Companies play an integral role in supporting an array of diverse research projects at the 91探花; we are among the top schools in the U.S. for industry partnerships. Sponsored programs offer an innovative way for companies to tap 91探花research expertise and explore new solutions while tackling complex issues. 91探花Corporate Relations can help connect you to the right 91探花experts for your project.
Defining your project
The first step in creating an industry-sponsored project is to discuss the programmatic elements. A 91探花principal investigator will work directly with your company鈥檚 representative to discuss a general plan that identifies the project鈥檚 scope of work, schedule, general cost, required resources and division of work. Once it is established there is mutual interest, the 91探花PI obtains institutional approval to submit a formal proposal including a defined scope of work, detailed budget, timeline and other details. A formal proposal helps all involved feel confident that the University can enter into an agreement once your company accepts the proposal. The UW鈥檚 Office of Sponsored Programs will work with your company to negotiate a formal legal agreement that meets the intent of the activity. Agreement considerations are found on the Office of Sponsored Programs website.
What’s in a research agreement?
The Office of Sponsored Programs works with the company to create a sponsored research agreement for the project; time to complete will vary based on the complexity of the agreement. 91探花research agreements are based upon several underlying principles, including:
Reasonable efforts
Research is inherently unpredictable and outcomes cannot be guaranteed.
Intellectual property (IP)
The 91探花generally retains full ownership of inventions and discoveries (whether patentable or not) that arise from research conducted solely at the University. Sponsors are routinely granted an option to negotiate with the 91探花to obtain a license to project IP, which may include the right for the industry sponsor to obtain exclusive rights. If the industry sponsor is collaborating with the University on the project and joint inventions arise, those inventions are typically jointly owned under US patent law.
Publications
The 91探花is a public education and research institution, and we expect that research results can be published within a reasonable period of time. We can defer publication for a short period in order to protect IP and to provide time for the company to review and redact any confidential information.
Funding and pricing
The pricing of research agreements is typically based on full reimbursement of actual costs plus overhead at the UW鈥檚 current federally negotiated rate. The 91探花requires a payment schedule that ensures payments keep pace with planned project expenditures.
Warranty and liability
The 91探花does not provide any warranty related to research results or IP, and under Washington law is precluded from indemnifying anyone, including the sponsor, for any form of deliberate misconduct.