FAQ
Collaborate with LiEU

Collaborating with a university gives you access to cutting-edge scientific expertise and state-of-the-art equipment, particularly through technology platforms. It’s also an opportunity to innovate through rigorous research approaches, to benefit from advice on targeted subjects, to develop tailor-made solutions and to identify funding opportunities for collaborative R&D projects.

Collaborations can take the form of co-developed projects, research or service contracts, as well as license or knowledge transfer agreements. These collaborations can take different forms: by participating in networking events, workshops or seminars, by visiting laboratories or by exploring the expertise available via a structured inventory.

If no contact has yet been made, you can seek guidance via the KTOs or the LiEU Network. You can also get in touch directly with a researcher or a member of academic, scientific or administrative staff. You can also make connections by taking part in networking events.

The initial discussions help to pinpoint the company’s needs and identify the most appropriate expertise to meet them. They aim to establish a common framework in terms of objectives, timetable and deliverables, while exploring funding opportunities. These meetings are also an opportunity to get to know the research teams, to check that their approaches are compatible and to lay the foundations for a fruitful collaboration, particularly on issues of confidentiality, intellectual property and the valorisation of results.

Depending on the nature and complexity of the project, the project leader – whether they are a researcher or an industrial partner – is responsible for the operational coordination and overall monitoring of the project. This includes the following:

• Monitoring the progress of the project, ensuring that the planned stages are met and the objectives remain in line with the initial expectations. If necessary, adjustments are suggested to take account of unforeseen circumstances, contextual changes or new opportunities.
• Coordinating the scientific, technical, administrative and financial reporting, in line with the requirements of partners and potential funding bodies.

At the same time, the Knowledge Transfer Office (KTO) is actively involved in areas related to the valorisation of academic research results:

• Identifying groundbreaking results from the partnership and analysing their valorisation potential.
• Managing confidentiality and intellectual property aspects, including analysing patentability, registering property titles, negotiating license agreements and setting up confidentiality agreements between the parties.

The main challenges concern the alignment of expectations between partners, the differences in terms of timing between universities and businesses, legal and financial aspects, as well as confidentiality considerations, particularly between the desire to publish and the need to protect and/or valorise the results.

The time required to formalise an agreement varies according to the nature of the project, the partners involved and the legal negotiations. This period can range from a few weeks to several months.

Collaborations are subject to State funding rules, which require a balanced use of resources. Remuneration therefore covers the real costs incurred by the university and ensures that the benefits of the partnership are distributed fairly.

From the first exchanges, a confidentiality agreement can be signed. A distinction is made between pre-existing knowledge (background), results generated by the project (foreground) and knowledge developed in parallel (sideground), each with specific access rules. The terms of protection are defined in the collaboration agreement.

The transfer depends on both the technology readiness level (TRL) and the commercial readiness level (CRL) of the research results. The licensing conditions — exclusivity, territory, sector of exploitation — are then negotiated according to market standards and the ambitions of the parties involved.

The LiEU Network and the KTOs provide up-to-date information, FAQs, practical fact sheets, legal documents and memos for researchers. Training courses, workshops and events are also organised to raise awareness of collaboration between businesses and researchers.

The LiEU network brings together all five universities in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation. It facilitates access to a wide range of skills, guides people to the right contacts and helps to initiate relevant collaborations, even after the first contact has been made.

Yes, universities are regularly involved in European or international projects. This enables companies to join consortia and benefit from transnational funding (Horizon Europe, Interreg, etc.).

Collaborative research involves sharing risks, costs and results, with the possibility of publication. A service or research contract, on the other hand, is invoiced and the results generally belong to the company, with an obligation of confidentiality.

It is advisable to approach the university with a concrete problem rather than a fixed solution. Increasing the number of contacts and possible ways of collaboration, understanding academic deadlines and maintaining regular dialogue — particularly through feedback and evaluations — are the keys to a successful collaboration.

The collaboration can be extended to other fields or units. The results can be valorised through new projects, the creation of a spin-off, the licensing of exploitation rights, or industrialisation. The KTO can also support the continuation of the partnership.