In the mid 1970s, the traditional model of international cooperation – characterized by the training of students in the best occidental universities, the circulation of researchers from developed countries within developing countries and the transference of techniques – was challenged. The establishment of bilateral accords involving the training of researchers and students, along with the development of joint research projects co-financed by Brazilian funding agencies, are examples of changes in the direction of a more advanced form of collaboration. This article proposes to briefly examine the strategies adopted for the classification of north/south partnerships.