Research Contracts & Agreements

One way of accessing external expertise, financing and resources is to collaborate with companies or other external partners. With such collaborations, funders and collaborators usually require a contract for a research project, which defines respective rights, obligations, timelines and budget.

Support & guidelines Contact your department
Photo: GettyImages.
Research contracts and agreements Photo: GettyImages.

The contract process in 4 steps:

STEP 1. Getting started / Preparation
Research contract step 1 Photo: GettyImages

STEP 1. Getting started / Preparation

• Identify a collaborative partner / funding body

• Assess opportunities and risks

• Understand what type of agreement is important in your case

STEP 2. Content - what should be included?
Research contract step 2 Photo: GettyImages

STEP 2. Content - what should be included?

• Identify all financial and regulatory issues to make the review process efficient

• Then the Legal unit can review your research agreement draft

STEP 3. Make an agreement
Research contract step 3 Photo: GettyImages

STEP 3. Make an agreement

• Get an agreement template recommended at KI

• Draft, negotiate and finalise an agreement

• The agreement's final version should be reviewed by the Legal unit

STEP 4. Signature- who should sign the agreement?
Research contract step 4 Photo: GettyImages

STEP 4. Signature- who should sign the agreement?

• The agreement requires signatures from all parties & other stakeholders

• The research project can start only when the agreement is signed

Additional resources

Film: Research contract process in 4 steps