IFOM Joint Research Laboratories
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Joint Research Laboratory

IFOM's extra mural research is carried out through the establishment of Joint Research Laboratories (JRLs) in partnership with world-class research institutions. JRLs are located in the partner's premises but managed from IFOM headquarters in Milan (Italy).

The Collaboration Agreement

Executed prior to the appointment of the Principal Investigator at the partner institution, the collaboration agreement regulates how IFOM and the partner institution conduct their collaborative research efforts.

The collaboration agreement addresses issues such as:

  1. the duration of the collaboration
  2. the investigator's dual status
  3. the assignment of resources to the lab
  4. how resources are split between IFOM and the partner organization
  5. the ownership of intellectual property
  6. the scientific reviewing process

Management of funds

Financial resources for JRLs day-to-day activities are directly managed from IFOM headquarters in Milan (Italy). For a matter of transparency and accountability, all costs incurred by IFOM for these JRLs must be clearly documented and tracked. For example, IFOM researchers working at JRLs receive their salary directly from IFOM just like any other IFOM employee and no transfer of funds between institutions or organizations occur. All expenses are regularly reported in IFOM's audited balance sheet.

Investigator's Dual Status

While investigators remain physically based at the partner institution and continue to serve as faculty members (or the equivalent), investigators are IFOM employees. IFOM laboratories typically include a mix of staff employed by IFOM (Principal Investigators, postdocs), and staff employed by or otherwise affiliated with the host institution (technicians, research officers, students, etc). It is expected that IFOM investigators and their IFOM staff will have the same access to partner institution resources as partner institution faculty and staff.

Scientific reviewing

IFOM conducts periodic and rigorous reviews through a panel of international scientists appointed by IFOM and the partner institution. The scientific review takes into account publications on international peer-reviewed journals and the contribution of the JRL to the advancement of the frontier in cancer research.