Contracts can take variable amounts of time to complete, depending on the context. Find out some of the ways you can help to expedite the contracting process and avoid delays.
Research contracting is best served by an open and collaborative approach between researchers and our Contract Services team. Your designated Contracts Manager will act as the main point of contact for both you and the funder to help simplify the contracting process. Below are some of the ways you can also help to facilitate the contracting process.
How you can help
- Contact the Contracts Manager responsible for your academic department as soon as possible
- Consider putting in place a Confidentiality Disclosure Agreement (CDA) with your collaborator(s) before undertaking any detailed discussions on proposed projects. Your Contracts Manager can advise and provide suitable documentation
- Discuss the project details with your collaborators so that all parties are clear about their respective contributions, expectations, and activities
- Ensure your projects is fully costed and approved through Worktribe, and you have discussed the contract price with your Contracts Manager
- Set a realistic time frame for the start date and delivery of the project and manage expectations accordingly
- Make sure that you and your Contracts Manager are aware of any deadlines for the conclusion of the contract
- Provide your Contract Manager with all necessary information/contacts by completing a Worktribe contract request.
Things to avoid
- Disclosing any valuable information relating to your background intellectual property (IP), in particular, if it has been subject to any previous patents and/or license or other agreements
- Agreeing the price of your contract or sharing any details concerning the breakdown of the budget with the funder or collaborator until a UCL costing has been approved and discussed with your Contracts Manager
- Agreeing to assign or otherwise commit any arising IP from the project until you have discussed the details with your Contracts Manager
- Agreeing any restrictions on your rights to publish until you have discussed the details of the project with your Contracts Manager
- Signing any agreements on behalf of UCL as the legal party
- Providing any template agreements to your collaborator unless agreed with your Contracts Manager
- Assuming that UCL can accept the same terms for a new project that may have been agreed under a previous arrangement with the same collaborator/funder.
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