Contract development and negotiation
The Research Office facilitates the development, negotiation and execution for all research related agreements and contracts.
Research agreements and contracts legally bind the University. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research, Development and Industry) is the delegated authority to sign all research related agreements on behalf of the University.
Researchers who receive a draft research agreement, or are requested by an external funding organisation to provide a research agreement, should contact the Research Office to discuss the project and documentation.
Common forms of research contracts and agreements
- Research agreement
- Letter of agreement
- Fee for service agreement
- Consultancy agreement
- Sub-contract
- Variation
- Scholarship agreement
- Memorandum of understanding
- Confidentiality agreement / Non-disclosure agreement
- Material Transfer agreement
Agreements will be reviewed in consultation with the lead researcher and funding organisation to ensure all University and researcher rights, interests and obligations are protected.
Key considerations
- Identifying the appropriate parties, project and services
- Commencement and completion dates
- Key personnel
- Fees, milestones and due dates
- Ownership of intellectual property – background IP and project IP
- Moral rights
- Publications
- Confidential information and privacy
- Indemnities
- Termination
- Dispute Resolution
After successful contract negotiation
Following contract negotiations, the Research Office liaise directly with the funding organisation and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research, Development and Industry) to obtain a fully executed research agreement. The research project and access to funding can commence upon receipt of the executed agreement.