NORFIAD

Network of Research for Innovation and Development

Overview
NORFIAD is a founder-led research network organized as a UK company limited by guarantee. We provide governance, record-keeping and IP stewardship so member-led projects can collaborate safely and document their work to a professional standard. Research takes place within projects; NORFIAD itself does not offer consumer products or clinical services.

What NORFIAD provides

• A documented framework for project initiation, reporting and closure.

• Internal IP handling: deposit, time-evidence and archival of materials.

• Role-based access to information, with traceable decisions and records.

• Clear routes to publication or spin-off where appropriate and lawful.

Governance

NORFIAD is governed by a Council of Senior Partners together with the Founder. Decisions are recorded with reasons in a formal register. Urgent actions are permitted where necessary (safety, legal, time-critical issues) and are reviewed promptly. The full governance detail is set out in the Constitution.

Membership

• Senior Partner

• Partner

• Junior Partner

• Collaborators – time-limited, project-bound roles (single/multi/partial); no voting rights.

Projects

Projects are created with a defined scope, team, safety statement and data plan. Two confidentiality classes are used:

Intellectual Property and Publication

IP deposited with NORFIAD remains the property of its Owner (individual or team). Upon deposit, NORFIAD receives a non-exclusive internal-use license to evaluate and research the IP within the organization. Any external use—licensing, sharing, publication with third parties—requires the Owner’s presence at the negotiation table and written consent. Publication should acknowledge NORFIAD and follow field norms; classified outputs require Council approval.

Records and evidence

Significant documents carry a document ID, version information and processing evidence (cryptographic fingerprint and trusted time evidence). Registers are maintained for documents, decisions, disputes and deposited IP. Methods are technology-neutral and may be updated while preserving continuity.

Contact

• General information: enquiries about the organization and process.

• Joining request: brief outline of your field, experience and interests.

Expected response time: 3–5 working days.