External Customers

1. Northwestern University has a history of cooperation with external clients including for-profit and non-profit organizations. Cooperation is encouraged because it produces mutual benefits as well as benefits to society.  This cooperation includes use of NU core facilities at appropriate external rates.  If you are interested in using the instruments or services of a core facility, please contact the Director or Manager of the facility to inquire about availability.  If you are uncertain which facility to contact, please use the Search Facilities box on the right to identify the location of instruments, services or people in core facilities.

 

2. Directors and Managers of NU core facilities who are considering accepting work from a non-NU customer should read the document "Processing a Service Request for an External Customer" BEFORE agreeing to the work.  These questions address issues related to external rates, research safety, risk management, material transfer, intellectual property, nationality and purchase orders.

 

3. Here is a Powerpoint presentation by the Director of Core Facilities on the External Use of Core Facilities presented on November 29 and 30, 2011.

 

4. Below are examples of pre-approved "service" agreements (not research) for external customers that may be appropriate for core facilities:

 

Laboratory Service Agreement (11/23/11)

Volunteers and Visitors Lab Use Agreement - for more information about NU policies regarding risk management, please visit the Office of Risk Management website

Uniform Biological Material Transfer Agreement

Research or Reagent Form - please visit the INVO website

Confidential Disclosure Agreement - for more information about disclosure agreements, please visit the NUIT website

Mutual Confidential Disclosure Agreement - for more information about disclosure agreements, please visit the NUIT website

Data Use Agreement

Memorandum of Understanding

 

5. For examples of "research" agreements, please visit the INVO website.