Collaboration plan

The collaboration plan takes the form of a document testifying to the agreement established between the student and his or her research supervisor. It provides a basis for defining mutual expectations and responsibilities, and for formalizing a fruitful and satisfactory work organization.

The Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies provides a template that is suitable for most situations. Check with your program director to see if another document is available.

Objectives

Its purpose is to lay the groundwork for a long-term collaboration, and it generally includes the following content:

• name of the research supervisor and, if applicable, that of the co-supervisor or members of the supervisory committee
• subject and preliminary summary of the research project
• timeframe of milestones (schooling, declaration of research ethics and research activities)
• Master’s or Doctoral thesis requirements
• supervision and support arrangements.

An explicit conversation on these subjects helps to reduce any potential ambiguities.

Customization

Depending on needs, the plan may address other themes, such as:

• Involvement in scientific life
• Study financing and working conditions
• Material resources
• Intellectual property
• Confidentiality and partnership agreements
• Skills development activities required to achieve the student's training and professional development project.

In accordance with the Academic Regulations, the collaboration plan is drawn up jointly by the student and research supervisor, at a compulsory meeting held as soon as possible or, at the latest, before the end of the first year of study. Where applicable, the research co-supervisor also participates in drawing up the plan.

Annual revision

The collaboration plan must be reviewed annually by mutual agreement, in particular to assess progress.