Harvard’s research policies cover all individuals who perform work under the University’s auspices, including visitors. Thus, in addition to the Participation Agreement, there are several forms of Visitor Participation Agreements. For information on who should sign which form, see the PA and VPA Guidance. Once signed, the Visitor PA should be scanned and linked to the visitor’s personnel 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.
Click on the Visitor type that best describes your visitor for the appropriate form:
TYPES OF VISITORS
From For-Profit Organizations (U.S. and foreign):
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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.
From Foreign Non-Profit Institutions/Unaffiliated Individuals:
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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..
From U.S. Non-Profit and Governmental Institutions:
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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.
From Harvard-Affiliated Medical Centers:
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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.
From U.S. Government Agencies/Institutions:
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For visitors employed by the U.S. Government, you may view and download the “HARVARD UNIVERSITY VISITOR PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT for Visitors employed by the U.S. Government” by clicking here.
RELATED GUIDANCE
PA and VPA Guidance
Intellectual Property Policy
The University and its Schools also have adopted other policies concerning IP and the development and licensing of technology. These policies can be found on OTD’s website and on the Provost’s Office website.
Acknowledgement of Risk and Release of Claims
In addition to the VPA, non-Harvard personnel who visit Harvard laboratories where certain hazards (e.g. chemical, radioactive, biological agents or heavy machinery) may be present may also be required by the lab to complete the “Acknowledgement of Risk and Release of Claims” form. Not all visitors who sign a VPA are required to complete this form. Only visitors to labs where certain hazards are present who are NOT:
Completion of the form confirms that the visitor understands the nature of the risks and indicates that they have health insurance of their own and will release Harvard from any claims in the event they are injured as a result of working in Harvard laboratories.