VPRED Announces New Sponsored Research Option, Holds Training Sessions

Photo by Russell Cothren

Jim Rankin, vice provost for research and economic development

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas announced last week the expansion of its Applied Research and Innovation Agreements (ARIA) to include an option that permits the sponsor to lock in a license for any resulting intellectual property at the time the agreement is written.

Accompanying the announcement was the first in a series of training sessions to inform faculty of the new agreement structure and its use to attract industry sponsorship.

"In an effort to turn discovery into development, the U of A now offers three research agreement options that provide certainty and flexibility to industry partners through all stages of research and development," said Jim Rankin, Vice Provost for Research and Economic Development.

The new agreement removes ambiguity of who may own and manage any Intellectual Property (IP) created as a result of the project, allowing the sponsor to capture and retain exclusive right to the work without additional negotiations.  This new and simplified agreement, called IP Upfront, was developed to attract sponsors by removing a significant contract friction point.

Ten faculty participated in the hour training session to equip these investigators with the information regarding the new option, the advantages the U of A has to offer a potential sponsor, confidentiality requirements, and the process by which an agreement is prepared.  Additional information and training sessions are planned for next semester.

IP Upfront compliments two existing agreements that are also part of the ARIA umbrella.  Sponsored Research Agreements give the sponsor the option after the fact to negotiate a license for intellectual property developed through the project. Technical Assistance Agreements provide access to U of A experts and equipment to conduct testing and analysis where no new discovery is anticipated.