A sponsorship agreement is a written agreement between a sponsor (person, organization, or governmental entity other than MnSCU) and a college, university, and and/or the Office of the Chancellor and may include other parties, including the creator of the work. (Board Policy 3.26, Part 3, Subpart P). A sponsor is a person, organization, or governmental entity, other than MnSCU, that provides funding, equipment, or other support in order that a specified project may be carried out. (Board Policy 3.26, Part 3, Subpart ) Sponsorship agreements routinely take the form of college or university contracts with corporations to conduct research on behalf of the corporation at the college's or university's research facilities. They may also include agreements between the college or university and companies regarding internship and special project assignments for students.

Ownership of intellectual property rights in a work created under a sponsorship agreement is determined by the terms of the agreement. If the sponsorship agreement does not address on the issue of ownership of intellectual property rights, ownership is determined by applicable law. (Board Policy 3.26, Part 4, Subpart B.1)