Collaboration Guidelines

Our Aims for this Session

• Provide you with a model for implementing small scale project collaboration

• Provide you with good practice guidelines for large scale collaboration activities

SMEs collaborating with HEIs

Small Scale - In a Nutshell

SMEs collaborating with HEIs

Three Phases

• Preparation• Diagnosis• Solutions Development

SMEs collaborating with HEIs

Preparation

• Meeting of University Professor & Senior Management

• Objectives of project collaboratively defined• Discreet and not complex• Define the project tasks• Agree intermediate Milestones• Aim is to solve the company’s organisational

or technical problem

SMEs collaborating with HEIs

Diagnosis

• Gathering of the system/product information• Diagnosis of the system/product• Identification of critical points• Purpose of general solution

SMEs collaborating with HEIs

Solutions Development

• Development of procedures, tools, software, etc.

• Validation of the developed system• Technincal and economical impact analysis• Implementation of the optimum solution

SMEs collaborating with HEIs

SMEs collaborating with HEIs

Some Case Studies

SMEs collaborating with HEIs

• Handouts• http://oi.ulster.ac.uk/information-for-

business/support-for-business/innovation-vouchers/case-studies

• Paintball video• http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=9pudH0Ut38I&feature=player_embedded

Video case studies

• The University perspective (Waterford IT)• http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=9pudH0Ut38I&feature=player_embedded• Shasta Baby Products – Innovation Voucher• http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=Ape1boxZWAY

SMEs collaborating with HEIs

Large Scale Collaboration

SMEs collaborating with HEIs

Research clearly shows

SMEs collaborating with HEIs

• Sustainable “win-win” structures are a result of taking active steps to ensure:

• Continued production of good science and publication of results without unreasonable delay;

• Contribution to the general education and training of new graduates;

cont

• Generation of valuable forms of knowledge and intellectual property that support innovation;

• Competent use of available knowledge, including for applications that were not originally envisaged;

• Appropriate and effective steps to secure commercialisation in ways that are consistent with national, corporate and institutional priorities.

SMEs collaborating with HEIs

Achieving Positive Outcomes

• overcoming common difficulties such as diverging cultures, volatile relationships

• and the human tendency to “keep things close to the chest.”

• each partner understands and respects what is truly important to others as well as to themselves

SMEs collaborating with HEIs

keys to success

• Eliminate problems during project and IP management such as speed of negotiation, ownership of results, and exclusivity of use; and

• Provide for equitable compensation, including where appropriate for indirect costs and background knowledge, and/or with fair returns in the event of successful commercialisation based on a realistic understanding of value and costs.

SMEs collaborating with HEIs

Constructing the Collaborative Research Agreement

• In groups, outline what you think might/should be included in a collaborative research agreement.

• What will be key considerations for an SME?• What will be key considerations for a

University/PRO?

SMEs collaborating with HEIs

Research Agreement

• Definitions, identification of parties, objectives and partner selection

• Confidential information• Scope• Resources• Funding and pricing• Governance and coordination• Reporting

SMEs collaborating with HEIs

Research Agreement

• Publications and confidentiality• Access rights to background information• Ownership of foreground• Patents and other IP• Licence for use• Diligence

SMEs collaborating with HEIs

Tools and links for this Session

• Web links to be embedded

SMEs collaborating with HEIs