A number of factors must be considered up front in this process, including the motivation of industry partners, services to members, potential commercial benefits, the fee structure, control of the research effort, proprietary interests, and the manner in which the results are disseminated or utilized. It is essential, therefore, that any proposed industrial affiliates or partnership program be reviewed by DRDA prior to its initiation. DRDA will coordinate the review of such agreements with the Office of the General Counsel, the CFR office, and other administrative offices, as necessary. DRDA is responsible for maintaining descriptive information and agreements regarding all University industrial affiliates programs. Subsequent research projects of a more proprietary nature on behalf of an individual member of the program should be undertaken as a separate research agreement.
Activities funded under an industrial affiliates program usually involve basic research.
Therefore, intellectual property is not expected to result and no licenses are automatically granted to members. The University generally elects to waive the recovery of indirect costs on affiliates programs on the rationale that the contribution to the affiliates program is not expected to foster direct commercial benefit to the members. Membership fees are accepted as grants and are accounted for in an expendable restricted fund. Membership fees are recorded as contributions by the Development Office. Generally, gift receipts are not issued by the University for such grants, however.