You are here:

ARCHIVE: Research contract terms and conditions

It is important to Defra to use standard terms and conditions for research contracts. The Department lets a large number of contracts every year and in order to treat all fairly and equally it is only reasonable for both Defra and its contractors to work to standard terms and conditions.

The standard research contract sets out those terms and conditions under which Defra is willing to provide R&D funding. In applying for a project you must be clear that you can accept and meet the terms and conditions. This contract does not apply to LINK programmes.

Intellectual Property

Defra aims to retain ownership of the results of its research projects, or Intellectual Property Rights. Nonetheless, but Defra will negotiate licence agreement on a case by case basis.

Decisions on ownership will be advised as part of project specifications at the time of tendering. In assigning ownership of results to contractors, contractors will be required to provide Defra (the Crown) with a royalty free licence to use for Government purposes and pay annually 10% of income earned from commercial development of the results.

Page last modified: 11 February 2011
Page published: 4 March 2005