Foundation Company & University Partnerships Toolkit

The Research Acceleration and Innovation Network

Published: February 09, 2024

Company Partnerships

A growing number of foundations are providing funding to biotech and pharma companies to incentivize research in their disease areas and help start-ups cross the 'Valley of Death'. Use the information in this toolkit to find the right partners and structure agreements to help you achieve your goals. Produced with generous support from The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust.

Business Process Overview and Due Diligence Checklist to Assess New Small Business Funding Opportunities
Source: FasterCures/Foundation Fighting Blindness

Deal Checklist
Source: Schaner & Lubitz, PLLC

Foundation Agreement with Biotechnology/Pharmaceutical Company
Source: Schaner and Lubitz, PLLC

Measuring and Improving Impact
Source: Milken Institute's FasterCures Center

Mutual Non-Disclosure Agreement
Source: Schaner and Lubitz, PLLC

University Partnerships

Foundations have a long tradition of supporting research conducted by academic institutions. However, with government funding shrinking and philanthropy taking more outcome-driven approaches, priorities are shifting. Use the information in this toolkit to help you craft agreements with universities that best serve the needs and interests of all parties.

Here we offer sample agreements from three different foundations that represent varying approaches, priorities, and levels of complexity. We've also included templates that address access to research tools, milestones and deliverables, progress reporting, confidential disclosure, materials transfer, and research consortia. Produced with generous support from The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust.