UMass engages in range of formal contractual collaborations with industry, including sponsored research agreements, technology licensing, and joint development initiatives. These engagements are structured to advance innovation, facilitate knowledge exchange, and align academic expertise with commercial objectives.
Scroll down for information on types of agreements, a faculty guide to Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDA), and key resources for faculty collaborating with industry.
There are multiple types of engagement with industry:
Gift | License | Research Services | Sponsored Research |
|---|---|---|---|
I have a research program creating new knowledge. | I have intellectual property from my research. | I have unique equipment and processes as part of my research. | I have a research program that is of strategic interest to industry. |
I would like industry to help fund my research. | I would like industry to use my intellectual property to benefit society. | I would like industry to use my capacities to help advance my academic interests. | I would like to collaborate with industry to advance my research and help bring it to market. |
A gift is an unrestricted and irrevocable cash or in-kind contribution that may be directed to a specific research area or laboratory. | A license conveys rights and responsibilities for the use of UMass/Researcher intellectual property for an agreed upon and contracted fee | For a fee, industry can contract for specific services from UMass that advance academic knowledge | An SRA establishes an agreement with industry to conduct specific research with an agreed upon statement of work and budget and establishes rights and responsibilities associated with the publication and use of results. |
Types of Agreements
Sponsored Research Agreement: Standard template IP, publication, scope of work, budget
Research Service Agreement: Testing short term, no IP involved
Master Research Agreement: Companies with multiple projects across various departments
Core Facility Agreement: Use of Equipment / facilitated by Staff
Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA/CDA): Allows for the exchange of confidential information (see more details below)
Materials Transfer Agreement (MTA): Establishes obligations for the use of material from and owned by external sources
Data Use Agreement (DUA): Establishes rights and responsibilities for the use and protection of data coming from an external source to UMass or generated and owned by UMass to be used by external parties
Lease Agreement: Leases for lab, office, and collaborative workspace
Faculty Guide to Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDA)
A Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA), also known as a Confidential Disclosure Agreement (CDA), is a legal contract that helps protect confidential information—such as unpublished research, proprietary methods, or early-stage inventions—when working with external partners. They are required before sharing sensitive information in collaborations, sponsored projects, licensing discussions, or industry partnerships to safeguard intellectual property and build trust.
An NDA serves to:
- Protect ideas—Keeps valuable information safe
- Promote open discussion—Encourages honest sharing without risk
- Build trust—Shows both sides are serious about confidentiality
- Provide legal protection—Sets rules and consequences if the agreement is broken
Find more information here: NDA Kuali Build Form
Key Resources for Faculty Collaborating with Industry:
Sponsored Research Agreement Guide
Technology Transfer Office (TTO)
HALO Science: Funding Opportunities with Industry
Watch a recording of our webinar with HALO: Industry Funding Opportunities for Research and Startups (must log in with NetID & password).
Unlocking Industry Engagement to Support Your Research & Scholarship Webinar Presentation slides & Recording of the presentation