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Researchers Working with Industry

Empower Your Research through Industry Collaboration and Partnerships

How Can We Help?

The Office for Technology Transfer (OTT) is here to support you in building successful industry partnerships. We help define collaboration goals, navigate IP agreements, and coordinate with other WHOI offices to protect your work. Whether you're managing existing IP or exploring new opportunities for technology development and licensing, OTT ensures clear terms around ownership and usage. By engaging with us early, you can maximize the impact of your research and preserve valuable options for future collaboration.

  • Provide consultation on what you want to get out of a collaboration

  • Coordinate with other WHOI offices (eg: Grants & Contracts)

  • Develop agreements to protect your proprietary information

  • Execute other collaborative agreements for IP Management, Joint Development, or Sponsored Research

Why Might WHOI Staff Choose to Work with Industry?

Leverage the resources of an external company

Create a pathway for technology development

Generate opportunities for IP licensing

Amplify the impact of their work

Potential Industry Collaborations Scenarios at WHOI

Joint Research Projects

Example: WHOI and a partner institution are working together on technology development

Consulting Services

Example: Outside company is seeking WHOI expertise on a specific topic

SBIR/STTR Subawards

Example: WHOI team receives a subaward from a company's SBIR grant

Material Transfer

Example: A WHOI researcher wants to share research materials with an external partner

Work for Hire

Example: WHOI researcher hires an outside contractor for design or manufacturing work

We are here to support our WHOI inventors

Contact the Office for Technology Transfer for assistance or guidance on working with industry

Contact OTT

Non-Disclosure Agreements

When is an NDA Required?

An NDA is typically necessary when WHOI or a WHOI researcher is sharing confidential or proprietary information with an external party. This often occurs when:

  • WHOI is considering a business relationship with a third party and needs to exchange confidential research data for evaluation.
  • A WHOI researcher is sharing potentially sensitive or patentable information with an outside party, such as a company, interested in commercializing research findings or performing work for hire, to protect the intellectual property.
  • Other situations involving the exchange of confidential information: This may include discussions about joint research ventures, material transfer agreements, or sponsored research

How to Request an NDA:

  1. Access the new NDA Request Form HERE
  2. Complete the form with all required information.
  3. Submit the form to OTT.

OTT Assistance:

The OTT is available to assist you with the NDA process. If you are unsure whether an NDA is necessary or have any questions about the new form, please do not hesitate to contact us at techtransfer@whoi.edu. We are happy to facilitate the agreement process.

Request an NDA

Complete the request form for a Non-Disclosure Agreement with an external part

NDA Request Form