Studentship Agreement Template for Switzerland

A Studentship Agreement outlines the terms between a Swiss educational institution and a student researcher pursuing advanced studies or doctoral work. It covers key aspects like research scope, funding arrangements, intellectual property rights, and supervision details.

Under Swiss academic regulations, these agreements protect both parties by clearly defining duties, time commitments, and financial support. They typically specify research milestones, publication rights, and confidentiality obligations - especially important when projects involve collaboration with industry partners or receive external funding from organizations like the Swiss National Science Foundation.

Use a Studentship Agreement when starting any funded research project at Swiss universities or research institutions. This applies especially to doctoral candidates, postgraduate researchers, and students receiving grants from sources like the Swiss National Science Foundation or industry partners.

The agreement becomes essential before beginning lab work, accessing research facilities, or handling confidential data. It's particularly important for projects involving intellectual property rights, international collaborations, or industry-sponsored research. Swiss academic institutions often require these agreements before granting access to resources or releasing research funds.

• Basic Research Studentship: Covers standard academic research activities, funding, and supervision arrangements for Swiss university programs
• Industry-Sponsored Agreement: Includes additional IP protection and confidentiality clauses for corporate-funded research projects
• International Collaboration Agreement: Contains specific provisions for cross-border research partnerships and exchange programs
• Lab-Based Research Agreement: Features enhanced safety protocols and equipment usage terms for laboratory work
• Interdisciplinary Project Agreement: Addresses multiple department involvement and shared resource allocation

• Research Students: PhD candidates, postdocs, and graduate researchers who receive funding and agree to specific research commitments
• Academic Supervisors: Professors or senior researchers who oversee the student's work and ensure research objectives are met
• University Legal Teams: Draft and review agreements to protect institutional interests and ensure compliance with Swiss education law
• Research Institutions: The organizations providing facilities, resources, and often funding for the research project
• External Partners: Industry sponsors or grant-giving bodies who provide financial support and may have specific research requirements

• Research Details: Gather project scope, duration, funding sources, and specific research objectives
• Student Information: Collect academic credentials, enrollment status, and visa requirements for international students
• Funding Terms: Document stipend amounts, payment schedules, and any external grant conditions
• Supervision Plan: Outline meeting frequency, progress reporting requirements, and evaluation criteria
• Resource Access: List required facilities, equipment, and data access permissions
• IP Rights: Define ownership of research outputs, publication rights, and confidentiality requirements

• Party Details: Full names and addresses of student, institution, and supervisors
• Project Scope: Detailed research objectives, timeline, and expected deliverables
• Financial Terms: Stipend amount, payment schedule, and funding source specifications
• Intellectual Property: Clear provisions on research ownership and publication rights
• Confidentiality: Data protection measures aligned with Swiss privacy laws
• Termination Clauses: Conditions for early termination and notice periods
• Governing Law: Explicit reference to Swiss law and relevant cantonal jurisdiction

A Studentship Agreement differs significantly from a Collaboration Agreement, though they're often confused in academic settings. While both involve multiple parties working together, their purposes and legal frameworks are distinct under Swiss law.

• Scope and Purpose: Studentship Agreements specifically govern academic research relationships and funding, while Collaboration Agreements cover broader partnerships between independent entities
• Hierarchy: Studentship Agreements involve a clear supervisory structure between institution and student, whereas Collaboration Agreements assume equal partner status
• IP Rights: Studentship Agreements typically grant primary IP rights to the institution, while Collaboration Agreements usually involve shared ownership or negotiated rights
• Duration and Terms: Studentship Agreements align with academic programs or research periods, while Collaboration Agreements often follow project-based or commercial timelines