Collaboration & Partnership Policy

1.Principles

• mission alignment and a defined public or research benefit;
• accurate attribution and transparent public communications;
• proportionate data access, security, and confidentiality;
• respect for intellectual property and contributor choices; and
• disclosure and management of relevant conflicts of interest.

2.Written agreement

A material collaboration should identify each party, purpose, scope, duration, responsibilities, public claims, branding permissions, intellectual-property position, data-protection roles, security duties, costs, termination, and the treatment of content and data at the end. If personal data is shared, the agreement must identify the parties as controllers, joint controllers, or processor and controller according to what they actually do.

3.Editorial independence

A funder, sponsor, institution, or conference partner does not receive an undisclosed right to control World Wide search results, recommendations, moderation, or editorial conclusions. Paid or partner-supported material must be distinguishable where its context could otherwise mislead. Collaboration does not imply endorsement of every statement or activity of either party.

4.Review and concerns

We review a collaboration when its scope changes or a material risk appears. We may suspend or end it for legal, security, integrity, or mission reasons. To propose work or raise a concern, use the contact below and identify the relevant organisation and programme. Mark a confidential concern clearly; confidentiality is respected as far as review and law permit.

No agency: this policy itself creates no partnership, joint venture, employment, or agency relationship.