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Research is at the heart of public sector research establishments (PSREs) and is one of the major lynchpins of our universities. Government policy over recent years has given greater prominence to the importance of research but, despite that, government funding is still less than the equivalent funding in the USA and Japan. Research institutions' own resources are stretched and government funding in its various guises cannot bridge the funding gap alone. Understandably, therefore, research institutions have been extremely proactive in seeking cash and other resources from elsewhere. More and more companies are outsourcing research and development activities, especially as they become aware that research organisations and universities have an entrepreneurial capability and that many commercially relevant developments are directly underpinned by, or arise from, basic scientific advances, for example, in life sciences. With some complex research areas it is not just a case of bringing in funding, but also there may be a need to bring in other participants with specialist skills in different research areas. This means that there is increasing demand placed upon researchers to find and compete for research funds, especially if they aspire to maintain and enhance their standing through frequent publications and conference appearances. All of these give rise to the need for some sort of research contract (agreement). In many ways it is just like a romance: n Courtship – finding and getting on with your possible research collaborator. n Engagement – exploring possible contract terms. n The wedding ceremony – signing the contract. n Being married – making the collaboration work. Just like any marriage or partnership commitment, you will go into it with the intention of it being as positive as possible and for it to endure. However with Research Contracts, but unlike marriage, you will want to have a number of such relationships running at any one time of varying durations and you will also want to be planning for the next one(s)! Introduction 2