UIDP Webinar: Students and Contracting Issues | What You Need to Know
Originally aired,
Thursday, February 19, 2026
Speakers
Rajni Aneja, Cornell University
Michelle Toth, The Dow Chemical Company
Mary Clare McCorry (Moderator), Sanofi

UIDP is a solutions-oriented organization where our members identify issues impacting university-industry (U-I) relations and opportunities to develop new approaches to working together. UIDP has been helping improve the quality of U-I partnerships since 2006.
UIDP provides members – including many of the world's most innovative companies and world-class research universities – with an opportunity to increase the success of U-I collaborations and research projects.
The UIDP team includes leading experts on U-I partnerships and collaboration.
The UIDP board includes representatives from some of the world's finest research-focused companies and universities.

Our membership comprises top-tier innovation companies and world-class research universities: organizations committed to active participation in pursuit of excellence in U-I collaboration and partnership.
Our members include top innovation companies and research universities around the world. See the membership list.
UIDP’s Community Partners are organizations and agencies that are not eligible for general membership, but whose mission and work are complementary to UIDP.
UIDP Member Sponsors play a crucial role as we expand our services to meet member needs. Together, we accomplish more!
Membership with the UIDP is institutional meaning any employee of a UIDP Member Organization can gain full access to membership services, resources and participate in our activities as a member representative.
Organizations can increase their visibility within the UIDP community by sponsoring UIDP meetings, regional events, workshops and other educational programming.
As part of its activities in support of UIDP members and for the betterment of the general academic, corporate, government, and non-profit sectors, UIDP regularly offers webinars on topical areas of interest.

The Engineering Research Visioning Alliance (ERVA), is a UIDP-administered initiative with funding support from the National Science Foundation Engineering Directorate.
The purpose of the UIDP HBCU Initiative is to develop guidance that provides representatives from companies, federal agencies, HBCUs, and other universities with best practices for developing a mutually beneficial engagement strategy.
UIDP is undertaking a year-long effort to directly address the need to strengthen and modernize university-industry partnerships through bold approaches that dramatically increase impact from collaborative innovation.
Involving students in industry-sponsored research and collaborations can unlock tremendous value, but it also raises unique contracting, legal, and policy challenges. This webinar helped university and industry professionals navigate the most common issues that arise when students are part of sponsored projects, internships, and other collaborative arrangements. This session offered real-world insights to help you manage expectations, avoid delays, and support successful collaborations that include students.
Participants gained insights into:
Student Roles & Status: How student involvement affects contracts and obligations.
IP, Publications, & Confidentiality: What to watch for when students are part of the project.
Risk & Delay Prevention: Common pitfalls and how to address them early.
Originally aired,
Thursday, February 19, 2026
Speakers
Rajni Aneja, Cornell University
Michelle Toth, The Dow Chemical Company
Mary Clare McCorry (Moderator), Sanofi