R&D Collaboration
The Office of Research and Sponsored Programs facilitates the linking of 海角社区research expertise and capabilities with private sector businesses and public entities for the development of technology and the provision of services that are consistent with university mission and goals. Research & development (R&D) collaborations and partnerships enable public organizations to improve their processes and services to the community. They similarly enable businesses to advance their technology platforms, create competitive products, and offer value-added services. Private sponsorship for research and training at 海角社区not only supports the university's community engagement objectives, it allows businesses to leverage 海角社区research expertise and capabilities to develop products and services for public good. All research collaborations and partnerships are conducted under appropriate, mutually approved agreements to protect the rights and obligations of all parties.
Private sector collaboration and partnership may arise from a number of situations including, but not limited to, the following:
- A company has a concept but the path to development is not clear or well defined and the company needs 海角社区research expertise to clarify and define the path to development.
- A company and 海角社区researchers have similar concepts and agree to the joint development of the concepts.
- 海角社区researchers and a company approach one another because of similar interests in finding solutions to specific problems.
- A company approaches 海角社区with a specific problem, seeking a solution that requires the research capabilities of the university.
- 海角社区approaches a company to develop and commercialize an IP.
- 海角社区approaches a company with an idea, a concept, or a potential solution appropriate to the solution of a problem.
Intellectual property developed in a collaborative research with a company or non-profit partner is subject to negotiation between 海角社区and the outside entity. While as a public agency, 海角社区must adhere to Florida Sunshine Laws, provides for confidentiality of information related to the "methods of manufacture or production, potential trade secrets, potentially patentable material, actual trade secrets, business transactions, or proprietary information received, generated, ascertained, or discovered during the course of research conducted within the state universities."
海角社区personnel planning research collaborations and partnerships with private-sector businesses or non-profit organizations are encouraged to contact ORSP for assistance in developing agreements to support those activities. In order for an agreement to be binding on the university, it must be signed by a duly authorized 海角社区representative.