Recurring intellectual property rights (IPR) issues observed across multiple EU-funded projects have highlighted the need for clear, practical guidance. Horizon Europe places strong emphasis on Open Science and responsible exploitation of results, requiring beneficiaries
to balance transparency with protection of intellectual assets. This dual obligation often creates challenges in collaborative environments, where partners must reconcile diverse institutional policies and approaches, national and EU regulations, and varying processes regarding ownership, access rights, and dissemination.

These guidelines respond to those challenges by providing a structured reference for project
partners and all stakeholders involved in research management. They build on the provisions of
the Horizon Europe Programme, the Annotated Grant Agreement, and European Commission factsheets on IPR, complemented by insights
from practice. The aim is not to offer exhaustive legal advice, but to present actionable best practices for managing IP throughout the research lifecycle, covering issues such as background identification, joint ownership, access rights, licensing, and open access obligations.

By fostering a common understanding of key concepts and obligations, these guidelines help prevent misunderstandings, reduce risks, and ensure compliance with Horizon Europe principles of fairness, transparency, and impact maximization. Ultimately, they support the creation of an environment where innovation can thrive, results can be disseminated responsibly, and legitimate interests of all partners are safeguarded.