In 2013, the University of California, Biomedical Research, Acceleration, Integration, and Development (UC BRAID) convened a regional network of contracting directors from the five University of California (UC) health campuses to: (i) increase collaboration, (ii) operationalize and measure common metrics as a basis for performance improvement…

Federal sponsorship of collaboration between academic institutions and industry is on the rise. Many government programs emphasize cooperation between universities and the commercial sector as a means to merge basic and applied research, promote economic development, and enhance knowledge dissemination. The intersection between academia and…

Building an attractive patent and technology portfolio for potential licensees requires involvement and diligence by the technology transfer office and the inventors. Steps outlined in this article, such as proper treatment of IP to assure rights are not lost, preventing premature disclosures, assuring proper ownership and inventorship of…

Initiating and managing international research and development are discussed, including: basic principles for participation in international development activities; AID and World Bank project cycles; AID and World Bank contracting modes and instruments; and international contract negotiations. Some reference sources are appended. (MLW)

Writing and administering proper subcontracts are essential components of effective grant and contract management. Frequently, prime grantees and contractors issue letters, simple purchase orders, or other brief documents in order to establish subcontracting relationships. The reason why these are not adequate is explained. (MLW)

Specific agreements that arise at the interface between universities and pharmaceutical companies are described including sponsored research agreements, license agreements, clinical study agreements, material transfer agreements, and patient consent forms with respect to commercialization rights. (Author/MLW)

Points to be covered in clinical trial agreements are identified including: need to specify what is being paid; the need for and purpose of confidentiality provisions; publication review provisions; patent arrangements; the need for indemnity provisions and what these provisions should provide; and informed consent requirements and termination…

A survey to determine the role, structure, and function of the research and sponsored programs office at predominantly undergraduate institutions that have a small volume of awards from external funding sources is reviewed. The methods these institutions employ to encourage research and sponsored activity are examined. (Author/MLW)

Differentiates between the legal functions that college- and university-sponsored research officers are required to perform and the quasi-legal functions in research administration. Introduces and discusses legal concepts integral to research administration, and offers practical pointers in carrying out both legal and quasi-legal functions.…

A discussion of informed consent by human subjects in experimentation presents background on the consent issue, including federal requirements; lists factors that may affect a subject's ability to understand the consent document; and offers suggestions for preparing consent forms to ensure the subject's better comprehension. (Author/MSE)

Discussion of cost sharing in the government-university relationship focuses on the controversial idea that adding a "factor" for voluntary cost sharing in the rate base for facilities and administration and rationalizing the assignment of space to functions could simplify rate negotiation, decrease record-keeping burdens, and avoid…

Proposes a plan to determine if a cyclical, systems-based analysis can replace detailed activity reporting for voluntary faculty effort in government-supported university research. This analysis could then provide the basis for adjusting entries on billed contract costs. The method would provide quantitative support for analyzing voluntary cost…