Collaboration
Collaborative centres
A major recent trend in research funding has been the increase in large-scale collaboration between universities, and between university-based researchers and industry. This has been encouraged by government through major cooperative infrastructure development programs and grants supporting university-industry collaboration.Researchers involved in major bids to develop cooperative entities need to consider the costs and benefits of the various business and governance structures that may be proposed, and of the University’s obligations. The University Act, for example, defines the University’s ability to enter into joint ventures of various kinds, the type of partnership and business arrangements it may enter into, and the kinds of arrangements that are subject to Council and Ministerial approval.
Researchers involved in major proposals (such as CRC bids, STI Grant proposals, joint centre bids) should initially discuss the University’s position in regard to governance and related business structure issues with the Melbourne Research Office. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) has a crucial role to play in this area in advising on University policy and approvals.
An Explanatory Note and Guidelines (to be read in conjunction with the Guidelines for University of Melbourne Involvement in Incorporated Collaborative Centres) will assist in determining when it is appropriate, beneficial and cost-effective to create or participate in an incorporated collaborative centre is a fundamental threshold question for the University.
Use of University resources (such as facilities)
The following procedures are to be followed by staff seeking to engage parties external to the University in research-related activities requiring access by those parties to University facilities.- Proposals for collaborative research and related intellectual property and facilities use issues should, in the first instance, be coordinated through the Manager (Research Collaboration), Melbourne Research Office.
- Where there is a need for collaborating partners or third parties to use University facilities and equipment for research activities, the proposed contract arrangements and agreements must be referred to Legal Services.
- Where collaborating partners or third parties seek to lease University space and facilities for research or there are other accommodation issues, the request must be referred to Property and Campus Services.
- Where there is a requirement for a short-term lease or an arrangement for use of University facilities, equipment or space for research activities by collaborating partners or third parties, Faculties and Departments must first have the agreement of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) that the proposed research will be of benefit to the University. (A short-term lease or arrangement is defined as less than 12 months.)
- Faculties and Departments are responsible for ensuring that all Compliance and EH&S Standards and Regulations are met in relation to their research activities or those carried out by collaborating partners or third parties using University facilities within their jurisdiction.