The services supplied by JISC funded and co-funded services are usually defined in a Memorandum of Understanding with each service provider.

The Memoranda of Understanding contain descriptions of:

• the relationship between the service provider and the JISC
• the relationships between the service provider and the education community
• financial planning and reporting requirements
• budget changes
• the handling of changes to services and definitions pertaining to the services.

In a separate subsection (usually an annex to the main document) the expected service levels are defined, describing the range of services and the expected quality of provision for each service with performance indicators and details of expected reporting.

Most sections of the Memorandum of Understanding remain unchanged from year to year. However, the section (annex) defining service levels is updated more frequently, usually on an annual basis, particularly to add or remove services.