Collaborative Research

Collaborative Research is a framework in which Researchers from Chiba University and External Institutions work together to address shared challenges through joint research efforts.

Collaborative Research Overview

Chiba University faculty members partner with researchers from External Institutions, such as companies and local governments, to tackle shared challenges. These collaborations leverage the university's research expertise and the technical strengths of its partners, resulting in impactful research outcomes.
Collaborative Research is carried out in two main formats:

1. University-based Research: Conducted at Chiba University, with researchers and funding provided by an External Institution.
2. Joint-site Research: Conducted at both Chiba University and an External Institution, with researchers and funding, or funding only, provided by the External Institution.

Expenses Required for Collaborative Research

The expenses required for Collaborative Research are as follows.

1. Direct Expenses: direct expenses refer to specific expenses necessary for the execution of Collaborative Research, such as costs for consumable supplies, travel expenses, and personnel expenses for research collaborators.
2. Indirect Expenses: indirect costs are amounts determined to cover expenses related to the execution of Collaborative Research that are not included in direct costs.
3. Collaborative Researchers from External Institutions: They are researchers actively engaged in Collaborative Research who are dispatched to Chiba University while maintaining their position at their External Institution. When such researchers are dispatched, the External Institution is required to cover an annual research fee of 440,000 yen.
4. Expenses Covered by Chiba University: To facilitate the execution of Collaborative Research, the university covers necessary expenses for the maintenance and management of facilities and equipment provided for the Collaborative Research, as well as personnel expenses for the university's faculty involved in the project.
5. When research is conducted as Joint-site Research, the requisite expenses for research carried out at the External Institution shall be covered by the External Institution.

Research Period (Contract Period)

The research period may range from one to five years. For multi-year agreements, it is essential to clearly outline the allocation of costs for each year.

Intellectual Property Rights

If any inventions or similar achievements resulting from the Collaborative Research lead to shared intellectual property rights between Chiba University and the External Institution, the respective parties will determine their respective shares through consultation and jointly file for intellectual property rights as shared ownership.
Furthermore, the External Institution or its designated representatives may be granted preferential rights to utilize the shared intellectual property for a specific period, as outlined in a separate intellectual property agreement.
In principle, the External Institution will bear the costs associated with applications, patent fees, and other expenses related to shared intellectual property rights.

Tax Incentives

The tax incentives in Collaborative Research are as follows.
Please consult the tax office for precise details.

1. Tax deduction for increased experimental and research expenses
2. Tax deduction based on the total experimental and research expenses
3. Tax deduction-specific experimental and research activities
4. Tax incentives to strengthen the technological foundation of small and medium-sized enterprises /li>
5. Reference: Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry website

Collaborative Research Q&A

Q1: What should we do if we have decided on a research theme but are not sure which researcher to approach?

A1: If you are unsure which researcher is suitable for your research theme, please consult the Academic Research & Innovation Management Organization (IMO). The coordinators will connect you with the appropriate researcher.

Q2: Where should we handle the procedures for Collaborative Research?

A2: Procedures should be carried out through the researcher in charge. For matters related to intellectual property, IMO will provide guidance and facilitate discussions.

Q3: Can research begin before an External Institution has paid the research expenses for Collaborative Research?

A3: Research can commence on the date the agreement is finalized, provided both parties agree. Payment of research expenses can follow as stipulated in the agreement.

Q4: Can we set a multi-year research period for Collaborative Research? Additionally, is it possible to split the payment of research expenses into installments?

A4: The research period may range from one to five years. Research costs may be settled either through a single lump-sum payment or installments.

Q5: Can we send our company's researchers to Chiba University to conduct Collaborative Research?

A5: Company researchers can be dispatched to Chiba University while retaining their position at their company to conduct joint research. In such cases, the company is required to pay an annual research fee of 440,000 yen per researcher to the university, in addition to direct expenses.

Q6: What are direct costs and indirect costs?

A6: Direct costs refer to specific expenses necessary for the execution of research, such as honoraria, travel expenses, and consumable supplies. Indirect costs, on the other hand, cover expenses associated with the university's infrastructure required for research. These include costs for maintaining infrastructure, administrative management, and utility charges for lighting, heating, and water.

Q7: Regarding Frequently Asked Questions on Collaborative Research Agreements

A7：

① For inventions arising from Collaborative Research, the share contributed by our faculty members will be evaluated by the Invention Evaluation Committee under the Chiba University Regulations for Employee Invention to determine whether the rights will be assumed by the university.

② Chiba University acknowledges that at the commencement of Collaborative Research, the specific nature of any intellectual property rights or outcomes remains undermined. Engaging in detailed discussions about their management at this preliminary stage may extend contract negotiations.
Therefore, regarding the university's share of intellectual property rights arising from Collaborative Research, the University offers its External Institutions predefined options:
・Transfer of rights
・Grant of exclusive licenses
・Grant of non-exclusive licenses
・Deferral of selection until patent registration
External Institutions are requested to make their selection within 180 days following the filing of the relevant intellectual property rights application. Subsequent terms and conditions on the selected option will be determined through consultation and formalized in joint application agreements or license agreements at a later stage.

③ Chiba University retains the right to utilize the research achievements from Collaborative Research for 'Education and Research Activities."