Joint Research Agreement between Research Organization for Agriculture and Food, National Research and Innovation Agency, Indonesia, and the Partner F, Japan, for Collaboration in Development and Promotion of Rice Breeding Materials for Blast in Indonesia, 2022

This document is made on the basis of an agreement entered into and executed by the Research Organization for Agriculture and Food, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Indonesia (hereinafter referred to as “BRIN”) and the Partner F (hereinafter referred to as “Partner F”), Japan (hereinafter jointly referred to as “Parties”).

To facilitate and harmonize the collaboration between BRIN and Partner F, the Parties have reached mutual understanding as set forth in the following conditions.

Article 1. Nature of Collaboration

1.1    The collaboration between the Parties shall be in the planning and implementation of a predetermined and mutually agreed upon research project.

1.2   The Parties have agreed to cooperate in the research on “Development and promotion of rice breeding materials for blast in Indonesia” (hereinafter referred to as Project).

1.3   When there is a need for other forms of collaboration, these will be discussed, agreed upon and implemented by the Parties.

Article 2. Project Work Plans

2.1   This Joint Research Agreement (hereinafter referred to as Agreement) shall be supplemented by a separate work plan for the Project.

2.2   The Work Plan shall specify the details of the research plan including subjects, objectives, scope, methodologies, time schedule and other elements necessary for implementing the Project.

2.3   With the consent of the Parties, the Work Plan may be modified in the course of the Project duration.

2.4 Additional plans and suggestions for the Project may originate from each of the Parties but will require the approval of the other Party for implementation.

2.5 Recognizing that, in order to successfully and fully attain the goals of the Project covered by this Agreement, cooperation and development of partnership with third parties would be appropriate and indispensable, the Parties may, by mutual consent, allow a third party to participate in its implementation following the conditions set forth in the said Agreement. 

Article 3. Effective Term of Agreement

The duration of the Project is from the date of signing of the Agreement to March 2026.

Article 4. General Contributions

4.1 BRIN will, subject to personnel and budgetary limitations and as may be mutually agreed upon, provide the following inputs:

4.1.1   Laboratories and related facilities required for the Project;

4.1.2   Scientific and support staff required for the Project;

4.1.3   Assistance to JIRCAS scientist(s) in meeting the formalities prescribed by government authorities for granting of visa(s);

4.1.4   Arrangements for obtaining customs clearance and tax exemption on agreed items of equipment and supplies.

4.2 Partner F will, subject to personnel and budgetary limitations, and as may be mutually agreed upon, provide the following inputs:

4.2.1 Visiting scientist(s) on either short- or long-term assignments to work on mutually agreed upon subjects;

4.2.2   The allowances, accommodation costs and travel expenses of the visiting Partner F Scientist(s);

4.2.3   Various items of supplies and equipment required for the collaborative project within an allocated budget. These items will be made available to BRIN for use throughout the Project. Upon the completion of the Project, possible extension of the use of these items by BRIN will be negotiated subject to terms and conditions that may subsequently be agreed upon by the Parties;

4.2.4   Financial support for labor of the personnel hired for field and laboratory studies;

4.2.5. Financial support for research staff and administrative officers of BRIN invited to Japan to participate in the discussion meetings concerning various matters related to the promotion of collaborative research, as well as to conduct research work jointly with their Partner F counterparts.

Article 5. Results/Publications/Intellectual Property Rights

5.1 Research results and materials developed in this Project will be considered as the joint property of BRIN and Partner F and will be subject to the intellectual property rights policy of BRIN and the relevant intellectual property rights policy of Partner F.

5.2 Research results may be used by either or both Parties, with due recognition of each party’s contribution.

5.3 Research findings will be published in the public interest if mutually agreed upon.

5.4 Publications may be joint or separate as determined in each case. In case of any failure to agree on the method of publication or interpretation of results, except annual reports, the Party desirous of publishing the findings separately may do so after having considered comments and suggestions offered by the other Party.

5.5 Either Party publishing any research findings will give credit to the other Party’s contribution but shall, at the same time, be entirely responsible for the conclusions and interpretations reported.

5.6 In such case that the Parties agree to make patent application of the obtained results, the Parties shall negotiate and shall have a separate agreement, regarding sharing of the rights, application, registration and maintenance costs of the patent.

5.7 Either Party may use any research materials or genetic resources of the other Party for the Project under a Material Transfer Agreement (MTA) concluded separately between BRIN and Partner F.

5.8 Any confidential information, including personal data, which may be disclosed to one Party to the other, or which may be developed by both Parties jointly under this Agreement, should be kept confidential by all Parties.

Article 6. Procedures for transferring of genetic resources

In such case that the Parties agree to transfer genetic resources, the Parties shall follow the necessary procedures and adhere to pertinent rules of each country as well as international agreements. Each Party shall collect and provide in good faith information about domestic rules to the other Party.

Article 7. Final Report

BRIN and Partner F shall prepare a final report describing all the obtained results immediately after completion of the collaboration or upon termination of this Agreement.

Article 8. Discussion

If any matter arises, for which this Agreement has no provisions, or any doubtful issue in respect of the performance of this Agreement, BRIN and Partner F shall hold discussions to amicably settle it.

Article 9. Modifications and Termination of Agreement

9.1    The Parties of this Agreement may, by mutual consent, add, modify, amend, or delete any words, phrases, sentences or provisions in this Agreement.

9.2   The Agreement shall remain in full force and effect for the duration specified in Article 3 unless terminated by mutual consent of the Parties, provided that at least a six-month prior notice by either Party shall have been issued.

9.3   After completion of the Project or termination of this Agreement, each clause described in Article 5 shall remain in effect for further three years, unless otherwise discussed and agreed upon by the Parties. Any personal data shall not be disclosed for an indefinite duration.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have signed this document on the date and in the place indicated below.