Instructional Leadership, emphasis: K-12 School Leadership (MEd)
Stacked petri dishes on shelf alongside vial of small pebble-like material on shelf of research lab.
  1. NAU
  2. Research
  3. Innovations
  4. Tech transfer
  5. Non-disclosure agreements

Non-disclosure agreements

Also called secrecy, confidentiality, or proprietary agreements, non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) are an important part of the technology transfer process. NDAs set forth the rights and obligations of two or more parties who wish to exchange sensitive information. NDAs allow researchers and the university to demonstrate the intent to restrict the disclosure of sensitive or proprietary information. Additionally, they are most often used when a researcher is interested in discussing a potential collaborative research opportunity with a for-profit entity, or when researchers wish to disclose unpublished research ideas and data with colleagues at other institutions.

NDAs are usually negotiated and signed by certain individuals within companies, universities, and other entities. This authorized representative is often NOT the individual that the researcher is working with. At NAU, the authorized representative for executing research-related NDAs is the director of NAU Innovations.

NAU uses a standard NDA which can be provided to the other party either by NAU Innovations or by the researcher.

If you would like NAU Innovations to work directly with the other institution, contact the NAU Technology Transfer Coordinator.

If you would like to send the NDA to the other institution:
  1. Download the NDA and attach it to an e-mail to send to the colleague or company representative.
  2. Copy NAU Innovations.
  3. In the body of the e-mail, include the following text: “Our technology transfer office negotiates and executes NDAs. After you have reviewed the NDA, please return it via e-mail to Cristy Salanga at nauinnovations@nau.edu .”

NAU Innovations will also negotiate and sign NDAs from other parties. Review of these NDAs can be initiated by contacting Cristy Salanga.