Forms and Agreements
- Nondisclosure Agreement (NDA): A legal contract between at least two parties that outlines confidential material, knowledge, or information that the parties wish to share with one another for certain purposes, but wish to restrict access to by third parties.
- Material Transfer Agreement (MTA): A legal contract that governs the transfer of tangible research materials between two organizations, when the recipient intends to use it for his/her own research purposes. The MTA defines the rights of the provider and the recipient with respect to the materials and any derivatives. Biological materials, such as reagents, cell lines, plasmids, and vectors, are the most frequently transferred materials, but MTAs may also be used for other types of materials, such as chemical compounds and software. See the Material Transfer Agreements page for more information and send all MTAs to otc@utdallas.edu.
- Sponsored Research Agreement (SRA): A legal contract between UT Dallas and an external sponsor for the purpose of funding and conducting research at UT Dallas. See UT Dallas’ Office of Sponsored Research page for more information, forms, and procedures.
- Collaboration Agreement: A legal contract entered into by two or more researchers engaged in a research project to specify the nature of their working relationship. It specifies the intent of the parties to share data, research materials and facilities, and to publish research findings. Money typically is not exchanged under a collaboration agreement.
- License Agreement: A legal agreement whereby an owner of a technological intellectual property allows another party to use, modify, and/or resell said property in exchange for compensation (consideration). See more on License Agreements.
For assistance with legal agreements or documents pertaining to intellectual property, please contact your OTC representative. Not sure who to contact? Just send us an email at otc@utdallas.edu.
Policies
- Board of Regents’ Rules and Regulations
- UT System Rule 90101: Intellectual Property
- Intellectual Property Policy (UTDPP1002)
- University Policy on Faculty Conduct (UTDPP1049)
- Research Conflict of Interest (UTDPP1029)
Resources
UT Dallas faculty and students have access to a wide range of startup resources for commercializing select university-derived innovations through the formation of new companies, as appropriate.
For an introduction to the basics of launching a new venture at UT Dallas and a further description of resources available to faculty, students, and others, please view the following video, from Summer 2020.
Resources at UTD
- Startup accelerator programs – the CometX and GalXc accelerators provide 8-10 week training and mentorship programs on the essentials of startup formation and funding.
- Product development and makerspace – the UTDesign senior capstone program and UT Dallas makerspace are excellent options for affordable design and prototyping of minimally viable products
- Co-working and events space – the Blackstone LaunchPad at UT Dallas is a 5,000 sq. ft. shared work and meeting space located near the center of campus
- Dedicated office and lab space at the Venture Development Center
- Startup mentorship and funding – UT Dallas offers ever-growing options for experienced mentorship and venture funding for startups
- UT Dallas is a member of the Venture Mentoring Service North Texas (VMS NTX) powered by University of Texas System Office of Innovation and Strategic Investment.
- OTC maintains contacts at venture-capital firms, law firms, and other service providers for startups. Please contact a member of OTC to discuss your startup plans and how we can help.