Syracuse University’s Office of Technology Transfer provides comprehensive support for faculty, staff, and students seeking to innovate, protect intellectual property, and translate research into commercial impact. These resources guide innovators through invention disclosure, intellectual property management, licensing, sponsored research, and educational programs.
Submit an Invention
All faculty, staff, and students who create inventions are encouraged to disclose them to the Office of Technology Transfer. Submitting an invention allows the university to evaluate, protect, and commercialize your innovation. OTT staff assist with evaluating the invention’s novelty, commercial potential, and intellectual property (IP) strategy.
Learn more about submitting an invention.
STEM and Non-STEM Inventions
First-time faculty inventors receive guidance tailored to their discipline. STEM faculty are provided with resources for patenting, commercialization, and sponsored research, while non-STEM faculty receive advice for copyright, licensing, and other IP forms.
Basic Information
- STEM: Covers patents, licensing, invention disclosure, and commercialization.
- Non-STEM: Covers copyright, trademarks, and licensing processes.
Returning Faculty
Returning faculty can leverage Office of Technology Transfer resources to continue managing their intellectual property and pursue externally sponsored research. Guidance includes understanding university IP policies, navigating licensing agreements, and aligning research with funding opportunities.
Learn more about Faculty Innovator resources.
Graduate Students and Staff Innovators
Graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and staff who create inventions are encouraged to submit them to the Office of Technology Transfer. Resources include IP evaluation, commercialization support, and guidance on participation in sponsored research.
Find information for Graduate Students and Staff Innovators.
Intellectual Property and Sponsored Research
Faculty and innovators should understand IP ownership, licensing, and disclosure requirements when pursuing sponsored research. The Office of Technology Transfer provides guidance on protecting IP while engaging in collaborations with industry or federal sponsors.
Learn about IP and Sponsored Research.
Licensing and Royalty Income
The Office of Technology Transfer negotiates licenses for inventions with startups and established companies, providing flexible terms to maximize commercialization potential. Revenue from licensing is distributed to inventors and departments according to Syracuse University’s Royalty Income Distribution Policy.
Agreements and Legal Support
Innovators may engage in several agreements to protect intellectual property and facilitate research collaborations:
- Material Transfer Agreements (MTA): Govern sharing of materials between institutions or companies.
- Nondisclosure and Confidentiality Agreements (NDA/CDA): Protect sensitive research information during collaborations or discussions with external partners.
For Start-Ups
For some time now, universities have recognized that an equally effective form of technology transfer is to embed intellectual property into a start-up company (sometimes referred to as a spin-out company) focused on commercialization. This provides entrepreneurial opportunities for willing faculty and students, creates jobs in the region — particularly for management roles, and makes ongoing research and intellectual property refinements straightforward. The Office of Technology Transfer therefore encourages and supports Syracuse University spinout companies and invites entrepreneurs who would like to be a part of an Syracuse University spinout to contact us.
For Syracuse University innovators who plan to start a business to commercialize a technology using a patented technology in which the innovator himself/herself is an inventor, a note of caution: The Syracuse University Office of Technology Transfer is focused on your understanding of the varied aspects of the business proposition and commercialization plan versus that of the science. Perhaps the previous statement is surprising, but the science behind a patented (or patent pending) technology being considered for a licensing agreement has already been vetted by Office of Technology Transfer. Also, we recognize that our researchers are experts in their field of science.
Educational Resources
The Office of Technology Transfer provides training to equip innovators with knowledge on research ethics, IP protection, and commercialization strategies:
- Technology Transfer Educational Program: Includes CITI-based Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training and discipline-specific instruction.
Syracuse University’s Office of Technology Transfer serves as a central resource for innovators, providing guidance, tools, and support to ensure your discoveries reach their fullest potential while complying with University and federal policies.