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:

Research contract step 1 Photo: GettyImages

STEP 1. Getting started / Preparation

• Identify a collaborative partner / funding body

• Assess opportunities and risks

• Prepare a research project plan with specified contributions from all partners

Research contract step 2 Photo: GettyImages

STEP 2. Content - what should be included?

• Get an agreement template recommended at KI - see "Support for Research Contracts" above

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

 

Research contract step 3 Photo: GettyImages

STEP 3. Make an agreement

• Draft an agreement

• The agreement can now first be reviewed by the Legal unit

• Negotiate with the external party and get legal review of new versions

Research contract step 4 Photo: GettyImages

STEP 4. Signature- who should sign the agreement?

• The final agreement requires signatures from all parties, at least Head of Dept is required to sign off for KI 

• The signed agreement should be registered at your department

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

Additional resources

Film: Research contract process in 4 steps