Services for Staff/Students
The Research Commercialisation Team provides a range of assistance to both staff and students at Durham University on various legal and commercial issues:
- Legal Information - Intellectual Property, Agreements, Confidential Information, Know-How, Patents.
- Funding Opportunities - Business Start-up and Growth, Internships, Industrial Studentships Industrial Fellowships, POC, Feasibility Studies, Prototype Development, etc.
- Blueprint Business Planning Competition - open to both students and staff at Durham University.
The Research Commercialisation Team has also formed close relationships with the following departments:
Business Engagement Team
The Research Commercialisation Team is linked into the Business Engagement Team under a number of initiatives. e.g. the KTA, KTS, Consultancy, Business Collaboration and Regional Engagement/Outreach. All of the above may be used where appropriate as part of the commercialisation of research. i.e. where the best way to exploit research results is to transfer knowledge via consultancy for companies. The Research Commercialisation Team can facilitate this.
Research Office
This department works alongside the Research Commercialisation Team to support staff in commercialising research outputs where appropriate. Applications for research funding increasingly require statements of commercial potential or exploitation plans for research results. Technology Transfer & Business Development Mangers will assist with these.
Larger research collaborations such as LINK Schemes or EU Frameworks contracts will need arrangements in place for IP Protection of results and arrangements to clarify ownership. The Research Commercialisation Team can support negotiations prior to signing any contracts, to ensure fair terms for the University and applicant. As REF comes into operation, the Research Commercialisation Team will assist the Research Office in measuring/reporting research impacts. (More about the Research Office)
Links with Business & Industry
The Research Commercialisation Team has built up links with local and national companies and businesses who utilise University Intellectual Property.
As part of our core activity we maintain links with service providers including:
- Patent Agents
- Legal Firms
- Accountants
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Investors in Technology / Technology Brokers / Enterprise Agencies
o TEDCO
o Entrust
When staff/students are looking to protect or exploit Intellectual Property the TTO will steer them in the right direction of an appropriate service provider. (More about Links with Business & Industry)
