Legally binding agreements set down arrangements between organisations participating in your clinical research. The arrangements include insurance and liability provisions, publication and intellectual property, compliance with the relevant regulations, legislation and codes of practice as well as financial arrangements.  Such agreements must be signed by authorised signatories on behalf of the University of Edinburgh and NHS Lothian Health Board.

Depending on the nature of your study, your research may require a drug or equipment supply agreement, sponsor agreement, site agreements, collaboration agreements and material transfer/human tissue transfer agreements.  Regulators require particular agreements and arrangements to be in place for clinical trials of investigational medicinal products (CTIMPs), and it is considered good practice to have such contracts in place for other types of research.

The Contracts Team provides contract and legal support to the academic/research community in drafting, reviewing, negotiating and signing research contracts and all related documents. All agreements which are entered into on behalf of the University or NHS Lothian Health Board are reviewed to ensure compliance with legislation, policies and best practice.

The team are responsible for a range of research agreements, including:

• Clinical trials/studies
• Collaboration
• Confidentiality (non-disclosure)
• Data transfer
• Funding (in conjunction with other RSO teams)
• Memorandum of understanding / agreement
• ​Material (including human tissue) transfer agreements(secured)
• Studentships
• Student assignation of IPR
• Agreements for visiting researchers

Contracts Team contacts

NHS Lothian contact