INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER
Technology transfer, the process of transforming ideas into opportunities, is mission-aligned with ¸ÌéÙÖ±²¥â€™s commitment to excellence and distinction in the discovery, dissemination and application of knowledge.
¸ÌéÙÖ±²¥ is a proven ground for inventions that change the way we live. Inventions with origins in our various schools and colleges make the world a better place. But ¸ÌéÙÖ±²¥ investigators need help growing and advancing those discoveries to a final product or service—and that’s where the technology transfer process fits in.
Technology transfer, and the professionals who work in the field, are responsible for innovation management, corporate engagement, protecting and responsibly licensing inventions to companies, new venture creation and incubation, and economic development.
Technology transfer allows ¸ÌéÙÖ±²¥â€™s research ecosystem to utilize our inventions and innovations for public benefit. Technology transfer can benefit all involved parties. It moves products and services to the public arena to benefit society and serve the greater good. It allows for appropriate recognition and attribution of inventor(s) intellectual contributions. It supports economic growth and development. It supports ¸ÌéÙÖ±²¥ research and education and promotes a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship. It generates revenue which benefits both the inventor and the institution—and can be reinvested in faculty and student research.
¸ÌéÙÖ±²¥ has retained , a team of experienced invention strategists, technology transfer executives, and commercialization professionals, to support ¸ÌéÙÖ±²¥ inventors as they identify, document, and further innovation within the University. L2C works closely with VU inventors to enable them to move discoveries from the lab (or studio) to society. ¸ÌéÙÖ±²¥ benefits academically and financially by making more inventions and better-quality IP available to the life sciences, technology and manufacturing communities.
Students should familiarize themselves with which determines ownership of student-generated intellectual property (IP). Questions regarding the policy can be directed to the Vice Provost for Research. When the University has an ownership interest in the IP, many resources exist to help protect and commercialize that IP as described on this page, with royalty returns to the inventor as outlined in the IP Policy. In cases where students own the IP, students are responsible for any protection and commercialization strategy they wish to pursue, but resources exist at ¸ÌéÙÖ±²¥ to help and encourage student entrepreneurship, including the Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
If you are unsure whether the University might have an ownership interest in the IP, file an Invention Disclosure Form (see form below), which will allow for the proper assessment and determination of next steps. Please consult the IP Policy for additional information on when disclosure is required. Students should be aware that it may be important to keep your IP secret or protected by a non-disclosure agreement until a protection strategy is determined, as sharing your IP with third parties could jeopardize the ability to protect your IP.
The Vice Provost for Research and L2C principals meet regularly with faculty to discuss the tech transfer and commercialization process and how to enhance opportunities for our faculty and graduate students. Upcoming L2C Partners educational presentations and office hours will be posted in Campus Currents and can also be found to the right of this webpage. Email to set up an appointment. We’re excited to discuss how we can support our faculty innovators on campus.
If you have an invention, disclosure is key to a successful tech transfer process. Prompt disclosure is required per ¸ÌéÙÖ±²¥â€™s IP Policy, and is also required of innovations resulting from federal funding.
IP Assignment Form
Signing a University Intellectual Property Assignment is required in a number of cases and ensures the University maintains compliance with the Bayh-Dole Act. More information can be found below and on our FAQ sheets.
Bayh-Dole Act Compliance
Enacted on December 12, 1980, the Bayh-Dole Act (P.L. 96-517, Patent and Trademark Act Amendments of 1980) is a federal statute that created a uniform patent policy among the federal agencies that fund research, which enables institutions to own, patent and commercialize invention developed through federally funded research activities rather than obligating inventors to assign the inventions to the federal government.
As a condition of federal funding, the Bayh-Dole regulations obligate institutions to have in place written agreements with grant personnel (excluding clerical or nontechnical personnel) requiring them (1) to agree to disclose promptly in writing to personnel responsible for the administration of patent matters each invention made under the federal contract, (2) to assign to the institution the entire right, title and interest in and to each invention made under the federal contract and (3) to agree to execute all papers necessary to file patent applications on inventions and to establish the government's rights in the inventions.
The IP Assignment document facilitates the University’s compliance with its obligation to the federal government, as set forth in the Bayh-Dole regulations, to have written agreements in place that address each of the above elements.
The assignment document and FAQ explain why assignments are necessary and for whom. Questions may be submitted via email.
Awarding a patent is a multi-step process that can take up to eight years.
This can generally be summarized into five steps.
- File a provisional patent application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
- An application for a permanent patent is filed, either in the US or in the US plus select foreign countries.
- The patent application is published.
- Examination of patent application by USPTO and foreign patent offices.
- Respond to any objections or rejections made by the examiner.
After these steps, the patent decision is made. Learn more about the steps and general timeline to expect.