What is an Industry Sponsored Institute

An Industry Sponsored Institute is a research program established, organized, hosted, and directed by UC Berkeley faculty and/or staff and funded by private industry. UC Berkeley has set up many successful Industry Sponsored Institutes. 

The Office of Intellectual Property and Industry Research Alliances (IPIRA) works closely with the institute's executive directors and industry sponsors to define the opportunity, negotiate terms, and launch and administer the Institute. IPIRA is part of your team, and we are here to help you.

See guidelines for establishing an ISI.

What is an Industry Sponsored Institute

 An Industry Sponsored Institute (ISI or Institute) is established, organized, hosted, and directed by Berkeley faculty and/or staff and funded by private industry. An Institute can include the following features:

  •  created through an ISI Master Agreement between UC Berkeley and an industry sponsor with appendices which may include: master sponsored research agreement and a form of task order, intellectual property license terms, lease agreement, and other appendices as relevant
  • managed in the same manner as an organized research unit (ORU) (even if not officially designated as an ORU)
  • focused on a defined area of research
  • research projects are undertaken under the terms of a master sponsored research agreement and research task orders
  • in support of research, the ISI Master Agreement funds provide for university operational and staff support, as well as institute governance; An ISI is more than a master sponsored research agreement
  • lease of UC Berkeley space by a sponsor (negotiated by Real Estate Services and included in the ISI Master Agreement appendix). 
  • construction of a space for the institute

A successful, properly structured Industry Sponsored Institute:

  •  furthers the University’s research mission
  •  facilitates private funding of public research
  •  has institute staff, space, and functions beyond research projects
  •  educates students and provides career opportunities
  •  enhances feedback from industry to inform academic research
  •  facilitates the translation and commercialization of UC Berkeley research results

All industry-sponsored agreements (including ISI Master Agreements) are consistent with the following University principles:

  •  Commitment to Educate Students
  •  Accessibility for Research Purposes
  •  Public Benefit
  •  Informed Participation
  •  Legal Integrity and Consistency
  •  Fair Consideration for University Research Results, and
  •  Objective Decision Making.

Key Differences Between an ISI and Other Available Options 

 

Industry Sponsored Institute

Sponsored

Research

Industry Affiliate Program

(IAP)

Research Gift

Funding

Contract-based

Master Agreement

Contract-based

One-Time Agreement

Contract-based

Standard Agmt.

Gift-Based

No. of Funders

One or Multiple

One

Many

Varies

Agreements

Custom

Custom

Standardized

Custom

Benefits

Custom

Custom

Standardized

None

Fees

Custom

Custom

Standardized

Gifts (not “Fees”)

Indirect Cost (IDC) Rate 

60.5%

(or then prevailing rate)

60.5%

(or then prevailing rate)

20%

10.5%

IP Rights

Custom

Custom

Standardized

None

Administrative Lead

IPIRA’s

Industry Alliances Office 

IPIRA’s 

Industry Alliances Office

IPIRA’s

Industry Alliances Office

Campus or Department Gift Administrator

Learn about the difference between a Master Sponsored Research Agreement and an ISI.


Current Berkeley Industry Sponsored Institutes