RCSI encourages its researchers to collaborate with industry to provide a commercial context to their research and to facilitate its commercialisation for socio economic benefit in Ireland. Ownership of intellectual property associated with collaborative research programmes with industry is managed in accordance with the National IP Protocol.
Research collaborations with industry should meet the conditions of “effective collaboration” as set out in the EU Commission’s Framework on State Aid in Research & Development & Innovation 2014/163. “Effective Collaboration” is defined as Collaboration between at least two independent parties to exchange knowledge or technology, or to achieve a common objective based on the division of labour where the parties jointly define the scope of the collaborative project, contribute to its implementation and share its risks, as well as its results. One or several parties may bear the full costs of the project and thus relieve other parties of its financial risks.
There are essentially two forms of collaborative research with Industry:
Wholly Industry Funded Collaborative Research: This is where the industry party has a specific need and where it meets the full economic cost of carrying out the programme of work. In accordance with the National IP Protocol, when the full economic cost of research by RCSI is wholly funded by industry, the industry party shall be entitled to either:
- a non-exclusive royalty free (NERF) licence;
- an exclusive licence;
- or an assignment
of any IP arising from the research programme
Part Industry Funded Collaborative Research: This is where an industry party partially funds and works with RCSI on a programme of mutual interest. There may be an element of State research funding meeting part of the cost of the programme of research. Industry parties who contribute to the cost of a research programme that is partially funded by the State shall be entitled to benefit from the IP arising in that programme by way of a licence. Such licences shall be granted on fair and reasonable commercial terms (subject to compliance with EU State Aid obligations) which provide opportunities for economic and societal benefits for Ireland.
RCSI should retain the right to use Foreground IP arising from Wholly Industry Funded Collaborative Research projects and Part-Industry Funded Collaborative Research projects for internal teaching and research purposes.
Research collaborations with industry should be governed by an appropriate Collaborative Research Agreement.
To learn about the Industry engagement support available to RCSI researchers, please contact Seamus Browne or Dawn McGlade.