Understanding Agreements: Research vs. Service

Partnerships staff clarify the differences between service and research agreements. Get a better understanding of the process leading up to executing a service agreement with the client/partner.
 

Learning Outcomes:

1. Understand the distinction between service agreements and research agreements
2. Identify which agreement is most appropriate for a given funding opportunity
3. Describe and follow the respective procedure for executing a service or research agreement
    

Key Takeaways:

1. What is a Service Agreement?
    
   These are key characteristics of a service agreement:
   • Undertaken between an external organization and the University
   • Researcher provides well-defined work on a fee-for-service model, where the scope and nature of the proposed work is largely defined by the client 
   • Primary goal of applying existing knowledge towards a particular problem/ to generate data of limited application
   • May include the use of established testing protocols, analytical services, or existing research tools
      
2. What is a Research Agreement?
    
   Research agreements with external partners can be funded or non-funded, and include material or data transfer agreements, collaboration agreements and sponsored research agreements. A defining feature of a research agreement is that the researcher determines the manner of performance of the project and the scope of the work. This can be done in consultation with the sponsor.
    
3. Who can approve Service Agreements?
    
   Academic service agreements are subject to the Provostial Guideline for Academic Divisions on Contracts, which is why it is important to obtain the appropriate level of divisional approval before submitting your service agreement to the Innovations and Partnerships Office (IPO) for review.  In particular, it is important that service agreements are consistent with the academic priorities of the division, the division’s own contract guidelines and align with all other University policies and guidelines. If there are other central approvals required, your CAO in particular, will identify and consult as appropriate.
    
4. How can you submit a Service Agreement to IPO for review?
    
   
   1. Obtain internal divisional approval
   2. Complete and submit this questionnaire to IPO at innovations.partnerships@utoronto.ca 
   3. Attach the draft agreement provided by the client, if available
   4. Submit a My Research Application (MRA) if the service project requires Research Ethics Board (REB) review and approval