Idaho State University is building on its partnership with an Idaho- based private medical school.

Idaho State and the Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine are poised to sign another joint agreement.

The “memorandum of agreement” will give ICOM instructors affiliate faculty status at Idaho State, and extend ICOM faculty status to Idaho State’s instructors. “The agreement will allow for increased health care-related research and funding opportunities at both institutions,” Idaho State said in a news release announcing the agreement.

Located next to Idaho State’s Meridian campus, ICOM already has a close working relationship with Idaho State.

ICOM operates in partnership with Idaho State and the schools offer several dual degrees. In May, the two institutions renewed a joint memorandum of understanding. And, as Idaho Education News reported in November, Idaho State is studying the feasibility of acquiring ICOM.

Idaho State and ICOM are scheduled to sign their next memorandum of agreement on Jan. 31.