Research contracts
As a university largely financed by public funds, ETH Zurich attaches great importance to the principles according to which projects are carried out at ETH Zurich. The following list gives an overview of the most important points. If you have any questions, please contact the Research Contracts Group.
Contact: , HG E 36, +41 44 632 07 00
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Freedom to publish
The research results of ETH Zurich must be made available for publication. Confidentiality obligations for information transmitted to ETH Zurich by the partner will be respected. Short delays for the purpose of filing of patent applications are accepted.
Freedom of research
1) ETH Zurich may not be restricted in its freedom to pursue research. Projects are possible where there is a common interest in research with the industrial partner.
2) Unprotected project results of ETH Zurich shall remain available to ETH Zurich for further use.
3) Patent-?protected project results shall be available to ETH Zurich at least for research and teaching purposes.
No warranties
ETH Zurich carries out research according to recognized scientific standards and provides its research results to its partners "as is" with no warrenties for facts or rights. Partners from industry may use the results at their own risk and will indemnify ETH Zurich from claims of third parties, where such claims have been caused by the partner's use of the results.
Salary costs for PhD students and postdocs
For current rates, please refer to the salary webpage of the ETH Zurich Welcome Center. Please note that the rates in the tables do not yet include any social security contributions which have to be added.
Protection of project inventions and exploitation of project results
ETH Zurich utilizes three standard models:
Each party pays for its own costs
Each party protects its own project results. In case of joint results the parties make an agreement. If the industrial partner intends to use the research results of ETH Zurich outside the joint project the terms need to be negotiated.
Non-?exclusive use
The industrial partner pays ETH Zurich the direct costs of the project plus a 10% surcharge. The industrial partner is granted in a clearly defined field of use:
- a non-?exclusive right to use all project results, including all project IP rights
- where project circumstances allow, an option to negotiate exclusive rights on project IP rights
Exclusive use
The industrial partner pays ETH Zurich the direct costs of the project plus a 45% surcharge. The industrial partner is granted in a clearly defined field of use:
- a non-?exclusive right to use all project results, including all project IP rights.
- In addition, the industrial partner can file patent applications in its own name and have the corresponding rights to project inventions transferred to it by ETH Zurich without additional compensation. In return, the industrial partner grants ETH Zurich a free licence outside its field of application for all types of use with the right to sublicence.