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Types of Agreements

University Agreements for Industry Engagement

Agreement NameType of Work/UseIP TermsFunding RestrictionF&A
Sponsored Project Agreement (SPA)ResearchOwnership follows inventorship; the sponsor has a time limited option to negotiate a fee-based or royalty bearing licenseNoneResearch rate for on-campus or off-campus work as appropriate
Master Research Agreement (MRA)Multiple sponsored programsStandard Terms as in SPAIntended for multiple research projects across multiple colleges and long-term relationshipsResearch rate for on-campus or off-campus work as appropriate
Testing Service Agreement or Fabrication Service Agreement
(TSA or FSA)
Use of specialized services and facilities that are driven by protocols and specifications established by external firms and contain no experimental design or intellectual capital beyond that required to create the quote, and direct and complete the work as instructed by clientNo IP anticipated on behalf of the UniversityNoneNone if TSA/FSA is signed without alteration

Negotiated TSAs and FSAs will be assessed the "Other Sponsored Activity" rate for on-campus work as appropriate
Public Service Development Work OrderSimplified contract mechanism for non-research activitiesNo IP anticipated; ownership follows inventorshipNone"Other Sponsored Activity" rate for on-campus or off-campus work as appropriate
Literature Review AgreementSimplified contract mechanism for literature review No IP anticipated; ownership follows inventorshipNone"Other Sponsored Activity" rate for on-campus or off-campus work as appropriate
Academic Course Design AgreementFor use of sponsorship of undergraduate and/or graduate academic coursework involving “real-life” problems; external sponsor proposes a problem and agrees to the terms of agreementOwnership follows inventorship; the sponsor has a time limited option to negotiate a royalty bearing license$25,000 maxDiscounted rate of 15% available when an agreement is executed without changes
Collaborative Research Agreement (CRA)Collaborative research of mutual interest and benefit to NC State and collaborator for $0. Includes confidentiality terms, transfer of materials, publication terms, etc.Ownership follows inventorship; non-inventing party receives non-commercial licenseNo funding exchangedN/A
GrantsSimplified contract mechanism for both research and non-research activities. Typically from a federal agency or a company’s foundation.Ownership follows inventorshipNoneUtilizes the appropriate Research, Instruction or other Sponsored Activity for on-campus or off-campus work
GiftsMust have no deliverables, terms, conditions or detailed financial reporting. All gifts are irrevocable. Gifts are assessed a 7% fee.N/A
Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)Sponsored scholarly activities (Research)Ownership follows inventorship; the sponsor has a time limited option to negotiate a fee-based or royalty bearing license$50,000 max
Agreement used once per sponsor
Discounted rate of 15% is available when an agreement is executed without changes