Sponsored Research
To implement Sponsored Research smoothly, it is necessary that both the company and the University recognize that they are each subject to a spirit of mutual respect and equality. In line with this spirit, Tohoku University proactively promotes Sponsored Research by companies, as an important aspect of cooperative research and development between industry and the University.
- Research which are sponsored by companies will be performed by the University’s teaching staff at university facilities.
- Companies that sponsor research bear the direct and indirect expenses are needed to implement research (cooperative R&D expenses).
- Companies that sponsor research take top priority when using the intellectual property created from the Sponsored Research.
Consider Researchers at Tohoku University and Research Themes for Sponsored Research
If you have already determined researchers at Tohoku University for Sponsored research, please contact the researcher and discuss the theme, research funds, period, and any project details.
If you do not know the researcher's contact information, feel free to contact us with your details by e-mail.
International Cooperation Division
If you seek Tohoku University researchers for improving your research project, the University may have ideal researchers that it would be able to introduce. Please send us an outline of your project by e-mail or letter. Our international coordinator will support you to the best of our ability.
International Cooperation Division
Applications
The necessary documents are the “Sponsored Research Application” and the “Sponsored Research Agreement (sample).” Please prepare those documents and submit at the acceptance window of the relevant faculty.
The acceptance window will check the documents thoroughly. Then, when both parties could agree and accept upon the contenc of them, they would accept the Sponsored Research.
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 discussions. After negotiations, if they reached an agreement, the acceptance window will start the preparation procedure to officially accept the Sponsored Research.
Conclusion of Agreement and Commencement of Research
When the acceptance is determined on a faculty level, the faculty concludes a Sponsored Research Agreement between the company and the University. A single agreement can cover research over a period of years. Completing an agreement within a single fiscal year is not necessary.
Research starts on the date the agreement is concluded.
Payment of Research Funds for Joint Research
All research fees are paid by the sponsored research company to a designated bank when the payment slip arrives from Tohoku University. The research fees include direct expenses for implementing research and indirect expenses equivalent to 30% of the direct expenses.
Handling of Research Results (Intellectual Property Rights)
Inventions created from Sponsored Research basically belong to Tohoku University. Depending on the research situation, the University can correspond flexibly with this matter through a joint patent application, transfer of patent rights, exclusive licensing, and so forth.