Contract and Agreement Templates

Syracuse University has a long history of working collaboratively with industry partners and other non-federal entities toward conducting mutually beneficial research and achieving educational goals. When receiving funds from industry or other non-federal partners, utilizing the agreement formats described below provide an excellent starting point, as they are specifically geared toward acknowledging our sponsors’ interests, while also preserving Syracuse University’s rights in publication, intellectual property, and academic freedom.

Syracuse University uses a variety of standard agreement and contract templates, which aid in fostering greater agreement negotiation efficiency and consistency. For a listing of contract types and the institutional official/office authorized to sign contracts or agreements, see Contracts with External Parties.

Please note: OSP negotiates, authorizes and administers all contracts and agreements related to sponsored project activities on behalf of Syracuse University. The most frequently used standard agreement types are described below. If you have any questions about which agreement to consider for a desired collaboration or require specialized language, contact OSP for assistance.

Confidential Disclosure Agreement (CDA)

  • Use this CDA when a sponsor, or both Syracuse University and a sponsor, mutually wish to disclose confidential information. The CDA provides the parameters for how confidential information must be handled.
  • If a sponsor has its own CDA or Nondisclosure Agreement (NDA) template, contact OSP to review the document. Do not sign the agreement and do not exchange confidential information before a CDA or NDA is fully-executed by both parties.
  • The OSP Director can sign a CDA or NDA for SU. However, any individual who is responsible for disclosing or receiving confidential information must act in accordance with the terms of the CDA/NDA(s).
  • Syracuse University Confidential and Sponsor Confidential Information located at Syracuse University should be marked in writing as such and handled in accordance with the terms of each CDA or NDA.

Corporate Sponsored Research Agreement

  • Use the sponsored research agreement for projects in which new intellectual property may result from the research activity.
  • Use of this agreement provides the opportunity for a company that wishes to license an invention or technology at the conclusion of the project, to work with Syracuse University’s Office of Technology Transfer to negotiate reasonable licensing terms.
  • Use this agreement whenever possible, as it is designed for ease of review and has the requisite terms and conditions specific to institutions of higher education. Faculty and program directors should not negotiate any of these terms or make any commitments on behalf of Syracuse University. OSP will conduct the agreement negotiations, with the active engagement of the faculty or staff project directors.
  • Please note: You will need to attach a scope of work (Exhibit A) and budget (Exhibit B). For additional information, guidance or support contact OSP for assistance.

Corporate Sponsored Research Agreement—IP Lite Version

  • Use this “IP Lite” version of the Corporate Sponsored Agreement terms when the research work is not likely to generate new IP.
  • This version intentionally has abbreviated IP terms to promote efficiency in the Agreement negotiations and still provides the ability to work with Syracuse University’s Office of Technology Transfer to negotiate reasonable licensing terms, should any IP be developed during the course of the project.
  • Please note: You will need to attach a scope of work (Exhibit A) and budget (Exhibit B). For additional information, guidance or support contact OSP for assistance.

Testing Agreement

  • Use this for testing projects where no (or minimal) analytical or interpretation of results by Syracuse University faculty or staff will be provided.
  • Use this when the sponsor desires ownership of the test results.
  • Use this if there is NO chance that new discoveries or inventions will be made under the project by Syracuse University.
  • Please note: You will need to attach a scope of work (Appendix A). For additional information, guidance or support contact OSP for assistance.

Services Agreement

  • Use this for service projects where the primary purpose of the agreement does not entail performing research activities (e.g., community service projects, etc.)
  • Use this when a simplified “short-form” version of the intellectual property language is desired. This template promotes quick and efficient negotiations.
  • Please note: You will need to attach a scope of work (Appendix A). For additional information, guidance or support contact OSP for assistance.