1. Foster strong institutions Strong, well-connected public institutions are essential in order to ensure continued, privileged access to world-class knowledge and skills. We share vested interests in sustaining this strength and connectivity. Responsible Partnership requires that Companies and PROs take steps to reinforce this strength. 2. Align interests Effective knowledge and skills transfer depends upon being able to align the partners' interests. Companies and PROs can only collaborate effectively when their researchers are empowered to work in this way and can spend sufficient time and effort to understand what each has to offer and each requires. 3. Treat collaboration strategically It is important to make a strategic decision about the part that collaborative R&D and knowledge transfer will play in meeting the PRO's or company's objectives. Explicit policies are required and steps have to be taken to ensure that these policies are communicated, understood and acted upon. The place to take these decisions is at the highest level of the organisation. 4. Organize for lasting relationships There is strong evidence that effective collaborative programmes happen within long-lasting relationships. The commitment to sustain and fund such programmes depends upon developing a general sense of trust and understanding that results will match expectations. Responsible Partners organize themselves in ways that make likely the emergence of these lasting relationships. 5. Provide the right professional skills Effective management of collaborative R&D and knowledge transfer requires high quality professional supporting skills. Responsible Partnership requires commitment to establish these resources and to train people to an appropriate level. 6. Establish clear intent When planning collaboration, the first priority is for the partners to explore and agree what they expect to accomplish. Responsible Partnership requires the early adoption of open processes that establish clear intent and eliminate hidden agendas and abuse of bargaining power. 7. Use standard practices and communicate regularly Adopting standard practices encourages the development of effective frameworks for long-term collaboration. The stumbling blocks in developing good collaborative research projects are widely recognised. The best way to avoid them is to work with others who have already discovered what works and why. This also frees up time to discuss the points that are most germane to the current collaboration. Responsible Partners share good practices and interact regularly, at a high enough level and as part of professional management development. 8. Achieve effective Intellectual Property Effective management of Intellectual Property (IP) is central to the knowledge transfer process, particularly since the emergence of new types of knowledge-based industry is straining the IP system. Responsible Partners protect their Intellectual Property in ways that facilitate value creation in a context of Open Innovation, and use (and contribute to improving) public IP systems in ways that encourage future investment in public and private research. 9. Provide relevant training Effective knowledge transfer requires competencies and skills in many fields beyond knowledge and IP management. For example, project management, entrepreneurship and business development skills are also important. Responsible Partners develop appropriate programmes and safe learning environments to learn the skills and common language appropriate for the world of open innovation. (These take many forms. At one end of the scale, the Framework Programme and schemes such as the Marie Curie programme provide young people with the opportunity to broaden their experiences. At the other end are role-playing exercises within university and business courses in which participants learn about creating and developing start-up companies.) 10. View innovation as a trans-disciplinary activity Innovation is not simply technological advance. Choosing the best business model or social structure is sometimes more important than being the first to discover or invent. Similarly, scientific skills must be combined with the humanities, economics, sociology and law. Responsible Partners recognise this trans-disciplinary nature of innovation and organise themselves accordingly.