Private Research Sponsors
Many private companies are interested in finding ways to interact with University faculty researchers. In order to facilitate such arrangements, while avoiding the many pitfalls inherent in these relationships, the following guidance is offered:
- Interaction between faculty researchers and their counterparts in industry is encouraged.
- Support of specific research projects by industry is subject to the same policies and procedures as those funded by government agencies.
- Issues frequently encountered in negotiations with companies include freedom of dissemination of the results of the research, ownership of intellectual property including patents, conflicts of interest, freedom of choice in the selection of research topics and in the conduct of the research, and relevance to the educational mission of UNT.
- In fulfillment of above, UNT cannot accept research awards from industrial sponsors until a formal research proposal that includes a budget has been reviewed and approved, as applicable, by the appropriate department Chair, Dean, GCA and RCA. Compliance with applicable policies for conflict of interest, export control, protection of human subjects, animal welfare, radiation safety, etc. is required.
- Proposals for corporate support should provide for full recovery of costs including F&A costs (indirect costs) at the full federally approved research rate. Corporations are aware of F&A costs and should recognize UNT’s need to recover such costs.
- Research Commercial Agreements (RCA) has developed a model agreement for sponsored research from industry which is available upon request by emailing research contracts@unt.edu, and as applicable, may be provided to industry counterparts. Non-disclosure agreements should be signed with the potential sponsor before having substantial conversations.
- Terms and conditions of an industry sponsored research agreement (SRA) is negotiated by RCA. These agreements may involve also licensing of existing intellectual property.