Accepting Research Grants

The responsibility for accepting research grants and signing research agreements and contracts rests with the University, not the individual researcher. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research (DVCR) has a delegation of authority to sign such documents on behalf of the University.

The DVCR requires that any proposed research contracts or agreements be referred to the Research Office and reviewed by a Contracts Officer. This is to ensure that the interests of the University and the researchers are protected. The Research Office will negotiate with the funding body for amendments to the agreement if necessary. Insurance, indemnity, overheads expenses, ownership of intellectual property rights and protection of the rights of researchers to publish their results are examples of the issues that sometimes require negotiation.

Alternatively, Research Office staff can prepare a research agreement, based on the University’s standard form of contract, which can be adapted to meet the needs of the particular project.

Research Office should also be consulted about other research-related legal issues, including Intellectual Property Agreements, Material Transfer Agreements, and research student Scholarship Agreements.

Consultancy work that is undertaken through TUNRA will be reviewed by the Chief Executive Officer of TUNRA to ensure that the agreement is acceptable. The terms of the agreement or contract must include overhead charges to compensate for the use of University resources, in accordance with the University's Policy on Consultancy.