Free resource
Collaboration agreement template
Most collaborations stall because budget, IP or capacity surface too late. This template puts those questions first, so both sides agree on the basics before anyone books a call. Copy it, fill it in together, and keep one agreed next step.
1. Parties
Who is collaborating, and who decides for each side.
- Party A (name, organisation, contact): ______________________
- Party B (name, organisation, contact): ______________________
- Decision-maker on each side: ______________________
2. Shared intent
One or two sentences on what you are trying to make happen together.
- What we are building, funding or creating: ______________________
- Why now: ______________________
- What success looks like: ______________________
3. Roles and contributions
What each side brings, in concrete terms.
- Party A contributes: ______________________
- Party B contributes: ______________________
- Who owns which deliverables: ______________________
4. Constraints
The conditions that must hold before work starts. Agree these first.
- Budget or payment terms: ______________________
- Capacity (hours per week): ______________________
- Timezone and availability: ______________________
- Tools, licences or certifications needed: ______________________
5. Intellectual property
Who owns what is made, and how it can be used.
- Ownership of new work: ______________________
- Use of each party's existing work: ______________________
- Credit and attribution: ______________________
6. Timeline and first step
One bounded next step, with a date.
- Agreed first step (e.g. kickoff, scope review): ______________________
- Start date: ______________________
- Check-in date: ______________________
- End date or review point: ______________________
7. Confidentiality
What stays private between the parties.
- Information treated as confidential: ______________________
- How long it stays confidential: ______________________
8. Changes and exit
How to change scope or end the collaboration fairly.
- How scope changes are agreed: ______________________
- Notice period to exit: ______________________
- What happens to shared work on exit: ______________________
9. Outcome
How you will know it worked. Record it at the check-in.
- 7-day outcome: ______________________
- 21-day outcome: ______________________
- Signatures and date: ______________________
How to use it
- Fill in sections 2 and 4 before meeting. If a constraint cannot be met, say so early.
- If something is missing but fixable, write down the gap, how to close it and a recheck date.
- Agree one first step only. Expand the scope after it is done.
- For paid work or IP transfers, have a lawyer review the final version. This template is not legal advice.
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