Exhibit 13(e)(i)


                      FORM OF NEUBERGER BERMAN EQUITY FUNDS

                               INSTITUTIONAL CLASS

                            ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT

            This  Agreement is made as of December 16, 2000,  between  Neuberger
Berman Equity Funds, a Delaware  business trust ("Trust"),  and Neuberger Berman
Management  Inc., a New York corporation  ("Administrator")  with respect to the
Institutional Class of shares.

      WHEREAS, the Trust is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940,
as amended  ("1940  Act"),  as an open-end,  diversified  management  investment
company and may establish  several  separate series of shares  ("Series"),  with
each Series having its own assets and investment policies,  and with each Series
having one or more classes of shares;

      WHEREAS,  the  Trust  desires  to  retain  the  Administrator  to  furnish
administrative services,  including shareholder accounting,  recordkeeping,  and
other  services to  shareholders,  to each Series  listed in Schedule A attached
hereto  (as it may be  amended  from  time to  time,  or,  as  appropriate,  the
Institutional  Class of each such Series),  and the  Administrator is willing to
furnish such services;

      NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of the premises and mutual  covenants
herein contained, the parties agree as follows:

      1.    SERVICES OF THE ADMINISTRATOR.



            1.1 ADMINISTRATIVE  SERVICES.  The Administrator shall supervise the
business  and  affairs  of each  Series  and its  Institutional  Class and shall
provide such services  required for effective  administration of such Series and
their  Institutional  Class as are not  provided by  employees  or other  agents
engaged by such  Series;  PROVIDED,  that the  Administrator  shall not have any
obligation  to  provide  under  this  Agreement  any  services  related  to  the
distribution of a Series's shares, or any other services that are the subject of
a separate  agreement  or  arrangement  between a Series and the  Administrator.
Subject to the foregoing, in providing  administrative  services hereunder,  the
Administrator shall:

                  1.1.1 OFFICE SPACE, EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES. Furnish without
cost to each Series and its Institutional Class, or pay the cost of, such office
space, office equipment and office facilities as are adequate for the needs of
the Series and its Institutional Class;

                  1.1.2 PERSONNEL.  Provide,  without remuneration from or other
cost to each Series, the services of individuals competent to perform all of the
executive,  administrative  and  clerical  functions  of  each  Series  and  its
Institutional  Class that are not performed by employees or other agents engaged
by the Series or by the Administrator  acting in some other capacity pursuant to
a separate agreement or arrangement with the Series;

                  1.1.3 AGENTS. Assist each Series in selecting and coordinating
the activities of the other agents engaged by the Series, including the Series's
shareholder servicing agent, custodian, independent auditors and legal counsel;

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                  1.1.4   TRUSTEES  AND  OFFICERS.   Authorize  and  permit  the
Administrator's directors, officers or employees who may be elected or appointed
as  trustees  or  officers  of the  Trust to serve in such  capacities,  without
remuneration from or other cost to the Trust or any Series;

                  1.1.5 BOOKS AND RECORDS. Assure that all financial, accounting
and other  records  required to be  maintained  and preserved by each Series are
maintained  and preserved by it or on its behalf in accordance  with  applicable
laws and regulations; and

                  1.1.6 REPORTS AND FILINGS.  Assist in the  preparation of (but
not pay for) all periodic reports by each Series or its  Institutional  Class to
shareholders  of such Series or Class and all  reports  and filings  required to
maintain the registration and  qualification of the Series and the Institutional
Class shares, or to meet other regulatory or tax requirements  applicable to the
Series or its  Institutional  Class,  under federal and state securities and tax
laws.

            1.2 SHAREHOLDER AND RELATED SERVICES (INSTITUTIONAL CLASS ONLY). The
Administrator shall provide each of the following services as may be required by
any  Series,  its  shareholders  (each of which must be either a  broker-dealer,
pension  plan   administrator,   or  other  institution  that  provides  certain
accounting,   recordkeeping  and  other  services  to  its  accounts  (each,  an
"Institution")):

                  1.2.1 PURCHASE  ORDERS.  Receive for acceptance,  as agent for
the  Series,  orders  from  Institutions  for  the  purchase  of  Series  shares
transmitted or delivered to the office of the  Administrator,  note the time and
date of each order when received, promptly deliver payment for such purchases to
the  Series'  custodian  ("Custodian"),  and  coordinate  with the Series or its

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designees for the issuance of the  appropriate  number of shares so purchased to
the appropriate Institution;

                  1.2.2  RECORDS.  Maintain  records  of the number of shares of
each  Series  attributable  to each  Institution  (including  name,  address and
taxpayer  identification number), record all changes to such shares held by each
Institution  on a daily basis,  and furnish to each Series each business day the
total number of shares of such Series attributable to all shareholders;

                  1.2.3 REDEMPTION REQUESTS. Receive for acceptance requests and
directions from Institutions for the redemption of Series shares  transmitted or
delivered  to the  office of the  Administrator,  note the time and date of each
request when received,  process such requests and directions in accordance  with
the redemption procedures set forth in the then current Prospectus and Statement
of Additional  Information  ("SAI") of the Series,  and deliver the  appropriate
documentation to the Custodian;

                  1.2.4 WIRE  TRANSFERS.  Coordinate and implement  bank-to-bank
wire  transfers in connection  with Series share  purchases and  redemptions  by
Institutions;

                  1.2.5 REDEMPTION  PAYMENTS.  Upon receipt of monies paid to it
by the Custodian with respect to any  redemption of Series shares,  pay or cause
such monies to be paid pursuant to instructions by the appropriate Institution.

                  1.2.6 EXCHANGES.  Receive and execute orders from Institutions
to exchange shares by concurrent purchases and redemptions of shares of a Series

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and shares of other Series or of other  investment  companies or series  thereof
pursuant to each Series's then current Prospectus and SAI;

                  1.2.7 DIVIDENDS. Based upon information received from a Series
regarding  dividends or other  distributions  on Series  shares,  calculate  the
dividend or distribution  attributable to each Institution;  if such dividend or
distribution is payable in shares or by  reinvestment in shares,  calculate such
shares  for each  Institution  and  record  same in the share  records  for each
Institution,  and if such  dividend  or  distribution  is payable in cash,  upon
receipt of monies  therefor from the  Custodian,  pay or cause such monies to be
paid to the appropriate Institution or as such Institution may direct;

                  1.2.8  INQUIRIES.  Respond to telephonic,  mail, and in-person
inquiries from  Institutions  or their  representatives  requesting  information
regarding matters such as shareholder  account or transaction  status, net asset
value ("NAV") of Series shares, Series performance,  Series services,  plans and
options,  Series  investment  policies,  Series portfolio  holdings,  and Series
distributions and taxation thereof;

                  1.2.9 COMPLAINTS.  Deal with complaints and  correspondence of
Institutions directed to or brought to the attention of the Administrator;

                  1.2.10  REPORTS;  PROXIES.  Distribute as  appropriate  to all
shareholders all Series reports,  dividend and distribution  notices,  and proxy
material  relating  to any  meeting  of  Series  shareholders,  and  soliciting,
processing and tabulating proxies for such meetings;

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                  1.2.11  SPECIAL  REPORTS.  Generate or develop and  distribute
special data, notices, reports, programs and literature required by Institutions
generally in light of developments, such as changes in tax laws; and

                  1.2.12  AGENTS.  Assist  any  institutional   servicing  agent
("Agent")  engaged  by  the  Series  in  the  development,   implementation  and
maintenance  of the  following  special  programs  and  systems to enhance  each
Series's capability to service its shareholders:

            (a)  Training programs for personnel of such Agent;

            (b) Joint  programs with such Agent for the  development  of systems
software, shareholder information reports, and other special reports;

            (c) Automatic data exchange  facilities with  shareholders  and such
Agent;

            (d)   Automated   clearing   house   transfer   procedures   between
shareholders and such Agent; and

            (e) Touch-tone  telephone  information and  transaction  systems for
shareholders.

      2.    EXPENSES OF EACH SERIES.

            2.1  EXPENSES  TO BE PAID BY THE  ADMINISTRATOR.  The  Administrator
shall  pay all  salaries,  expenses  and  fees  of the  officers,  trustees,  or
employees  of  the  Trust  who  are  officers,  directors  or  employees  of the
Administrator.  If the Administrator  pays or assumes any expenses of the Trust,
Series or Class not  required to be paid or assumed by the  Administrator  under

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this Agreement, the Administrator shall not be obligated hereby to pay or assume
the same or any similar  expense in the future;  PROVIDED,  that nothing  herein
contained shall be deemed to relieve the  Administrator of any obligation to the
Trust or to a Series  or Class  under  any  separate  agreement  or  arrangement
between the parties.

            2.2  EXPENSES TO BE PAID BY THE SERIES.  Each Series  shall bear all
expenses  of  its  operation,   except  those  specifically   allocated  to  the
Administrator  under this Agreement or under any separate agreement between such
Series and the Administrator.  Expenses to be borne by such Series shall include
both  expenses  directly  attributable  to the  operation of that Series and the
offering of its shares, as well as the portion of any expenses of the Trust that
is properly allocable to such Series in a manner approved by the trustees of the
Trust  ("Trustees").  (The  allocation of such  expenses  among the classes of a
Series,  on  either  a  class-specific  or a pro  rata  basis,  shall be made in
accordance with the Trust's Rule 18f-3 Plan.) Subject to any separate  agreement
or arrangement between the Trust or a Series and the Administrator, the expenses
hereby allocated to each Series, and not to the Administrator,  include, but are
not limited to:

                  2.2.1 CUSTODY.  All charges of depositories,  custodians,  and
other agents for the transfer, receipt,  safekeeping, and servicing of its cash,
securities, and other property;

                  2.2.2 SHAREHOLDER  SERVICING.  All expenses of maintaining and
servicing shareholder accounts,  including but not limited to the charges of any
shareholder  servicing  agent,  dividend  disbursing agent or other agent (other
than the  Administrator  hereunder)  engaged by a Series to service  shareholder
accounts;

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                  2.2.3 SHAREHOLDER REPORTS. All expenses of preparing,  setting
in  type,  printing  and  distributing   reports  and  other  communications  to
shareholders of a Series;

                  2.2.4  PROSPECTUSES.  All  expenses of  preparing,  setting in
type,  printing  and mailing  annual or more  frequent  revisions  of a Series's
Prospectus  and  SAI  and  any  supplements  thereto  and of  supplying  them to
shareholders of the Series;

                  2.2.5  PRICING  AND  PORTFOLIO  VALUATION.   All  expenses  of
computing a Series's net asset value ("NAV") per share,  including any equipment
or services  obtained for the purpose of pricing  shares or valuing the Series's
investment portfolio;

                  2.2.6  COMMUNICATIONS.  All charges for  equipment or services
used  for  communications  between  the  Administrator  or the  Series  and  any
custodian,  shareholder servicing agent, portfolio accounting services agent, or
other agent engaged by a Series;

                  2.2.7 LEGAL AND ACCOUNTING  FEES. All charges for services and
expenses of a Series's legal counsel and independent auditors;

                  2.2.8  TRUSTEES'  FEES  AND  EXPENSES.   All  compensation  of
Trustees  other than  those  affiliated  with the  Administrator,  all  expenses
incurred in connection with such  unaffiliated  Trustees'  services as Trustees,
and all other expenses of meetings of the Trustees or committees thereof;

                  2.2.9 SHAREHOLDER MEETINGS. All expenses incidental to holding
meetings of shareholders, including the printing of notices and proxy materials,
and proxy solicitation therefor;

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                  2.2.10  FEDERAL  REGISTRATION  FEES.  All fees and expenses of
registering and maintaining the  registration of the Trust and each Series under
the 1940 Act and the  registration  of each Series's shares under the Securities
Act of 1933 (the  "1933  Act"),  including  all fees and  expenses  incurred  in
connection with the preparation,  setting in type,  printing,  and filing of any
Registration  Statement,  Prospectus and SAI under the 1933 Act or the 1940 Act,
and any amendments or supplements that may be made from time to time;

                  2.2.11  STATE  REGISTRATION  FEES.  All fees and  expenses  of
qualifying and maintaining the qualification of the Trust and each Series and of
each  Series's  shares  for sale  under  securities  laws of  various  states or
jurisdictions,  and of registration  and  qualification of each Series under all
other  laws  applicable  to a  Series  or  its  business  activities  (including
registering the Series as a  broker-dealer,  or any officer of the Series or any
person as agent or salesman of the Series in any state);

                  2.2.12  SHARE  CERTIFICATES.  All  expenses of  preparing  and
transmitting a Series's share certificates, if any;

                  2.2.13 CONFIRMATIONS. All expenses incurred in connection with
the  issue  and  transfer  of a  Series's  shares,  including  the  expenses  of
confirming all share transactions;

                  2.2.14 BONDING AND INSURANCE. All expenses of bond, liability,
and other insurance  coverage  required by law or regulation or deemed advisable
by the Trustees,  including,  without limitation, such bond, liability and other
insurance  expense  that may from time to time be  allocated  to the Series in a
manner approved by the Trustees;

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                  2.2.15  BROKERAGE  COMMISSIONS.  All brokers'  commissions and
other charges incident to the purchase,  sale or lending of a Series's portfolio
securities;

                  2.2.16  TAXES.  All taxes or  governmental  fees payable by or
with  respect  to a Series to  federal,  state or other  governmental  agencies,
domestic or foreign, including stamp or other transfer taxes;

                  2.2.17  TRADE  ASSOCIATION  FEES.  All  fees,  dues and  other
expenses  incurred  in  connection  with a  Series's  membership  in  any  trade
association or other investment organization;

                  2.2.18   NONRECURRING   AND   EXTRAORDINARY   EXPENSES.   Such
nonrecurring  and  extraordinary  expenses as may arise,  including the costs of
actions, suits, or proceedings to which the Series is a party and the expenses a
Series may incur as a result of its legal obligation to provide  indemnification
to the Trust's officers, Trustees and agents;

                  2.2.19 ORGANIZATIONAL EXPENSES. All organizational expenses of
each  Series  paid or assessed  by the  Administrator,  which such Series  shall
reimburse  to the  Administrator  at such  time or  times  and  subject  to such
condition or conditions as shall be specified in the Prospectus and SAI pursuant
to which such Series makes the initial public offering of its shares; and

                  2.2.20 INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES. Any fees and expenses for
investment advisory services that may be incurred or contracted for by a Series.

      3.    ADMINISTRATION FEE.

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            3.1 FEE.  As  compensation  for all  services  rendered,  facilities
provided and expenses paid or assumed by the Administrator to or for each Series
or its Institutional Class under this Agreement, the Institutional Class of such
Series  shall pay the  Administrator  an annual fee as set out in  Schedule B to
this Agreement.

            3.2  COMPUTATION  AND PAYMENT OF FEE. The  administration  fee shall
accrue on each calendar day, and shall be payable  monthly on the first business
day of the next  succeeding  calendar  month.  The daily fee  accruals  for each
Series  shall be  computed  by  multiplying  the  fraction of one divided by the
number of days in the calendar year by the applicable annual  administration fee
rate (as set forth in Schedule B hereto),  and  multiplying  this product by the
NAV of the  Institutional  Class of such  Series,  determined  in the manner set
forth in such Series's  then-current  Institutional Class Prospectus,  as of the
close of  business on the last  preceding  business  day on which such  Series's
Institutional Class NAV was determined.

      4.  OWNERSHIP  OF RECORDS.  All  records  required  to be  maintained  and
preserved by each Series  pursuant to the  provisions or rules or regulations of
the Securities and Exchange  Commission  ("SEC") under Section 31(a) of the 1940
Act and maintained and preserved by the  Administrator  on behalf of such Series
are the property of such Series and shall be  surrendered  by the  Administrator
promptly on request by the Series;  provided,  that the Administrator may at its
own expense make and retain copies of any such records.

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      5. REPORTS TO  ADMINISTRATOR.  Each Series shall furnish or otherwise make
available to the Administrator such copies of that Series's  Institutional Class
Prospectus,  SAI, financial  statements,  proxy statements,  reports,  and other
information  relating to its business and affairs as the  Administrator  may, at
any time or from time to time,  reasonably  require  in order to  discharge  its
obligations under this Agreement.

      6. REPORTS TO EACH SERIES. The Administrator  shall prepare and furnish to
each Series such reports,  statistical  data and other  information in such form
and at such intervals as such Series may reasonably request.

      7.  OWNERSHIP OF SOFTWARE AND RELATED  MATERIALS.  All computer  programs,
written  procedures  and similar  items  developed  or acquired  and used by the
Administrator  in performing its  obligations  under this Agreement shall be the
property of the Administrator, and no Series will acquire any ownership interest
therein or property rights with respect thereto.

      8.  CONFIDENTIALITY.  The  Administrator  agrees, on its own behalf and on
behalf of its employees,  agents and contractors,  to keep  confidential any and
all records maintained and other information obtained hereunder which relates to
any Series or to any of a Series's former, current or prospective  shareholders,
EXCEPT that the  Administrator  may deliver  records or divulge  information (a)
when requested to do so by duly constituted authorities after prior notification
to  and  approval  in  writing  by  such  Series  (which  approval  will  not be
unreasonably  withheld  and  may  not be  withheld  by  such  Series  where  the
Administrator  advises  such  Series that it may be exposed to civil or criminal

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contempt proceedings or other penalties for failure to comply with such request)
or (b) whenever requested in writing to do so by such Series.

      9. THE ADMINISTRATOR'S ACTIONS IN RELIANCE ON SERIES' INSTRUCTIONS,  LEGAL
OPINIONS, ETC.; SERIES' COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS.

            9.1 The  Administrator  may at any time  apply to an  officer of the
Trust for instructions,  and may consult with legal counsel for a Series or with
the  Administrator's  own legal  counsel,  in respect  of any matter  arising in
connection with this Agreement;  and the  Administrator  shall not be liable for
any  action  taken or  omitted to be taken in good faith in and with due care in
accordance  with such  instructions  or with the advice or opinion of such legal
counsel.   The  Administrator  shall  be  protected  in  acting  upon  any  such
instructions,  advice or opinion and upon any other paper or document  delivered
by a Series or such legal counsel which the Administrator believes to be genuine
and to have been signed by the proper person or persons,  and the  Administrator
shall not be held to have  notice of any  change of status or  authority  of any
officer or representative of the Trust,  until receipt of written notice thereof
from the Series.

            9.2  Except  as  otherwise  provided  in  this  Agreement  or in any
separate   agreement  between  the  parties  and  except  for  the  accuracy  of
information  furnished to each Series by the Administrator,  each Series assumes
full  responsibility for the preparation,  contents,  filing and distribution of
its Institutional  Class Prospectus and SAI, and full  responsibility  for other
documents or actions required for compliance with all applicable requirements of
the 1940 Act, the  Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, the 1933 Act, and any other

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applicable  laws,  rules and  regulations  of  governmental  authorities  having
jurisdiction over such Series.

      10.  SERVICES TO OTHER CLIENTS.  Nothing herein  contained shall limit the
freedom of the  Administrator or any affiliated  person of the  Administrator to
render administrative or shareholder services to other investment companies,  to
act as administrator to other persons,  firms, or corporations,  or to engage in
other business activities.

      11. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY  REGARDING THE TRUST. The Administrator  shall
look only to the assets of each Series for  performance of this Agreement by the
Trust  on  behalf  of  such  Series,  and  neither  the  Trustees  of the  Trust
("Trustees") nor any of the Trust's officers, employees or agents, whether past,
present or future shall be personally liable therefor.

      12.   INDEMNIFICATION   BY  SERIES.   Each  Series  shall   indemnify  the
Administrator and hold it harmless from and against any and all losses,  damages
and expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses, incurred by the
Administrator  that result from:  (i) any claim,  action,  suit or proceeding in
connection with the Administrator's  entry into or performance of this Agreement
with  respect  to such  Series;  or (ii) any  action  taken or  omission  to act
committed by the  Administrator in the performance of its obligations  hereunder
with  respect  to such  Series;  or (iii) any action of the  Administrator  upon
instructions  believed  in good  faith  by it to have  been  executed  by a duly
authorized  officer or  representative of the Trust with respect to such Series;
PROVIDED,  that the Administrator shall not be entitled to such  indemnification
in respect of actions or omissions constituting  negligence or misconduct on the
part of the  Administrator  or its  employees,  agents  or  contractors.  Before
confessing  any claim  against it which may be subject to  indemnification  by a

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Series  hereunder,   the   Administrator   shall  give  such  Series  reasonable
opportunity  to defend  against such claim in its own name or in the name of the
Administrator.

      13.   INDEMNIFICATION  BY  THE  ADMINISTRATOR.   The  Administrator  shall
indemnify  each Series and hold it harmless from and against any and all losses,
damages  and  expenses,  including  reasonable  attorneys'  fees  and  expenses,
incurred by such Series which result from:  (i) the  Administrator's  failure to
comply with the terms of this Agreement with respect to such Series; or (ii) the
Administrator's lack of good faith in performing its obligations  hereunder with
respect to such Series; or (iii) the Administrator's negligence or misconduct or
that of its employees, agents or contractors in connection herewith with respect
to such  Series.  A Series  shall not be  entitled  to such  indemnification  in
respect of actions or omissions  constituting  negligence  or  misconduct on the
part of that  Series or its  employees,  agents or  contractors  other  than the
Administrator   unless  such  negligence  or  misconduct   results  from  or  is
accompanied  by negligence or misconduct on the part of the  Administrator,  any
affiliated  person  of  the  Administrator,  or  any  affiliated  person  of  an
affiliated person of the  Administrator.  Before confessing any claim against it
which may be  subject  to  indemnification  hereunder,  a Series  shall give the


Administrator  reasonable  opportunity  to defend  against such claim in its own
name or in the name of the Trust on behalf of such Series.

      14.  EFFECT OF  AGREEMENT.  Nothing  herein  contained  shall be deemed to
require  the  Trust or any  Series  to take any  action  contrary  to the  Trust
Instrument or By-laws of the Trust or any applicable law, regulation or order to
which it is  subject  or by which it is bound,  or to  relieve  or  deprive  the
Trustees of their  responsibility for and control of the conduct of the business
and affairs of the Series or Trust.

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      15. TERM OF AGREEMENT.  The term of this Agreement shall begin on December
16,  2000  with  respect  to  each  Series  and,  unless  sooner  terminated  as
hereinafter  provided,  this  Agreement  shall remain in effect through June 30,
2001.  Thereafter,  this Agreement shall continue in effect with respect to each
Series from year to year,  subject to the  termination  provisions and all other
terms and conditions hereof; PROVIDED, such continuance with respect to a Series
is  approved  at least  annually  by vote or written  consent  of the  Trustees,
including a majority of the  Trustees who are not  interested  persons of either
party  hereto  ("Disinterested   Trustees");  and  PROVIDED  FURTHER,  that  the
Administrator  shall not have  notified a Series in writing at least  sixty days
prior to the first  expiration  date  hereof or at least sixty days prior to any
expiration   date  in  any  year   thereafter  that  it  does  not  desire  such
continuation.  The  Administrator  shall  furnish any Series,  promptly upon its
request,  such  information as may reasonably be necessary to evaluate the terms
of this Agreement or any extension, renewal or amendment thereof.

      16. AMENDMENT OR ASSIGNMENT OF AGREEMENT.  Any amendment to this Agreement
shall  be in  writing  signed  by the  parties  hereto;  PROVIDED,  that no such
amendment  shall be effective  unless  authorized on behalf of any Series (i) by
resolution of the Trustees,  including the vote or written consent of a majority
of the Disinterested  Trustees, or (ii) by vote of a majority of the outstanding
voting  securities of the  Institutional  Class of such Series.  This  Agreement
shall  terminate  automatically  and immediately in the event of its assignment;
provided,  that with the consent of a Series,  the Administrator may subcontract
to another  person any of its  responsibilities  with respect to such Series and
may obtain any of the  services  required of it  hereunder  from its  affiliate,
Neuberger Berman, LLC.

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      17. TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT. This Agreement may be terminated at any time
by either party hereto,  without the payment of any penalty, upon at least sixty
days' prior  written  notice to the other party;  PROVIDED,  that in the case of
termination  by any  Series,  such  action  shall  have been  authorized  (i) by
resolution  of the  Trustees,  including  the  vote or  written  consent  of the
Disinterested  Trustees, or (ii) by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting
securities of the Institutional Class of such Series.

      18. NAME OF A SERIES.  Each Series hereby agrees that if the Administrator
shall at any time for any reason  cease to serve as  administrator  to a Series,
such Series shall,  if and when requested by the  Administrator,  eliminate from
such Series's name the name "Neuberger Berman" and thereafter refrain from using
the name "Neuberger Berman" or the initials "NB" in connection with its business
or  activities,  and the  foregoing  agreement of each Series shall  survive any
termination of this Agreement and any extension or renewal thereof.

      19. INTERPRETATION AND DEFINITION OF TERMS. Any question of interpretation
of any term or provision of this Agreement  having a counterpart in or otherwise
derived  from a term or  provision  of the Act shall be resolved by reference to
such term or provision of the 1940 Act and to interpretation thereof, if any, by
the United States courts or, in the absence of any  controlling  decision of any
such court,  by rules,  regulations or orders of the SEC validly issued pursuant
to the 1940 Act. Specifically,  the terms "vote of a majority of the outstanding
voting securities,"  "interested persons," "assignment" and "affiliated person,"
as used in this  Agreement  shall have the meanings  assigned to them by Section
2(a) of the 1940 Act. In addition,  when the effect of a requirement of the 1940
Act reflected in any  provision of this  Agreement is modified,  interpreted  or

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relaxed  by a rule,  regulation  or order of the SEC,  whether  of special or of
general application, such provision shall be deemed to incorporate the effect of
such rule, regulation or order.

      20. CHOICE OF LAW. This Agreement is made and to be principally  performed
in the State of New York,  and except  insofar as the Act or other  federal laws
and  regulations  may be  controlling,  this Agreement shall be governed by, and
construed and enforced in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of New
York.

      21. CAPTIONS.  The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience
of reference only and in no way define or delineate any of the provisions hereof
or otherwise affect their construction or effect.

      22.   EXECUTION  IN   COUNTERPARTS.   This   Agreement   may  be  executed
simultaneously in counterparts,  each of which shall be deemed an original,  but
all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

            IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to
be signed by their  respective  officers  thereunto  duly  authorized  and their
respective  seals to be  hereunto  affixed,  as of the day and year first  above
written.

                                    NEUBERGER  BERMAN EQUITY FUNDS



                                    By:
                                       -----------------------------


                                    Title:
                                          --------------------------



                                    NEUBERGER BERMAN MANAGEMENT INC.



                                    By:
                                        ----------------------------


                                    Title:
                                          --------------------------

                                       18


                          NEUBERGER BERMAN EQUITY FUNDS
                               INSTITUTIONAL CLASS
                            ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT

                                   SCHEDULE A

      The  Institutional  Class of the Series of Neuberger  Berman  Equity Funds
currently subject to this Agreement is as follows:

            SERIES

            Neuberger Berman Genesis Fund


      Dated: December 16, 2000



                          NEUBERGER BERMAN EQUITY FUNDS
                               INSTITUTIONAL CLASS
                            ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT

                                   SCHEDULE B

   Compensation  pursuant to Paragraph 3 of the  Neuberger  Berman  Equity Funds
Institutional Class Administration Agreement shall be:

      (1)   For the  services  provided to the Trust or to each  Series  without
            regard to class,  0.15% per annum of the average daily net assets of
            the Institutional Class of each Series;

      (2)   For the services provided to the Institutional Class of a Series and
            its shareholders(including amounts paid to third parties), 0.34% per
            annum of the average daily net assets of the Institutional  Class of
            said Series; plus in each case

      (3)   certain  out-of-pocket  expenses for technology used for shareholder
            servicing  and  shareholder  communication,  subject  to  the  prior
            approval  of an annual  budget  by the  Trust's  Board of  Trustees,
            including  a  majority  of  those  Trustees  who are not  interested
            persons of the Trust or of Neuberger  Berman  Management  Inc.,  and
            periodic reports to the Board of Trustees on actual expenses.

DATED:  December 16, 2000