Create a bespoke document in minutes,聽or upload and review your own.
Get your first 2 documents free
Your data doesn't train Genie's AI
You keep IP ownership聽of your information
Research and Development Agreement
I need a research and development agreement that outlines the collaboration between two companies for a joint project, specifying the ownership and sharing of intellectual property, confidentiality obligations, and the allocation of costs and resources. The agreement should also include provisions for dispute resolution and termination conditions.
What is a Research and Development Agreement?
A Research and Development Agreement sets out how two or more parties will work together to create new products, technologies, or innovations. It's commonly used by Kiwi businesses, universities, and Crown Research Institutes when they collaborate on scientific or technical projects.
These agreements spell out crucial details like who owns any resulting intellectual property, how the costs and resources are shared, and what happens to confidential information. Under NZ law, they're especially important for accessing R&D tax incentives and protecting valuable IP rights through mechanisms like the Patents Act 2013.
When should you use a Research and Development Agreement?
Use a Research and Development Agreement when partnering with another organization to develop new technologies, products, or processes. This becomes essential before starting joint research projects, especially when working with universities, Crown Research Institutes, or commercial partners in New Zealand.
The agreement proves vital when accessing R&D tax incentives, protecting valuable intellectual property, or managing sensitive technical information. It's particularly important for projects involving substantial investment, specialized equipment sharing, or when multiple parties contribute different expertise or resources to achieve innovation goals.
What are the different types of Research and Development Agreement?
- Basic Research Agreement: Focuses on pure research collaboration, typically between academic institutions or Crown Research Institutes, with shared intellectual property rights
- Commercial Development Agreement: Used for product-focused R&D between businesses, with clear commercialization paths and revenue-sharing structures
- Multi-Party Research Agreement: Coordinates complex projects involving multiple organizations, often seen in large-scale innovation initiatives
- Contract Research Agreement: One party performs specific research tasks for another, common in pharmaceutical or technology sectors
- Joint Venture R&D Agreement: Combines research activities with a formal business partnership structure
Who should typically use a Research and Development Agreement?
- Research Institutions: Universities and Crown Research Institutes contribute scientific expertise and specialized facilities while seeking funding and commercialization opportunities
- Commercial Companies: Businesses ranging from startups to large corporations provide funding, market access, and practical applications for research outcomes
- Legal Teams: In-house counsel and external law firms draft and review agreements to protect intellectual property and ensure compliance
- R&D Managers: Oversee project implementation, resource allocation, and milestone tracking
- Government Agencies: Provide funding, set policy frameworks, and monitor compliance with R&D tax incentive requirements
How do you write a Research and Development Agreement?
- Project Scope: Define clear research objectives, timelines, and expected deliverables from each party
- Resource Details: List facilities, equipment, personnel, and funding commitments from all participants
- IP Framework: Identify existing intellectual property and agree on ownership of new discoveries
- Confidentiality Terms: Outline what information must be protected and how it will be handled
- Financial Structure: Document cost sharing, payment schedules, and potential revenue distribution
- Compliance Check: Ensure alignment with NZ R&D tax incentive requirements and relevant industry regulations
What should be included in a Research and Development Agreement?
- Party Details: Full legal names, addresses, and authorized signatories of all participating organizations
- Project Definition: Detailed scope, objectives, methodology, and expected outcomes of the R&D work
- IP Rights: Clear allocation of background and foreground intellectual property ownership and usage rights
- Confidentiality: Specific provisions for protecting sensitive information and trade secrets
- Resource Commitments: Detailed breakdown of contributions, funding arrangements, and resource allocation
- Term and Termination: Project duration, exit provisions, and post-completion obligations
- Dispute Resolution: Process for handling disagreements under NZ jurisdiction
What's the difference between a Research and Development Agreement and a Research Agreement?
A Research and Development Agreement differs significantly from a Research Agreement in several key aspects, though they're often confused. The main distinction lies in their scope and purpose.
- Development Focus: R&D Agreements specifically include product or technology development goals, while Research Agreements typically focus only on pure research activities
- Commercial Elements: R&D Agreements contain detailed commercialization provisions and market-ready outcomes, whereas Research Agreements often stay in the theoretical realm
- Resource Allocation: R&D Agreements include specific provisions for equipment, facilities, and technical expertise sharing; Research Agreements usually focus on data collection and analysis
- IP Rights Structure: R&D Agreements have more complex IP provisions covering both research findings and developed products, while Research Agreements typically address only research outputs
Download our whitepaper on the future of AI in Legal
骋别苍颈别鈥檚 Security Promise
Genie is the safest place to draft. Here鈥檚 how we prioritise your privacy and security.
Your documents are private:
We do not train on your data; 骋别苍颈别鈥檚 AI improves independently
All data stored on Genie is private to your organisation
Your documents are protected:
Your documents are protected by ultra-secure 256-bit encryption
Our bank-grade security infrastructure undergoes regular external audits
We are ISO27001 certified, so your data is secure
Organizational security
You retain IP ownership of your documents
You have full control over your data and who gets to see it
Innovation in privacy:
Genie partnered with the Computational Privacy Department at Imperial College London
Together, we ran a 拢1 million research project on privacy and anonymity in legal contracts
Want to know more?
Visit our for more details and real-time security updates.
Read our Privacy Policy.