Types of Academic-Industry Research Agreements Explained

Choosing the right agreement structure affects IP ownership, publication rights, timeline, and how university resources can be used.

Sponsored Research Agreement (SRA)

The most common structure for funded university research. The company provides funding; the university conducts the research. IP ownership, publication rights, deliverables, and timelines are all defined in the agreement. SRAs involve more negotiation but allow the researcher to use university lab resources and involve graduate students.

Consulting Agreement

Used when engaging an individual faculty member in a personal capacity. Faster to execute and simpler to negotiate — but university lab resources and graduate student involvement are generally not permitted.

Material Transfer Agreement (MTA)

Governs the physical transfer of proprietary materials — compounds, cell lines, data sets, reagents — between organizations. Often a precursor to a broader research collaboration.

Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)

Standard at the outset of any discussion involving proprietary information. Negotiating from the university’s NDA template typically moves faster.

Option Agreement

Gives the company the right to negotiate an exclusive license on IP developed during the research, before that IP is offered to others. Useful when the research outcome is uncertain but the potential commercial value is high.