Researchers supported by “an invisible framework”
12 Aug 2025
How our Contracts Team can help you navigate a changing landscape
In the past decade, the landscape for research contracting in UK universities has changed significantly. What was once a relatively straightforward task, agreeing terms for a research project with a funder or partner, is now much more complex and time-consuming.
This growing complexity in research contracts is down to a number of factors – increased collaboration across borders and sectors, stricter regulation and compliance demands, IP and commercialisation sensitivities, and major funders wishing to use their own agreements or terms.
For our researchers, this can be deeply frustrating.
Our University Contracts Team is here to help anyone having discussions with an external organisation, whether it’s a charity, another university or a company.
In addition, we are working with the Research Lifecycle Programme (RLP) to improve the process.
How to get the best from our support
There are many different types of contracts depending on the nature of the relationship and you will need to consider certain factors such as the transfer of information, data or materials.
If a contract is required, you can liaise with the local Research Support (RS) teams to discuss a costing while the Business Engagement and Knowledge Exchange (BEKE) Team for consultancy arrangements. RS or BEKE will create a PURE application and liaise with the Contract Team to initiate the process.
The Contacts Team will provide legal advice while working with you to draft and negotiate a contract which is appropriate for the circumstances, as well as arranging for the final contract to be signed and distributed to everyone once completed.
To help smooth the process and get the best from our support, we would ask that you:
- Involve the Contracts Team early: Contact us as soon as you know a collaboration is on the horizon to allow time for risk assessment, due diligence, and negotiation before deadlines become critical and reduce the risk of a “re-work” when contractual terms clash with how the project is intended to be set up.
- Be clear about the collaboration model: Think about how your collaboration will work. Will partners contribute funding, staff, or facilities? Will they be doing their own research, or just supporting yours? Who will own what? What data will be shared? These questions go to the heart of how the project should be structured legally and contractually.
- Give us context: A short summary of the project’s aims, partners, funding, and anticipated outputs will help us tailor the contract to reflect the risks and needs of the work.
- Help set partner expectations: Many delays happen because partners expect contracts to be signed in days. Let them know that University contracts take time and explain why. If there’s a problem, let us know – we’re used to having these conversations and can often help de-escalate an issue.
An invisible framework
Head of Contracts, Lisa Murphy said: “A good contract protects academic freedom, clarifies expectations, enables innovation, and ensures compliance. When done well, it becomes invisible – a framework that enables the work to flourish.
“As a Contracts team, we’re committed to supporting research and making our processes as efficient and researcher friendly as possible – so we can navigate this increasingly complex landscape together.”
Improving the process
The Contracts Team and The Research Lifecycle Programme (RLP) are working on a new collaboration to understand the challenges faced by researchers and contracting staff alike.
Our aim is to design solutions that reduce friction, increase transparency, and create a more efficient, researcher-friendly process with a mix of more immediate, impactful changes and longer-term work to address difficult, long-standing issues.
Find out more at:
Access Contracts Team tools and support
To try out our tools, discover our roles and responsibilities and get further information, guidance and support, visit: