Collaborative Research

FTM encourages research collaboration with various national and international institutes. Collaboration is a way to enhance each institute’s research capability and establish close ties for sharing knowledge and skills. Not only does collaboration build knowledge in the field of tropical medicine, it can also provide opportunities for educational institutions to apply their findings to benefit affected communities.

FTM collaborations must follow the Faculty’s policies and guidelines, so that the research meets legislative and regulatory requirements.

(Template for MU Research Collaboration Agreement).

Collaboration Requirements

1. Collaboration Agreement

Always use a written agreement to establish formal research collaboration. The agreement must be completed before the collaborative project starts.

2. Ethics and Biosafety Clearances

1. Ethics and biosafety approvals must be obtained from the relevant FTM Ethics Committees and/or Institutional Review Board of collaborating institution/s prior to commencement of the research, consistent with the requirements of a code of conduct for human-subject protection; a code of conduct for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, and the code of practice under the Pathogen and Toxin Act.
2. All collaborative research carried out at FTM must meet the requirements of Thai legislation and Mahidol University policies.

3. Data Management and Intellectual Property

1. Management of research materials and data must comply with FTM Policy.
2. Whenever materials / specimens are transferred, a Material Transfer Agreement (MTA) is required (www.tm.mahidol.ac.th/research/client/EC_Download.php)
3. The arrangement for sharing either research materials or data must be agreed before starting the research project, and must be included in the formal written agreement.
4. Each collaborating institution will identify the person from their institution who is responsible for the management of research data, and other items (if any) to be retained at the end of the project.
5. If the primary researcher is a FTM researcher, FTM and Mahidol University will normally be the holder of the research materials and data. If FTM is not the holder of the research materials and data, the details of the research materials and data must be recorded under FTM policy.
6. Management of intellectual property, including copyright, must follow the Mahidol University Intellectual Property Policy. It is important that the formal agreement between FTM and a collaborating organization include identification of creators, and distribution and ownership before, during, and after the conclusion of a collaborative research project.

4. Confidentiality

1. Confidentiality requirements must be agreed before the collaborative project starts and be documented in the formal agreement. The confidentiality requirements must meet relevant legislation, other agreements, research ethics requirements, and other relevant professional standards.
2. Confidential materials must be stored securely and researchers with access to confidential materials must maintain that confidentiality. Information can only be used in ways that are consistent with ethical and legal requirements and agreed to by those who provided the information.
3. When a FTM researcher uses data held by a collaborator, details of the source of the data, the arrangements for its storage, and any confidentiality issues, should be practiced.

5. Dissemination of Research Outcomes

1. methods used to share research outcomes must be agreed and written into the agreement.
2. The researchers who are involved in a collaborative research project must comply with the Mahidol University Authorship Policy (http://intranet.mahidol/op/orpr/Newhrsite/Academic_site/U_assis.html)
3. All collaborating researchers must follow the confidentiality, knowledge assets and intellectual property conditions agreed in the formal agreement, as well as any other relevant professional or industry requirements.

6. Disclosure Conflict of Interest

Researchers involved in collaborative research projects are required to disclose and manage any potential conflicts of interest in the research, as required under the FTM Conflict of Interest Policy.

7. Commercial Returns

When it is thought that there will be commercial returns from a collaborative project, the formal agreement must include details about the distribution of those returns, and must be consistent with the Mahidol University Guidelines for Commercial Activities. (http://intranet.mahidol/op/orra/research_regulation.html)