Sponsor KU research
KU faculty have the expertise and resources to work with industry partners to assist in providing solutions for technical challenges.
Industry-sponsored research projects involve students in the development of new technology, which — in addition to solving your problems — provides a pipeline of highly skilled talent to support future needs. On an annual basis, KU partners with more than 70 different industry partners that range from small startups to Fortune 500 companies. It is important to KU to develop a productive relationship with our industry partners to ensure we meet your needs and interests while also advancing science and technology and developing student expertise.
KU has developed business-oriented research agreement templates that are available for use and that may assist in accelerating the contracting process. In addition, KU has developed flexible IP options that are geared to support your needs.
General steps in the process
- Experts at KU is a great starting point to find the expertise you are seeking.
- Establish an initial dialogue with the faculty member to ensure fit with your needs.
- Confidentiality is important to you and KU. We encourage execution of a confidential disclosure agreement (CDA/NDA) for your protection and ours.
- KU can start these discussions with your document, or we can leverage one of the university’s standard agreement templates.
- In-depth discussions with the faculty member to facilitate development of a statement of work that describes the problem statement, tasks, deliverables, timetable and budget requirements.
- Visiting faculty member’s laboratories is often a way to accelerate this process and learn more about capabilities and opportunities.
- KU strives to be business-friendly and flexible during contract negotiations. We have a number of contracting agreements prepared that can serve as a starting point for discussions.
- KU has established flexible intellectual property options to address your needs.
- KU will work with you to execute a document that is a win-win for both parties.
Accelerating solutions
KU has formed industry-driven research consortia that bring together companies with similar technical challenges and provide an opportunity to accelerate the development of pre-competitive solutions. Examples: Center for Environmentally Beneficial Catalysis + Kansas Interdisciplinary Carbonates Consortium
Flexible IP options
KU offers a continuum of contracting mechanisms that enable industry partners to work with researchers at all stages of research and development. These options also streamline the sponsored research contracting process by providing straightforward intellectual property terms for companies engaging in collaborative research.
Flexible IP options at a glance
| Type of agreement | Option 1: Basic research/ traditional model | Option 2a: Pre-paid commercial NERF | Option 2b: Pre-paid field of use license | Options 3: Pre-paid assignment | 4 Testing & analysis services |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IP ownership | Owned by KU. | Owned by KU. | Owned by KU. | Assigned to company by KU; template of assignment included as exhibit to the research agreement. | Right, title and interest to data and test results granted to company; no other IP is contemplated (if so, would be owned by KU). |
| Upfront fees | No technology fee. | Technology fee equal to $15K or 10% of total project costs (whichever is greater). | Technology fee equal to $15K or 10% of total project costs (whichever is greater). | KUCTC will review scope of work and determine technology assignment fee prior to initiation of research. | None. |
| Patent prosecution | Controlled by KU; paid by company during option period. | Controlled by KU; paid by company on pro rata basis (based on number of nonexclusive licenses granted). | Controlled by KU; paid by company. | Controlled by KU; paid by company. | None. |
| Background IP | May be possible. | No KU BIP can be used. | No KU BIP can be used. | No KU BIP can be used. | No KU BIP can be used; work uses only standard lab testing methods. |
| License rights | Research non-exclusive, royalty-free license; not sub-licensable. | Commercial non-exclusive, royalty-free license. | Commercial exclusive field of use license. | NA | NA |
| Option rights | Option to negotiate exclusive or non-exclusive field of use license, on reasonable terms, for 6 months (option period). | Option to negotiate field of use license or exclusive license, on reasonable terms, for 6 months (option period). | Option to negotiate additional field of use licenses or exclusive rights, on reasonable terms, for 6 months (option period). | NA | NA |
| Royalties | Negotiated during option period. | Option to negotiate field of use license or exclusive license, on reasonable terms, for 6 months (option period). | 1% on net sale over $20M; no cap unless IP improves upon company's existing products or processes, in which case cap is $20M. Company will report sales and related activities to KU annually. | NA | NA |
| Sublicense rights | Negotiated during option period. | Affiliates only; negotiable if elect option. | Affiliates only; negotiable for non-affiliates with prior approval. | NA | NA |
| KU-retained rights | KU retains royalty-free research rights (teaching, education, research and patient care) and right to grant such rights to other research institutions. | KU retains royalty-free research rights (teaching, education, research and patient care) and right to grant such rights to other research institutions. | KU retains royalty-free research rights (teaching, education, research and patient care) and right to grant such rights to other research institutions. | KU retains royalty-free research rights (teaching, education, research and patient care) and right to grant such rights to other research institutions. | KU retains royalty-free research rights (teaching, education, research and patient care) and right to grant such rights to other research institutions. |
| Publication | 30-day review; additional 60-day delay for filing patent application. Shall not interfere with academic progress of graduate students. | 30-day review; additional 60-day delay for filing patent application. Shall not interfere with academic progress of graduate students. | 30-day review; additional 60-day delay for filing patent application. Shall not interfere with academic progress of graduate students. | 30-day review; additional 60-day delay for filing patent application. Shall not interfere with academic progress of graduate students. | Deliverable data is confidential to sponsor. KU can publish on testing methods, non-proprietary results and all other material. |
Ready to get started?
Connect with us to discuss opportunities to partner with KU researchers.