Researchers Guide to Contract Research & Consulting

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Working with Industry

Whether seeking solutions to business problems, developing new products or major public policy advice, buyers of research expertise share some common needs. Quality and often speed are vital. Clients want to be able to draw on the world's best in any given research discipline - and rely on a relationship that is based on delivering results.

Researchers at the University of Adelaide have a strong track record in providing these services to business, government and industry across a wide range of fields including agriculture, mining, health, medicine, international relations and social innovation. In 2008, University researchers engaged in more than $25 million of applied research commissioned by external clients. All of these agreements were managed by Adelaide Research & Innovation, the commercial development company of the University of Adelaide. It is our role to assist researchers to engage in applied research, in accordance with the policies set down by the University.

The Contract Process at Adelaide

The University needs to be assured that staff members who engage in external activities under contractual arrangements are doing so with the protection of appropriate professional indemnity insurance; all direct and indirect costs to the University for the project must be included in the price charged with appropriate overheads and margins; and time and resources involved must be transparent to the University's management team. For these reasons, contract research and consultancy projects must first be approved by the relevant Head of School.

Through the provisions of commercialisation services, the team at Adelaide Research & Innovation help University of Adelaide researchers, not only to meet the University's requirements, but to identify business opportunities, connect with industry and protect their intellectual property. ARI is directly funded by the University to provide these services, which means neither you nor your Department/School are charged a fee for the services we provide. Income generated through contract research and consulting activities are fed back to the University.