Research, Development and Innovation (R+D+I)

Contracts and tenders

We offer support in the management of contracts and agreements with companies and other entities in the field of research at the UPC. These agreements, regulated by Article 60 of the LOSU (formerly Article 83), allow for the formalisation of collaborations for the transfer of knowledge and technology to the productive sector, fostering innovation and development.

How can we help you   

General Advice   

Guidance on the terms of collaboration and support in negotiations with the company or entity.

Legal Support 

Assistance and guidance on legal matters related to research, including drafting, reviewing, and managing contracts.

Tender Support 

Help with preparing documentation and managing submissions in tendering processes.

We also manage other types of contracts and agreements related to research, such as:

Documents to protect confidential information shared between parties before a collaboration or project.

Regulate the transfer of biological or chemical materials exclusively for research use.

Establish the general conditions for future specific collaborations with an entity.

Agreements between two parties for specific collaborations or information exchange.

Formalise collaborations between the UPC and other entities to develop joint research projects.

Documents that regulate the management and execution of European or international projects with multiple partners.

Contracts under Article 60

Article 60 of Organic Law 2/2023, of 22 March, on the University System (LOSU), authorises university research departments and institutes, as well as their teaching staff, to formalise contracts with individuals, universities, or public and private entities.

These contracts aim to carry out scientific, technological, humanistic, or artistic work, as well as specific training activities.

At the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), and in relation to the Late Payment Guidelines, the following procedures are established according to the value of the work:

    Value of the work Procedure Observations
    Over €3,000 Requires the signing of a contract formalised by the rector. It is recommended to sign the certificate of execution at each stage of the contract.
    €3,000 or less Can be invoiced directly for specific technical work (tests, technical reports, opinions) through the services account. It is recommended to sign the certificate of execution at each stage of the contract.
    Contract management according to value

    Within the framework of contract management, the following types can be distinguished according to Article 60:

    Type of contract Purpose Examples of application
    Classification of R&D&I contracts by type.
    Technical Support Contract Provision of specialised technical services. Consultancy, technical assistance, and equipment maintenance.
    R&D Contract Joint development of research and innovation projects. Creation, validation, and improvement of new processes, products, or technologies.
    Collaboration Agreement Establishment of alliances for research and training. Knowledge exchange and collaboration on research projects between the UPC and other entities.

    Procurement by Public Administration

    Agreements

    Agreements are legal instruments that allow for the establishment of collaborations between public or private entities with the aim of achieving common goals. These agreements are regulated by Law 40/2015, of 1 October, on the Legal Regime of the Public Sector, which establishes the legal framework for their formalisation and execution.

    Unlike contracts, agreements are characterised by cooperation between the parties without direct payment for services. That is, they do not imply a traditional commercial relationship, but rather mutual collaboration to achieve shared objectives. If an agreement involves a specific provision of services, it would be necessary to formalise a contract instead of an agreement.

    At the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), agreements are a fundamental tool for establishing alliances with other academic institutions, companies, and organisations, both nationally and internationally. These agreements allow for the promotion of research projects, training programmes, academic exchanges, and other initiatives that contribute to scientific and technological development.

    It is important that UPC units and staff wishing to establish an agreement contact the Agreements Unit in the initial stages of negotiation. This ensures that the agreement is developed consistently with institutional policies and that all necessary legal requirements are met.

    For any queries, you can contact the relevant Research Support Unit (USR) or the Contracts, Agreements and Tenders Unit of the Vèrtex central services.
    Consult the unit's available templates below:

    🟦 Confidentiality Agreement: Advisable prior to signing any type of agreement, in case of risk that the information supplied may be used by the other party.

    🟦 Framework Agreement: An institutional agreement that must be accompanied by at least a technical support contract, R&D contract, or patent licence.

    🟦 Collaboration Agreement: Agreement between two parties to carry out a common project that does not involve financial consideration between the parties.

    🟦Donation Agreement: Document to agree on the monetary and/or equipment donation by entities or companies to the UPC.

    🟦 Joint Research Unit Agreement: A Joint Research Unit (JRU) collaboration is a research unit whereby several entities agree to establish a strategic collaboration to develop joint activities within the framework of R&D projects, sharing teams, equipment, etc.

    🟦R&D Contract: This is a best-efforts contract where one party (the UPC) undertakes to provide certain services, consisting of carrying out a research activity in exchange for financial consideration.

    🟦 Technical Support Contract: This is a work or results contract applicable to advisory services, technical assistance, consultancy, studies, analyses, tests, opinions, and reports, in exchange for financial consideration.

    🟦 General Offer Model for Service Provision: Document describing the terms and conditions under which a service is offered.

    🟦 Contract Extension: Document to extend a contract over time.

    🟦Acknowledgement of Work Execution: Document through which the company acknowledges the execution of certain tasks by the project manager, which could be used as evidence in case of conflict between the parties.

    🟦 Material and Equipment Transfer Model: Contract between the assignor (company) and the assignee (UPC) in which the temporary use of equipment owned by a company at the UPC is transferred.

    🟦Termination: Document by which the parties mutually agree to cease the collaboration of a contract or agreement.

    FAQs
    Frequently asked questions about collaboration contracts and agreements with companies and institutions