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Visitor Participation Agreements

Harvard’s research policies cover all individuals who perform work under the University’s auspices, including visitors.  Anyone who uses funds, facilities, equipment, materials, space or other resources provided by or through Harvard, conducts research under an agreement between Harvard and a third party (for example, with respect to the provision of research funds, materials, data and the like) or otherwise participates in an externally-sponsored program at Harvard should sign the Visitor Participation Agreement (or “Visitor PA”).  Once signed, the Visitor PA should be scanned and linked to the visitor’s personal record in GMAS.  If no such record exists (i.e., if the visitor will not receive an appointment with a Harvard ID number and card), you may wish to create one for the limited purpose of archiving the Visitor PA, so that it can be retrieved when needed.

Because visitors may be differently situated with respect to pre-existing obligations that may relate to their research, alternative forms of the Visitor PA, as described and made available for download below, have been designed to accommodate their various needs, depending on the type of organization, if any, from which they are visiting Harvard.  For more information, see the PA and VPA Guidance.

  • For visitors from companies or other for-profit organizations anywhere in the world, you may view and download the “HARVARD UNIVERSITY VISITOR PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT for visitors from for-profit organizations (U.S. and foreign)” by clicking here.
  • For visitors from foreign non-profit institutions OR for visitors who are not affiliated with any university, research institution, hospital, company or other organization, i.e., who are self-employed or unemployed, you may view and download the “HARVARD UNIVERSITY VISITOR PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT for visitors from foreign non-profit institutions and for unaffiliated individuals” by clicking here.
  • For visitors from U.S. non-profit and governmental institutions, except for medical centers affiliated with Harvard Medical School,* you may view and download the “HARVARD UNIVERSITY VISITOR PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT for visitors from U.S. non-profit and governmental institutions OTHER THAN the Harvard-affiliated medical centers” by clicking here.
  • For visitors from one of the medical centers affiliated with Harvard Medical School, you may view and download the "HARVARD UNIVERSITY VISITOR PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT for visitors from Harvard-Affiliated Medical Centers" by clicking here.

The VPAs no longer cross-reference the “Acknowledgement of Risk and Release for Non-Harvard Personnel", as its terms do not apply to all visiting researchers, however, visitors to some Harvard Laboratories may be required to complete the “Acknowledgement of Risk and Release of Claims” indicating that they have health insurance of their own and release Harvard from any claims in the event that they are injured while working in Harvard Laboratories where certain hazards (e.g. chemicals, biological agents, etc.) concerns are present.

For visitors from all other entities not covered by one of the above VPA, please contact Office of Technology Development atotd@harvard.edu or 617-495-3067 for assistance.