Examples
Worked examples
- Is an instance
A university and a medical-device company execute a mutual NDA before exchanging proprietary algorithm details to scope a sponsored-research engagement.
- Is an instance
An inventor signs a unilateral NDA covering disclosure of unpublished invention details to a potential licensee evaluating a technology-transfer opportunity.
Counter-examples
Looks similar, but isn't
- Not an instance
Discussions limited to information already published in the scientific literature do not require an NDA.
- Not an instance
Routine review of a manuscript by an editor or peer reviewer is governed by journal confidentiality policy rather than a standalone NDA.
Editorial commentary
In a research-administration context, NDAs are executed by the institution before exchanging proprietary technical information, draft grant proposals, unpublished data, or trade secrets with prospective collaborators, sponsors, vendors, or licensees. They define what counts as confidential, the permitted purpose, the term of confidentiality (often three to seven years beyond disclosure), required handling and return-or-destruction obligations, and standard exclusions for information that becomes public, was already known, or is independently developed. NDAs may be unilateral, mutual, or three-way.
References
- AUTM Guide to Confidentiality Agreements in University-Industry Interactions
- WIPO Practical Guide for Researchers on Confidentiality and Trade Secrets
Also known as
NDA · non-disclosure agreement · confidential disclosure agreement · CDA
Machine-readable encodings
Use in your systems
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