Collaborative Agreement

Guidance 

This document provides guidance for New York Tech faculty, staff, and administrators on when and how to initiate a Collaborative Agreement for research and sponsored programs. Collaborative Agreements define the roles, responsibilities, and compliance obligations of New York Tech and external partners when engaging in research collaborations.

When to Use the Agreement

A Collaborative Agreement must be initiated when:

  • New York Tech and one or more external institutions or organizations will jointly perform research or project activities under a grant or sponsored program.
  • The collaboration involves a mutual exchange of research materials, data, or expertise, but does not take the form of a subcontract or subaward.
  • The collaboration is generally unfunded or involves non-financial exchanges, such as shared data, samples, or personnel effort.

Initiating a Collaborative Agreement

This process ensures that all Collaborative Agreements at New York Tech are compliant with federal regulations, sponsor requirements, and institutional policies, while protecting the interests of New York Tech and its collaborators.

Timeline: Please allow 10 business days for drafting/review. Complex negotiations or agreements involving IRB/IACUC approvals may require additional time.

  • Faculty/PI determines that an external partnership requires a Collaborative Agreement. 
  • Confirm the activity is not more appropriately covered by another agreement type (e.g., Subaward, MTA, DUA, CDA).
  • A Scope of Work (SOW) will be completed by the PI and routed to OSPAR and Legal for review.

Email grants@nyit.edu with:

  • Name project title and sponsor (if applicable).
  • Identify the Collaborating institution/organization name and contact.
  • Submit SOW.
  • Provide OSPAR with a draft agreement if one was issued by the collaborator.

  • OSPAR reviews the SOW and determines if a Collaborative Agreement is appropriate.
  • OSPAR coordinates with the Office of General Counsel to prepare or review the agreement.

  • Legal review and negotiation occur between New York Tech and the collaborator’s legal/administrative office.
  •  Key issues: scope, data ownership/confidentiality, IP rights, publication, and compliance.

  • Faculty/staff are NOT authorized to sign on behalf of New York Tech.
  • Final agreements must be signed by New York Tech’s authorized institutional officials.
  • Collaboration may begin only after full execution.

Key Contacts