Research Contracts 5-8 March 2019

**THIS COURSE IS FULLY BOOKED**

Is this course right for me?

The course is for people who deal with collaborative research relationships/partnerships. So it’s likely to be of most value for those who have either just moved into the role or those who wish to develop their role in research contracts (or industry liaison role/business development/IP contracts management roles). They’ll most likely be working in higher education, public sector research organisations such as NHS Trusts R&D support/governance offices, and potentially also in Research Council funding bodies, members of the AMRC community and businesses also. 

Delegates might have experience in Knowledge Exchange (KE), but less knowledge and understanding of the general and specific issues around research contracts.

This course is also suitable for:

• The ARMA and ASTP community

• Business development professionals who wish to enhance their understanding as to how they may facilitate and enhance the role of the contracts office, research interactions and in brokering/managing strategic relationships between organisations.

• Those who have attended PraxisAuril’s Essentials of Business Development course might find this to be a valuable next step, especially if they are seeking to understand and develop a greater understanding of what is required for collaborations from a contracts perspective (a good contract works in tandem with good management of the collaboration between the parties and helps in the overall relationship for all parties to achieve impact).

Why should I attend this course?

Research contracts – “which are fit for purpose” – are essential to cover all aspects of the relationship in a collaborative project for both those collaborating and also funders (which may or may not be a party to the collaborative partnership).  Research contracts between organisations can deliver mutual benefit, enable new outcomes and create considerable benefit for society.

There is a requirement for Universities, PSREs – NHS etc., research institutes to put research agreements in place for collaborations – so to be skilled at reviewing, setting up and managing research contracts are key skills to ensure the projects are delivered, understanding how these agreements work enable such agreements to be put in place more efficiently.  Creating and managing these (sometimes complex) collaborative relationships between organisations can often prove challenging and frustrating.

What will I learn from the course?

• That the research contracts you deal with are structured and laid out in a way which is easy to read and understand and which ensures that express terms are enforceable (compliant with the fundamental requirements of contract law in England and Wales. 

• Understanding of the significance of boilerplate terms and be able to negotiate changes appropriate to individual research contracts. 

• Be able to critically assess instructions received from a researcher; prepare for a meeting with the researcher; review the proposed deal; to elucidate what further information is required from the researcher.

• Determine whether a research contract is compliant with charity law and to seek further specialist advice if required.

• Be able to review a research contract for errors and omissions with confidence.

• To interpret research contracts with greater confidence and with an awareness of the common pitfalls of interpretation of contracts.

• Interpret and amend IP clauses within contracts taking into account the impact the clause will have on future uses of the research results and pre-existing materials.

• An awareness of your own and your institution’s attitude to risk and an ability to be proactive in managing any difference between the two.  (They should be risk aware but not risk averse, and understand that risk can never be fully eliminated; only managed).

• Awareness of the model agreements available for both academia, clinical and business; and an ability to select and use a model agreement when appropriate

• Be able to review, negotiate and draft indemnities in research contracts.

• Be able to take a position in a research contract negotiation;  understand the impact of your position on others; communicate effectively with other departments; be assertive when required, to push the position as needed; gain confidence in influencing skills. 

The course also focuses on networking, providing a valuable platform to meet peers, discuss best practice, and interact with the course team and other contributors.

PLEASE NOTE: There may be a requirement for delegates to undertake some pre-course work/reading before the course begins.

View provisional programme (subject to change)

Venue

The course will be held at Burleigh Court which is located on the Loughborough University campus (West Entrance). Loughborough railway station is three miles away - taxis are available at the station or there is a regular shuttle bus every 20 minutes from the station to the venue. If you are driving, Burleigh Court is one mile from junction 23 on the M1; ample free secure on-site car parking is available. Nottingham East Midlands Airport is just eight miles away.

Accommodation

Discounted bed and breakfast accommodation is available at Burleigh Court at £92 per night, per person. Please book your accommodation direct with Burleigh Court by calling 01509 633030 and quote the PraxisAuril event reference number 320379 in order to receive the discounted rate. Discounted rates are not available when booking accommodation online.  Any bedrooms that are not booked by Tuesday 5 February 2019 will be released. Accommodation may still be available at Burleigh Court after this date but might not be at the discounted rate.

Please note that the course begins with registration, including dinner and drinks, on Tuesday 5 March 2019 from 1830-2030.