Research Agreements

Industry Engagement and Partnerships (IEP) is a division under the Office of the Deputy President (Research and Technology). The IEP team reviews, drafts, negotiates and executes agreements governing research collaborations between our researchers and external organizations.

We ensure that appropriate agreements are put in place to protect the University and our researchers.

Types of Agreements
Agreements Under IEP's Purview

  1. Generally non-legally binding agreement for parties to formalise only the intent to collaborate on research, and there are no specific project details to be agreed. 

  2. For protection of the confidentiality of information/data exchanged for pre-project discussion/evaluation.

  3. To govern collaborative research project, including terms relating to confidentiality, IP rights, publication, liabilities etc.

    Typically an RCA is required if:

    1. the project is supported by an external grant and Collaborator is identified in the grant proposal;
    2. Collaborator will provide cash funding to NUS;
    3. Collaborator is required to perform part of the work under the project; and/or
    4. Collaborator's resources (IP, confidential information or data, materials equipment, facilities etc.) are required by NUS for the project.

    If all of the above does not apply, and Collaborator's involvement in the project is minor – mainly providing consultation or advice restricted to short-term academic/scientific exchanges, and you can complete the project even if in the unlikely event that Collaborator does not participate in the project – an RCA is generally not required.

  4. To govern contracted research project i.e. fee-for-research service, in which the contracting party, typically an industry partner, is funding all costs required to conduct the project and expects to own all IP and reports arising from the research.

  5. To govern only the conduct of the clinical trial (not research study) of study drug or device on human subjects. Additional IRB and HSA approvals are usually required for the conduct of the clinical trial.

  6. To amend an existing or original research-related agreement signed by the parties.




Agreements Not Under IEP's Purview

  1. General legal advice, agreements that are non-research, academic or student-related, incoming data transfer, in-licensing of data/software/IP, provision of services (non-research), employment agreements etc.

    Contact Office of Legal Affairs (OLA) Client Portal

  2. Agreements or advice that involve the procurement for research/non-research services/goods.

    Contact Central Procurement Office (CPO) at askcpo@nus.edu.sg

  3. Agreements or advice that involve Intellectual Property (IP) matters, IP agreement, Materials Transfer, outgoing Data transfer, NUS IP licences.

    Contact NUS Enterprise - Technology Transfer and Innovation (TTI) at Contract-Admin@nus.edu.sg