A research contract is a legally binding agreement that sets out the rights and obligations of the parties concerned, and which forms the basis of a relationship around a particular research project, exchange of information or materials or other collaboration.
The URO Research Contracts Team provides centralised advice, management, diligence, and review of research contracts across the contracting lifecycle, and ensures strategic, legal, risk, and operational support is provided, and appropriate outcomes are achieved for the University and key stakeholders.
The Contract Team works in partnership with UniSA stakeholders as well as external partners and collaborators to draft, review, negotiate, develop, and arrange execution of research contracts for the University. There are many different types of research-related contracts, and the complexity of agreements varies with a range of standard, modified and bespoke contracts and varying requirements of the strategic, funding, collaborative or compliance landscape relating to the broader arrangement.
If you are involved in a research project in which you will receive funding from (or otherwise work with a party outside of UniSA), you will most likely need a research contract. Please note that the Research Contracts Team does not manage contracts relating to procurement, employment, or other commercial agreements (i.e. commercial agreements not relating to research/enterprise).
When a UniSA researcher requires a contract for their project, they will need to submit a request for the Contract.
Within the University we deal with various contract types and they are managed by different units across the University.
The Research Office Contracts Team provide assistance with Research-related contracts. These are defined as research contracts for activity that meets UniSA Definitions of research.
Understand the type of Contract you need for your project - the definition and when it can be used.
For quick answers to some of your research contracting questions, refer to our FAQ page.
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