Forms & Agreements

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Confidential Disclosure Agreement

A confidential disclosure agreement should be obtained before discussing a technology with anyone outside the University, such as a company or colleague at another institution. OIC also has a form for thesis/dissertation defense situations. Companies may ask researchers to sign CDAs prior to discussing any possible research collaborations. Please do not sign a CDA, it should be reviewed by OIC and signed by the Director of OIC.

Material Transfer Agreement

A material transfer agreement is used when a researcher sends out or receives material, such as biological materials or compounds. It enables researchers to share materials while safeguarding proprietary rights to the materials. Materials can be cell lines, viruses, bacteria, monoclonal antibodies, compounds, etc.

Sponsored Research Agreement

There are a number of potential problem areas in SRAs that should be avoided because they can be roadblocks to future licensing and funding efforts including: IP ownership issues of any kind, non-exclusive royalty free licenses to corporate sponsors, granting rights to background technologies, and granting rights to future technologies. Additionally, OTD will negotiate SRAs linked to licensed technologies. Licensees often wish to sponsor additional or follow-on research projects to expedite the product development process.

A Word Or Two About Conflicts Of Interest

As UNCG and its faculty establish more partnerships and collaborations with for profit business entities and other organizations, the potential for financial conflicts of interest and conflicts of commitment that involve both the individual faculty and the university are created. Some potential conflicts are obvious, such as the case of a faculty member’s lab receiving research funding from a company in which the individual owns equity or receives significant consulting fees or gifts. Other potential conflicts are not so obvious, such as when the university is negotiating a license or sponsored research agreement with a company who has promised to provide philanthropic dollars to the university.