The bilateral agreement provides a framework for cooperation between Norwegian and American scientists. It was signed Friday, December 9, 2005, in the Treaty Room of the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. The signers were Oeystein Djupedal, Norwegian Minister of Education and Research, and Arden Bement, Director of the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF). The ceremony was witnessed by officials of the State Department; NSF; the Norwegian Ambassador, Knut Vollebaek; other Norwegian government officials; and members of the scientific and diplomatic communities.