• Definition
  
  Research agreements with a corporate entity include agreements such as a Sponsored Research Agreement (SRA), a Corporate Research Agreement (CRA), and a Clinical Trial Agreement (CTA).
  
  
• Procedure
  
  Sponsored research is generally considered "cost reimbursable" and should include detailed budgets, typically including such conditions as:
  
  • a budget related to the project plan. The terms of the agreement may specify allowable or unallowable costs, requirements for prior approvals for particular expenditures, etc.
  • a specified period of performance, typically defined with "start" and "stop" dates
  • a requirement to return any unexpended funds at the end of that period
  • regular financial reporting and audit
    

Note: A sponsored project budget should include the University's full negotiated non federal Facility and Administrative (F&A) cost rate (formerly known as Indirect Cost rate) applied on a Modified Total Direct Cost (MTDC) basis, unless a waiver of those costs has been approved or the sponsor has a formal written policy dictating limitations. If so, this policy should be provided to your Clinical Corporate Contract Officer.

Procedure for Submission of an SRA/CRA/CTA

1. Send electronic copy to: orcontracts@offres.pitt.edu and cc your Corporate Contract Officer.
2. Submit completed Contract Submission Form by faxing it to 412-624-7414 or by emailing a PDF copy to orcontracts@offres.pitt.edu
3. Office of Research staff (OR) reviews/negotiates language. When accepted language is finalized:
   • Principal Investigator (PI) signs first if so required by the contract format
   • Office of Research signs after the PI has signed
   • The designated research administrator will be contacted when the CRA/SRA is available to pick up from our office.

Note: Due to tremendous volume, OR generally cannot send out copies of your grants or contracts due to financial constraints.

Note: OR needs the original copy of any signed agreement which might be returned to you. We are the Office of Record!

Before signing corporate funding agreements:

1. PI has signed contracts (if required) - no "per" signature and no stamped signatures allowed.
2. Form 0136s on file with questions answered, and appropriate signatures.
3. If this is a clinical trial, UPMC fiscal and legal office approvals must be on file in the Office of Research.
4. Current annual Conflict of Interest (COI) filing for the PI with evidence available to the Office of Research and resolution of any known COI issues to satisfaction of that committee.
5. Appropriate Internet-based Studies in Education and Research (ISER) modules demonstrable to Office of Research

• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
  
  
• Contacts
  • Email: orcontracts@offres.pitt.edu
  • Phone: 412-624-7419
  • Fax: 412-624-7414
  • Office of Research, 123 Thackeray Place, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
    
    
• Forms
  • Submission Form for the Evaluation of a Corporate/Research Agreement
    
    
• Agreements
  • Sponsored Research Agreement/Corporate Research Agreement
  • Clinical Trial Agreement
    
    
• Resources
  • University of Pittsburgh I.P. (Intellectual Property) Facts
  • Chancellor's Office Memo on Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) vs. good laboratory practices