What is Academic Consulting?

• “Academic Consulting” is a unique system at Tohoku University which was set up in 2005 with the aim of fulfilling the University's social responsibility to return to society the results of research that are difficult to deal with through collaboration or sponsorship in industry-university cooperation.
• Usually giving technical advice or supervision can be done in a short period of time; however, we won`t limit time frame of our consulation. A teaching staff from both humanities course and the science course can be provided for academic consultation.
• Previously, teaching staffs were used to sign contracts as individuals with companies. However, in the current academic consulting, companies and the University sign the contracts, and a teaching staff performs consultations as their regular duty.
• A academic consulting fee is given to the teaching staff for his/her research funding but not for personal use. The consultation fee is determined by an agreement between the company and the teaching staff. The minimum is 10,000 yen per hour with no rate cap.

Teaching Staff and Examination of Research Content

When a teaching staff is determined

Please consult the teaching staff directly about the content of consultation, the period, fees, schedule, and so forth. Each faculty has a window for acceptance procedures (Research Cooperation Section, General Affairs Section, etc.) that allows for a smooth flow in the application.

When the content of consultation is determined but there is no information on a teaching staff

Please send an email to the Office of Cooperative Research and Development. One of our coordinators will be able to provide assistance. Please send us the content of consultation by e-mail or letter. Our international coordinator will support you to the best of our ability.

When both parties are close to reaching an agreement on the content of the consultation, period, fees, and so forth, the next step is to apply.

International Cooperation Division

How to Apply for Academic Consulting

The required documents are the “Academic Consulting Application” and the “Academic Consulting Agreement.” Please submit at the acceptance window of the relevant faculty.

• Application Form
• Agreement Form

Examination and Decision of Acceptance

The acceptance window will confirm and check the documents you have submitted. When both parties could agree and accept upon the content of them, then they woould accept your request.

However, when there are significant differences on how to handle intellectual property rights from the University sample, the Office of Cooperative Research and Development will review them. In some cases, the company and the International Cooperation Division may have to meet for beneficial talks. After negotiations, if they reached an agreement, the acceptance window will start the preparation procedure for determining acceptance.

Conclusion of Agreement and the Contract Term

When the acceptance is determined on a faculty level, the faculty performs administrative procedures. A single agreement can cover consultation over a period of years. Completing the agreement within a single fiscal year is not necessary. Consultation starts on the date the agreement is concluded.

Payment of Consultation Fee

Please pay the consultation fee to a designated bank when the payment slip arrives.

Handling the Invention

Depending on actual condition of creating inventions, about how to handle the invention which was created during the course of the academic consultation shall be separately discussed by both parties.