Tools for a successful start to research collaborations

The confidentiality agreement (also called "NDA" for non disclosure agreement in English) is a contract by which two or more partners undertake, within the framework of a project, to keep a certain amount of important and sensitive information for one or both parties strictly confidential.

The confidentiality agreement guarantees to the owner of the information that the information he is about to make available to the beneficiary will not be disclosed to third parties.

Download the model confidentiality agreement

The Material Transfer Agreement (also known as the "MTA" for material transfer agreement in English) is a contract that governs the transfer and use of research material(s) or data provided by its owner to another entity that wishes to use the material(s) or data for its own internal research purposes.

Document to come

The research collaboration contract is a contract for the purpose of carrying out a joint research programme between one or more partners with a view to generating new knowledge. In the context of a collaboration, research is conducted jointly by the partners, who allocate dedicated R&D resources.
In the context of a collaborative project, only an obligation of means is engaged, i.e. the partners must use their best endeavours and capacities to fulfil their obligation.
The co-ownership of the results obtained jointly in the framework of a collaboration must be defined between the partners as well as the use and exploitation of these results.

Download the Avignon University collaboration contract template without financial flow
Download the CIFRE collaboration model
Download the Avignon University collaboration contract template with financial flow (to come)

A consortium agreement is a cooperation agreement framing collaborative research projects, i.e. projects involving public and private partners, with no financial flow between the parties, each party being subsidised to carry out the project (e.g. an ANR). The major issue in this type of agreement is to define access to the project's own knowledge and research results. Its duration is that of the activity for which its funder has provided it.

Download the model consortium agreement (coming soon)

This scheme provides 30% of funding for eligible expenditure incurred in research or development.

Of all the activities declared by companies as of right, the Research Tax Credit applies to (source: Ministry of Research) :

• 25% to basic and applied research.
• 75% to the experimental development of new products, processes ...

Collaboration between a university research laboratory and a company's applied research or experimental development enables the company to benefit from this very attractive scheme.

In particular, it allows a contribution to be made to the costs associated with the personnel expenses of a doctoral student, an employee attached to the research, a collaboration contract with a university laboratory, or intellectual property expenses... The RTC can also be combined with other subsidy financing mechanisms.

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The laboratory notebook is a tool that ensures the traceability of research and innovation. Developed by the CURIE network and the Ministry of Research, in collaboration with INPI, it enables staff (teachers-researchers, engineers, technicians, doctoral students, post-doctoral students, trainees, etc.) to record their research activities in a conclusive manner.

The laboratory notebook is a decisive tool. It ensures the conservation and transmission of knowledge. It guarantees, on the one hand, the reproducibility of results and, on the other hand, avoids having to repeat experiments for lack of sufficient memory. By making the tests explicit, it guarantees the continuity of the work.
In the context of partnerships, the laboratory notebook makes it possible to trace the origin of inventions and thus determine the rights to these advances. It is useful for determining the first author and establishing co-inventors. It is a proof of ownership of the results.

In Europe, when several people are working on the same research subject, the patent right belongs to the first applicant, i.e. the one who has carried out the filing formalities first. In the United States, the right to a patent belongs to the first inventor, i.e. the first applicant who can prove it (date and witness).

The Maison de la Recherche is at your disposal to provide you with a laboratory notebook referenced by us.

>> Download the ANR public-public project budget template

Are you planning to join us? To facilitate your arrival in Avignon, we have published a bilingual French-English guide which will give you all the keys to prepare your stay.

It has four main themes:

• Preparing to come
  Procedures, coming with your family, learning French

• Moving to Avignon
  Residence permit, housing, energy, bank account, taxes, insurance, health...
• Staying in Avignon
  Climate, work pace, culture, tourism, sport, gastronomy...
• Finding your way
  Transport, maps of Avignon and university campuses

>> Let us guide you!