You will be pleased to know that we have updated the process for UoP’s own 2-way NDAs so that they can be completed more quickly. The new process will enable you to set up a 2-way NDA yourself in accordance with the instructions on the RIS intranet which provides all the information you need to complete the process and get it signed.

Before you go out and share the secrets of your research or innovation activity, have a think about whether you need a confidentiality agreement to protect your work and the University.  A confidentiality agreement, also known as a non-disclosure agreement (NDA), is a legally binding contract between two or more parties that outlines the terms and conditions for keeping certain information confidential and preventing its unauthorised disclosure to third parties. Without an NDA, you are taking the risk that others could use your ideas or information without your permission. Overall, an NDA provides legal protection and peace of mind when sharing sensitive and confidential information with others, helping to safeguard your interests and ideas. 

NDAs can be “mutual” – meaning both parties are disclosing information,  or “one-way” – meaning only one party is disclosing information. We always recommend our academic colleagues use a mutual NDA, also known as  2-way NDA, wherever possible to better cover themselves.

All NDAs have to be signed by one of the University’s authorised signatories in RIS. If you are asked by an external funder or collaborator to sign their NDA, you should always encourage them to use UoP’s own NDA template first.  The advantage of using our own template is that it can be signed off very quickly.  However, if they insist on using theirs, you will need to forward their NDA to the Contracts Team riscontracts@port.ac.uk for review.  

Find out more about the new process and download the 2-way NDA template