How to Work with Industry

One of the most significant ways industry can support research at UC Berkeley is by sponsoring research.

The Industry Alliances Office (IAO) assists in establishing, developing, and formalizing relationships between UC Berkeley and companies interested in sponsoring projects. Contact IAO to discuss how an agreement with a for-profit company can be developed to meet the needs of the situation. IAO officers will assist you from beginning to end.

  1. Preliminary discussions with a potential industry sponsor
  2. Proposal and terms and conditions of a contract
  3. Any special factors in your research and the company situation
  4. Proposal development
  5. Proposal review
  6. Proposal approval
  7. Proposal submission
  8. The award
  9. Signing and post-execution support
  10. Post-award processing

What is industry-sponsored research?

In industry-sponsored research engagements, a for-profit company provides funding to Berkeley for use by a researcher or research team on a particular scope of work. Before UC Berkeley can invoice for the research funds, the IAO works with you and the company to define the project and write and sign a contract outlining the terms of the relationship including rights in intellectual property, confidentiality, publication, and more. IAO also reviews corporate grants with pre-set conditions. 

If you are seeking funding from a foundation or other non-profit entity (such as a U.S. or foreign university), or a state or federal government agency, contact the Sponsored Projects Office for assistance.

If you seek research gifts, or if the company wishes only to provide gift funding, contact  University Development and Alumni Relations (UDAR) or your department development officer. 

The sponsored projects process 

Grant Life Cycle

Visit the Berkeley Grant Life Cycle website for guidance through the research proposal submission and award administration process.

Research proposals must be submitted through the Phoebe Proposal System for UC Berkeley review and authorization at least four days prior to the sponsor's deadline. Phoebe automatically routes proposals to the Industry Alliances Office for all grants or awards funded by industry.

To request a data use agreement (DUA), see IAO's Data Use Page.

To request a material transfer agreement (MTA), see IAO’s MTA Page.

Contact IAO for more information on how to submit an industry research proposal or material transfer agreement.

Compare Models of University-Industry Engagement

See a chart showing approaches for industry to fund campus research

Types of agreements managed by the Industry Alliances Office

IAO supports faculty and staff by negotiating a variety of research agreements between UC Berkeley and for-profit industry sponsors, as well as all material and data providers, whether industry or not.

Contact IAO for:

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Agricultural Marketing Board Agreements

Agricultural Marketing Boards are required to use portions of their funding to support research at the University of California. The Industry Alliances Office facilitates and signs research funding agreements from Agricultural Marketing Boards - organizations created to help provide stable markets for dairy products, fruits, vegetables and specialty crops...

Confidentiality or Nondisclosure Agreements (CDA/NDA)

Confidentiality or Nondisclosure Agreements (CDA/NDA) allow researchers to exchange confidential or proprietary information prior to establishing a research collaboration or project. CDAs and NDAs are contracts that limit the use and disclosure of confidential information. At times, a UC Berkeley researcher and a company may want to share or receive information that they consider confidential. These disclosures can occur in the course of discussing potential research collaborations. ...

Data Use and Data Access Agreements (DUA and DAA)

Research Data Use Agreements (DUAs) are contracts that govern the transfer of data between two organizations. Similar to a Data Use Agreement, a Data Access Agreement (DAA) is an agreement used to gain access to another party's secure data site to use the data there; no data transfer takes place.

The Industry Alliances Office is designated to review, negotiate, and sign agreements on behalf of UC Berkeley for receiving research data from an outside organization.

The Office of Technology Licensing is designated to review, negotiate, and sign...

Industry Affiliate Program Agreements

An IAP is a University research program – organized, hosted, and directed by Berkeley faculty and/or staff – focused on a specific area of research of common interest with private industry, and funded by industry membership fees. Participating companies sign an IAP membership agreement. Learn more

Industry Sponsored Institute Agreements

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 is 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. Learn more about ...

Industry Sponsored Research Agreements

Sponsored Research Agreements (SRAs) are used when an outside entity funds research at UC Berkeley. IAO handles SRAs funded by for-profit companies. Sponsored research agreements (SRAs) are used when a company is going to fund a research project at a lab at the University. The SRA spells out various items such as the scope of work of the project, the budget and various legal terms and conditions. For more information on sponsored research agreements please visit Industry Sponsored Research. All SRA budgets include UC Berkeley’s federally-negotiated indirect cost rate as part of the budget.

Sample Sponsored Research Agreement (PDF file)
Subaward Request
Proposal Checklist for Principal Investigators

Innovation Services Agreements

UC Berkeley's Office of Intellectual Property and Industry Research Alliances (IPIRA) offers a variety of Innovation Services to design, negotiate, and execute contractual agreements between the university and third parties that leverage or support Berkeley's dynamic innovation and entrepreneurship (I&E) ecosystem. These Innovation Services include:

Program Design Policy Vetting and Diligence Drafting and Executing Agreements

Learn...

International Contracts and Grants with Industry

The UC Berkeley Industry Alliances Office negotiates research contracts and grants with international companies. Learn more about international research and institutional collaboration contracts.

Material Transfer Agreements (MTA)

Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs) are contracts that govern that govern the transfer of tangible research materials between two organizations.

The Industry Alliances Office is designated to review, negotiate, and sign agreements on behalf of UC Berkeley for receiving research materials from an outside organization.

The Office of Technology Licensing is designated to review, negotiate, and sign agreements on behalf of UC Berkeley for sending research materials to an outside organization.

Learn more about setting up an agreement for...

SBIR and STTR Subcontract Agreements

The Industry Alliances Office negotiates, reviews, and signs proposals for UC Berkeley to participate as a subcontractor on a company's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) or Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grant. Learn how to collaborate on an SBIR or STTR grant

Venture Capital Sponsored Research Agreements

Venture capital firms can fund research at UC Berkeley that may lead to intellectual property (IP), which a VC-designated startup company (a NewCo) can license. There are several approaches for structuring this kind of collaboration. Learn more.

Indirect Costs

Learn about facilities and administrative costs for industry-sponsored projects and research

Find Research Funding

Locate announcements of opportunities for a variety of needs, subjects, and applicant types

Corporate Research Awards

Review the requirements for UC to accept research grant support from companies.

Confidential Disclosure Agreement

Request review and execution of a CDA, or non-disclosure agreement (NDA).

Submit a Funding Proposal

Submit industry-sponsored research proposals through Phoebe for review by IAO

Visiting Industrial Fellows

Learn how to establish official campus status for individuals employed by for-profit companies.

SBIR/STTR Grants

Get guidance on participating as a small business' subcontractor on an SBIR or STTR project.

Berkeley Corporate Engagement Network

Join a community of UC Berkeley professionals who engage with industry partners.

IPIRA Concierge

For more information, contact us

Decision Support Tool for Contracts

Determine the office authorized to develop and execute your agreement.

FAQs

Why does IAO have to review my proposal before it is submitted to a for-profit company for funding?

Faculty and other academic employees who receive any part of their salary through the university, or whose activities use any university resources or facilities, must submit proposals for extramural funding through one of the following offices. The office used depends on the source of funding.
  • Industry Alliance Office. This office reviews and approves proposals to for-profit and industrial sponsors, and to small businesses for SBIR/STTR grants, prior to submission.
  • Sponsored Projects Office. This office reviews and approves proposals to government agencies (local, state, federal), non-profit sponsors, and federal flow-through agreements with industry prior to submission.

Anytime a sponsor requests a scope of work and budget as part of a potential funding opportunity, principal investigators (PIs) should contact IAO or SPO as soon as possible. Submitting proposals related to research, instruction, and/or public service from UC Berkeley without the oversight and approval of one of the above offices violates university policy. Therefore, this information should not be provided to the sponsor, even informally, without prior review by IAO or SPO.

Also see: