C. Collaborative working
C.1 MRC-funded research often involves collaboration, which can range in scale from simple discussions through to significant long-term partnerships. In some cases collaborations can raise significant risks and challenges for research governance. Discussion and where necessary, written agreements should be used to clarify and agree key aspects, including responsibilities, common approaches or standards and procedures. Differences in practice or expectations should be identified and if necessary resolved. This is especially important where the work involves researchers from different disciplines, organisations and/or countries. Agreements must be drawn up and signed by properly authorised signatories within the research organisation and representatives of the collaborating organisation and finalised prior to the commencement of the work.
C.2 Most collaborations will usually require some of the following to be addressed during the course of the research. Formal collaboration agreements may include:
- Scope, duration and aims of the proposed project.
- Finance and in-kind resource commitments.
- Key tasks and responsibilities of the partners (including sponsorship arrangements where appropriate).
- Project management arrangements, including lines of accountability and communication.
- Training requirements and responsibilities.
- Health and safety arrangements for shared or seconded staff.
- Research governance standards and ethical and regulatory arrangements including approvals, confidentiality and use of animals.
- Publication and authorship.
- Ownership, custodianship, transfer and arrangement for the future use of research data and samples (including return or disposal).
- Arrangements for handling intellectual property (see H.4).
- Specific requirements for information governance and information security, including record keeping, data management, handling or transfer.
- Financial/resource contributions and liabilities/indemnity.
- Arrangements for reporting and handling allegations of research misconduct.
C.3 Agreements to support clinical research collaborations which involve the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, academia and NHS organisations across the UK should address issues relating to allocation of responsibilities, rights and liabilities. Examples of template agreements which may be used to support bespoke agreements include the NIHR model Industry Collaborative Research Agreement and the UKCRC Academic Sponsor/NHS trust agreement.
C.4 Agreements involving international partners, or where work will be undertaken outside the UK and where different legislative or ethical requirements apply, require particularly careful negotiation. The guidance produced by international organisations, such as the European Science Foundation and the OECD Global Science Forum, and statements developed by the research community, such as the Singapore Statement on Research Integrity identify some of the key issues to consider.
