Unlike most academic research centers, EMARC actively seeks industry inputs to identify specific technology needs as the basis for its research programming. This process, as well as the formation and management of relationships with industrial clients, is overseen by a commercialization team made up of respresentatives from Missouri Enterprise, a state-run business assistance center, and two local R&D businesses. The local business associates, who have more than twenty years of collective experience in managing industrial research and product development programs, carry out most of the commercialization team's activities. They develop contacts with industry, assess technical needs, and assist EMARC with preparing research proposals in response to those needs.

The local business associates also provide a mechanism for EMARC to add greater commercial value to university-generated technologies before transferring them to an industrial sponsor. For example, the local business partners may continue a program initiated by the Center by obtaining funding from governmental sources such as the federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. In some instances, as much as $750,000 in governmental funding can be leveraged to develop the technology for an industrial sponsor. During this phase of the work, investigators from the Center continue to participate in the development of the technology, but now in an environment where product development can be emphasized and accelerated. Technical staff from the industrial sponsor are encouraged to participate during this phase to ensure that the sponsor's technical objectives are met and that final transfer of the technology will occur efficiently.

Establishing a Research Program

A research program may be initiated by a corporate sponsor or by Missouri University of Science and Technology academic faculty and staff. The research program is executed following contract negotiations and the establishment of a mutually agreeable research plan.

Research Plan, Contract Negotiations and Execution

Preliminary discussions are normally held between the Faculty Investigator and the sponsor prior to any final contract submission. Discussions may include the reporting of results, costs and billings, publicity, publications, and intellectual properties. Exclusive licensing is typically discussed during these preliminary negotiations in preparation for the University of Missouri Patents and Licensing Office. When formal negotiations are completed the project is established through the department of Externally Sponsored Programs

Publications

The University's policy is to undertake those projects whose results are freely publishable. All precautions are taken to insure compliance with any obligation of confidentiality pertaining to proprietary information. This protection can be accomplished generally without harm to the university's publication rights.

Patents

The University of Missouri recognizes the importance of the rights to inventions. The following is a profile of ownership rights:

• Inventions made solely by employees of the sponsor belong to the sponsor
  
• All inventions, improvements and discoveries conceived and made by University employees belong to the University
  
• Inventions and discoveries made jointly by employees of the University and the Sponsor belong jointly to the parties
  
• In the case where the University does own rights, the option of exclusive or nonexclusive licensing by the sponsor is available