Representatives from CMIC will engage with partners, as advisors on the following activities:

1. Define, evaluate and scope research projects :
   1. subject depth
   2. to local scenarios (notice that CMIC contribution can be technical, user experience or business related)
   3. relationship to prior research
   4. presentation quality, fitness to target audience, and proposal clarity
2. Recommend best approach to utilize Microsoft resources
3. Participate at workshops, conferences, and Microsoft sponsored events
4. Host visits at CMIC facility to share best practices, brainstorming of research topics, and learn general scientific contributions (e.g. through seminars program)

CMIC can sponsor activities promoting research in target subjects in one of the following forms Gifts, Grants, summer schools or graduate students sponsorships

1. A gift; is an unrestricted donation to the partner in one or more forms: money, software, or special equipments. A simple gift letter signed by CMIC director and stating MS rights to IP will be attached to the gift
2. Grant: is a REWARD to the partner in exchange for specific research activities that are tied to specific deliverables with specific time frame. A grant can be several levels: partners can qualify to higher grants only if partners have proven record for qualifying to CMIC lower grants. The CMIC team will play advisory role only. Specific project agreement stating MS rights to Use of IP and MS right for first refusal (in case partner considers 3rd party licensing of the generated IP) are required. Rights to publish the results will be handled on case by case basis
3. Summer school: CMIC team may see a need to develop more depth and consensus around a research topic, for which CMIC research domain may need to bring experts and interested parties in one room as the team organizes (or helps organize) a summer school on the subject
4. Graduate Student Sponsorship; the CMIC team may decide to sponsor graduate students through their universities to research specific topics serving specific CMIC’s interest. The student will conduct his / her research at the university and will receive direct compensation from CMIC. Notice this is different than CMIC internship program (the student will not have access to MS resources and is not required to sign NDA. A part time employment contract stating MS rights to use the IP generated in the research project is required

Joined research partnership: This is the highest level of CMIC collaboration. CMIC team will dedicate human resources to co-research a specific concept with partner(s). CMIC will engage with partner on forming virtual teams to scope and conduct research under specific project agreement terms. The agreement will clearly state the scope and goals of the research activities, and will have attached any prior IP Microsoft or partner brings to the table. In most cases, CMIC and partner will sign an initial MOU to cover planning activities, as the two sides work together to scope the project. The MOU will state each party intention and expectations, and a time frame to ends the planning activities. A joined research project agreement will be signed after the project scope is defined. CMIC team is expected to contribute to the generation of the IP. Hence, Microsoft will

1. Own exclusive rights to the new IP generated by the project,
2. Microsoft will require license to use any prior IP the partner brings to the table
3. Microsoft may elect to license to the partner any IP the CMIC team generates or brings to the table during the project , this will be at Microsoft discretion and is open for negotiation with partner