Improved University-Industry Agreements Make it Easy for Companies to Partner with Researchers

Pennsylvania State University (7/29, Pugh) – One important way in which we have improved Penn State’s interactions with industry is the use of master agreements. This contracting tool allows us to enter into multiple projects through a task order mechanism, after the terms and conditions of the overarching agreement are negotiated. This allows for quick implementation of a project without the lengthy negotiations that can bog down and kill a dynamic research collaboration. We currently have active master agreements with 40 companies, both large and small.

Another example of how we have addressed the comments and concerns from industry to develop a mutually beneficial solution is with our firm fixed price agreement (PDF). This agreement is utilized when the project is funded with pure IR&D funds, is under $100K, and when both parties agree that the scope of work and deliverables will not generate IP. This one-page contract is our way of trying to reduce the length of negotiations on IP when it will not even be an issue.