A key part of our role is to conduct risk assessments to mitigate any possible risks involved in conducting the research and in agreeing specific contractual provisions.
Risk Assessment includes
- What is the value/financial benefit?
- What is the research benefit?
- What is the likelihood that intellectual property (IP) will be generated?
- How strong is the academic desire for the project?
Type of funder
- Who is the collaborator or sponsor/funder, should we collaborate with the specific party?
- What is the nature of the relationship?
- Is there an existing relationship with collaborator or sponsor/funder, long term, current or desired?
- Is the research or the collaborator or sponsor/funder of strategic relevance for Department, School and/or University?
- Is there any risk to the University, including reputational risk?
- Is it likely to breach any University policy?
Existing research
- Are there any existing restrictions in the PI’s (or Research Group) IP portfolio?
- How does the research fit in with existing research?
- What background IP is required?
Resources and timing
- What resources are needed?
- What is the actual urgency to put this in place or to secure the funding?
- Is there scope for negotiating more favourable terms, is the correct agreement provided?