Increasingly, university researchers are developing mutually beneficial collaborations with industry partners. This gives Canadian businesses access to new ideas to help compete in global markets, while the University fulfills its mandate of transferring research results to society. On a more practical level, sponsored research brings in more funding, provides access to interesting high-value problems, provides valuable exposure to industrial challenges, and gives students the opportunity to gain relevant industrial training for future career opportunities.

How Does MILO Help?

McMaster Industry Liaison Office (MILO) facilitates working with industry by negotiating all industry-sponsored research agreements and all research contracts performed by the university, whether from government, industry or other sources.  We also work with researchers and industry to ensure that appropriate legal agreements are in place to enable the exchange of cells, other biological or chemical materials (MTAs) and confidential information and data (NDAs/DTAs).

We assist researchers in maximizing their funding from industry by identifying and reviewing application to eligible industry matching grant programs, such as Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council’s (NSERC) Research Partnerships Programs, as well as funding through the Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) collaborative programs. We also help researchers in applying for commercialization funding programs, such as NSERC’s Idea-to-Innovation Program.

Establishing Agreements for Industry Funding

One of MILO’s advisors will prepare the appropriate research agreement which will include the following project details:

• Project description
• Timelines
• Deliverables
• Resource and facilities requirements
• Graduate student involvement
• Intention of applying for matching funds
• Budget (including the appropriate indirect cost rate)

We’ll work with you to define the appropriate terms and negotiate your agreement with the industry partner while you seek the required internal approval.