Sponsored Research Agreement (ver. 11/07/05)
THIS SPONSORED RESEARCH AGREEMENT is made and effective as of the date of last signing (herein the "Effective Date") by and between ?? (herein "Sponsor)" having its principal place of business at ?? and Michigan State University, (herein "University"), a non-profit educational institution of the State of Michigan having an office at East Lansing, MI 48824.
WHEREAS, the research program contemplated by this Agreement is of mutual interest and benefit to University and Sponsor, and will further the instructional and research objectives of University in a manner consistent with its status as a nonprofit, tax-exempt, educational institution;
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. STATEMENT OF WORK. University shall commence performance of the research program as set forth in Exhibit A (herein the "Project"), promptly after the Effective Date, and shall use reasonable efforts to perform the Project during the Contract Period substantially in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement. As used herein, "Contract Period" means the period beginning on ?? and ending on ??. Sponsor and University may at any time amend the Project by mutual written agreement.
2. PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR. The Project will be supervised by ?? as Principal Investigator. If, for any reason, that person is unable or unwilling to continue to serve as Principal Investigator, Sponsor and University shall attempt to find a successor acceptable to both parties. If such a successor is not available, this Agreement shall be terminated as provided in Article 10.
3. REPORTS AND CONFERENCES
A. From time to time during the term of this Agreement, as agreed upon between the Principal Investigator and Sponsor, University will provide Sponsor with written summaries of research progress. A final report will be provided within sixty (60) days following conclusion of the Contract Period or early termination of this Agreement.
B. During the term of this Agreement representatives of University will meet with representatives of Sponsor at times and places mutually agreed upon to discuss the progress and results, as well as ongoing plans, or changes therein, of the Project.
4. COSTS, BILLINGS AND OTHER SUPPORT
A. Subject to Article 1, total costs to Sponsor hereunder shall not exceed the sum of ?? Dollars ($??.00). Payment shall be made to University by Sponsor quarterly at the beginning of each quarter. Any funds in excess of expenses will be returned to the Sponsor after the expiration of the Contract Period.
B. The money paid by Sponsor to University shall be expended for the Project in a manner to be determined by University for salaries, wages, travel, equipment, supplies, overhead, etc., as may be reasonably necessary to carry out the Project. University can provide Sponsor an accounting of funds spent during or at the conclusion of the Project if such an accounting is requested in writing within fifteen (15) days after the signing of this Agreement by both parties.
C. Sponsor shall loan/donate the following equipment to University under the following conditions: ??
D. University shall retain title to any equipment and supplies purchased with funds provided by Sponsor under this Agreement.
E. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in the event of early termination of this Agreement by Sponsor pursuant to Article 10 hereof, Sponsor shall pay all costs accrued by University as of the date of termination, including non-cancelable obligations, which shall include all non-cancelable contracts and fellowships or postdoctoral associate appointments called for in Appendix A, incurred prior to the effective date of termination. After termination, any obligation of Sponsor for fellowships or postdoctoral associates shall end no later than the end of University's academic year following termination.
5. PUBLICITY.
A. Sponsor will not use the name of University or any member of University's project staff or other University employee in any publicity, advertising or news release without the prior written approval of an authorized representative of University. University will not use the name of Sponsor or any employee of Sponsor in any publicity without the prior written approval of an authorized representative of Sponsor. However, this provision will not apply when either party wishes to give credit to the other party when presenting a paper at a conference or seminar for non-commercial purposes, unless the party receiving credit requests otherwise in writing.
B. Notwithstanding the preceding paragraph, University is permitted to publish the name of Sponsor, the title of the Project, the name of the Principal Investigator, the Contract Period, and the amount of funding of the Project.
6. PUBLICATIONS. Sponsor recognizes that under University policy the methods and results of the Project must be publishable and agrees that project personnel shall be permitted to present such methods and results at symposia and professional meetings and to publish such methods and results in journals, theses, dissertations, and other media. It is agreed that a manuscript of any proposed publication or presentation shall be furnished to the Sponsor at least sixty (60) days in advance of (a) the planned submission of said manuscript to a publisher or other third party or (b) the planned public presentation. Sponsor shall have thirty (30) days after receipt of said manuscript to object to such proposed publication or presentation, either because the manuscript contains Confidential Information belonging to the Sponsor or because the manuscript contains patentable subject matter that requires protection. The author of the manuscript shall delete Sponsor's Confidential Information from the manuscript prior to submitting it for publication or using it for a public presentation, and shall delay any publication or presentation for a maximum of thirty (30) days from the date of receipt of such objection in order for a patent application to be filed on University's behalf in accordance with Article 8 below.
7. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
A. As used herein, "Confidential Information" shall mean information, know-how, samples, drawings or data, technical or non-technical, relating to the Project, that originates with either party and is disclosed or provided to the other. The information, know-how, samples, drawings or data, technical or non-technical, provided by a party to the other party shall be deemed confidential if it is marked confidential or stated in writing to be confidential. If a party orally discloses Confidential Information to the other party, informing the recipient of its confidential nature at the time of the oral disclosure, the disclosing party shall reduce the disclosure to writing within thirty (30) days and mark it confidential. The recipient may use the originator's Confidential Information for purposes of this Agreement, but agrees neither to use for any other purpose nor to disclose or provide such Confidential Information to any third party for a period of three (3) years from the date of receipt of the Confidential Information or until one (1) year after the termination of this Agreement or any extension thereof, whichever is later, except as follows:
1. To the extent that such Confidential Information was known to the recipient prior to its receipt from the originator, and this is documented in written records made by recipient prior to such disclosure; or
2. To the extent that such Confidential Information is public knowledge prior to or after its disclosure, other than through acts or omissions attributable to the recipient; or
3. To the extent that such Confidential Information was lawfully disclosed or provided to the recipient by a third party who had the right to disclose it; or
4. To the extent that such Confidential Information was discovered independently by the recipient without reference to materials provided by the originator, and this is documented in written records of the recipient; or
5. To the extent that disclosure is required by law or court order;
6. To the extent that the disclosure is made under the procedures set forth in Article 6 for publication of research results.
B. Each recipient specifically agrees not to export or re-export any information, technical data, products, or samples in violation of any applicable USA laws and/or regulations.
C. Each recipient will retain control of confidential samples received hereunder and will not provide them to parties who are not bound by this Agreement.
8. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY.
A. Title to any invention conceived or first reduced to practice in the performance of the Project, herein "Invention," shall be assigned to University if all the inventors are University employees; shall be assigned jointly to University and Sponsor if the inventors include employees of both parties; and shall be assigned to Sponsor if all the inventors are employees of Sponsor.
B. University will promptly notify Sponsor of any University or joint Invention. If Sponsor requests that a patent application be filed, University shall promptly prepare, file, and prosecute such application in University's name in any countries designated by Sponsor. Sponsor shall bear all costs incurred in connection with such preparation, filing, prosecution, and maintenance of U.S. and foreign patent applications and patents. University shall be responsible for decisions regarding the scope and content of any patent applications pertaining to University Inventions, but shall promptly provide Sponsor with copies of all relevant patent documents in sufficient time for Sponsor to comment thereon, and University shall not unreasonably refuse to follow the Sponsor's suggestions. University and Sponsor shall be jointly responsible for decisions regarding the scope and content of any patent applications relating to joint Inventions.
C. If Sponsor elects not to pay for the filing, prosecution or maintenance of a patent application or patent on an University Invention or a joint Invention, Sponsor's rights with respect to such patent application or patent shall terminate immediately, and Sponsor shall have no further rights under any resulting patents except for the right to the invention for internal research purposes only.
9. GRANT OF RIGHTS
A. In consideration for research support and patent expenses received hereunder, University grants to Sponsor a right of first refusal applicable to any exclusive option or exclusive license that University elects to offer with respect to any University or joint Invention, including any patent applications and patents resulting therefrom. With respect to any such option or license offered by University, Sponsor’s right of first refusal shall expire sixty days after Sponsor receives the offered terms from University. In addition, any commercial non-exclusive option or license that University elects to offer with respect to such University Invention shall be offered to Sponsor simultaneously and under identical terms with the offer to any third party.
B. University hereby grants to Sponsor a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use for Sponsor's internal research purposes all unpublished data, know-how, materials and unpatented inventions and discoveries arising as a result of the Project.
C. Title to any copyrights or copyrightable material first produced in the performance of the Project shall remain with University. University hereby grants to the Sponsor, for Sponsor’s internal, non-commercial purposes, an irrevocable, royalty-free, non-transferable, non-exclusive right and license to use and reproduce all such copyrightable materials, including computer software and its documentation specified to be developed and delivered under the Statement of Work. University further grants to Sponsor a right of first refusal to any exclusive license (subject to government or other third party rights, if any) University elects to offer with respect to such deliverable copyrightable works. With respect to any such option or license offered by University, Sponsor’s right of first refusal shall expire sixty days after Sponsor receives the offered terms from University. For clarity, such right of first refusal shall not apply to any manuscript intended for publication in the scholarly literature. Computer software for which a patent application is filed shall be subject to paragraphs A-B above.
D. In the event that University elects to establish property rights other than patents to any tangible research property (herein "TRP"), including for example biological materials, developed during the course of the research, University and the Sponsor will determine the disposition of rights to such property by separate agreement. University will, at a minimum, reserve the right to use and distribute TRP for non-commercial research purposes.
E This Agreement shall not be construed to grant Sponsor any license or other rights except as contained herein.
10. TERM AND TERMINATION.
A. This Agreement shall become effective on the Effective Date and shall continue in effect for the full duration of the Contract Period unless sooner terminated in accordance with the provisions of this Article 10 or extended by written agreement of the parties.
B. Either party may terminate this Agreement upon ninety (90) days prior written notice to the other.
C. Upon the giving or receiving of a notice of termination, both parties will make all reasonable efforts to end expenditures under this Agreement during the notice period. Upon the end of the notice period University, upon billing, will be reimbursed by the Sponsor in accordance with Article 4. Any funding provided by the Sponsor in excess of University's expenditures and non-cancelable commitments shall be returned to the Sponsor.
D. Termination of this Agreement by either party for any reason shall not affect the rights and obligations of the parties accrued prior to the effective date of termination, specifically including their rights and obligations under Articles 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 11.
11. INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR. In the performance of all services hereunder University shall be deemed to be and shall be an independent contractor and, as such, University shall not be entitled to any benefits applicable to employees of Sponsor. Neither party is authorized or empowered to act as agent for the other for any purpose and shall not on behalf of the other enter into any contract, warranty, or representation as to any matter. Neither shall be bound by the acts or conduct of the other.
12. INSURANCE. University warrants and represents that University has adequate liability insurance, such protection being applicable to officers, employees, and agents while acting within the scope of their employment by University, and University has no liability insurance policy as such that can extend protection to any other person.
13. LIABILITY. Each party hereby assumes any and all risks of personal injury and property damage attributable to the negligent acts or omissions of that party and the officers, employees, and agents thereof.
14. GOVERNING LAW. The validity and interpretation of this Agreement and the legal relation of the parties to it shall be governed by the laws of the State of Michigan and the United States.
15. ASSIGNMENT. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and the successors to substantially the entire business and assets of the respective parties hereto. This Agreement shall not be assignable by either party without the prior written consent of the other party, except that this Agreement is assignable to any division of Sponsor, any majority stockholder of Sponsor, and/or any subsidiary of Sponsor in which at least fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding stock is owned by Sponsor.
16. MODIFICATIONS. Any change in the terms of this Agreement shall be valid only if it is made and approved in writing by authorized representatives of the parties.
17. NOTICES. Any notices required to be given or which shall be given under this Agreement shall be in writing delivered by first class mail (air mail if not domestic) addressed to the parties as follows:
If to Sponsor:
SPONSOR
INDIVIDUAL OR OFFICE
ADDRESS
CITY, STATE ZIP CODE
If to University:
Contract and financial matters:
Michigan State University
Office of Contract and Grant Administration
Industrial Section
301 Administration Building
East Lansing, MI 48824
Technical matters:
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
TITLE
DEPARTMENT or COLLEGE
BUILDING ADDRESS
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824
In the event notices, statements, and payments required under this Agreement are sent by certified or registered mail by one party to the other party at its above address, they shall be deemed to have been given or made as of the date so mailed, otherwise as of the date received.
18. ANIMAL AND HUMAN STUDIES. Any use of human subjects or live, vertebrate animals in the performance of research hereunder shall comply with all applicable laws and government regulations.
19. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. Unless otherwise specified, this Agreement embodies the entire understanding between University and the Sponsor for the Project, and any prior or contemporaneous representations, either oral or written, are hereby superseded. No amendments or changes to this Agreement, including without limitation, changes in the statement of work, total cost, and period of performance, shall be effective unless made in writing and signed by authorized representatives of the parties.
By signature below of duplicate originals, Sponsor and University hereby agree to this Sponsored Research Agreement as of the Effective Date.
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