IBS). The parties are aware that issues and challenges facing the Bangsamoro people have to be responded to in appropriate policy and decision making process. Thus, they agree to jointly undertake researches relevant to the rehabilitation and development of the Bangsamoro and cooperate in the dissemination of findings. The end view of these researches is to be utilized and translated into policies for the benefit public institutions and the private sector.

The parties have established a joint secretariat composed of members representing the BDA, namely, Dr. Ayesah Abubakar, Engr. Windel Diangcalan, and Mr. Abdul-Jalil Umngan, and with IBS represented by Dr. Sulog Bra and Ms. Sarah A. Radam. The team shall recommend a research agenda to the executive directors of the BDA and IBS. They will also identify various Bangsamoro scholars who can participate in these researches.