When industry and researchers collaborate, the potential for breakthrough innovation is immense. But anyone who has navigated a university contracting process knows it can also be complex, especially when the work doesn’t fit neatly into standard agreements.

That’s where Research Contracting Group@UC (RCG@UC) comes in. Formerly known as UCRI, this nonprofit contracting group affiliated with the UC Office of Research provides a nimble, specialized pathway for forming research partnerships. Its mission is simple: remove contracting barriers so researchers and industry can focus on the work that matters.

A Complement to Traditional Pathways

UC’s Sponsored Research Services (SRS) team expertly manages traditional research contracts, ensuring they align with the university’s policies and federal regulations. But some collaborations require more flexibility, whether because of unconventional payment structures, international partners, or highly specialized agreement terms.

In those cases, RCG@UC complements SRS by providing:

• Expedited solutions for non-traditional agreements;
• Specialized handling for contracts outside standard policies;
• Agility in working with unique partnership models.

This dual-path approach means researchers can rely on UC to support both the standard and the exceptional.

“The RCG@UC team works efficiently on my non-federal and non-standard contracts and in turn, my team is able to complete industry-sponsored projects and deliver,” said Sam Anand, UC Professor and Director of the Digital Futures Smart Manufacturing Lab.

While the name has changed, the commitment remains: RCG@UC exists to ensure research partnerships thrive, even when traditional pathways aren’t the best fit. The rebrand underscores the group’s singular focus on streamlining research contracts, helping UC researchers and industry partners work together efficiently and effectively.

Learn more and connect with RCG@UC at www.ucrcg.com.