Office of Technology Transfer

Office of Technology Transfer
950 Irving Avenue
301 Dineen Hall
Syracuse, NY 13244-6070
315-443-5196

What is the Office of Technology Transfer?

The Office of Technology Transfer (OTT) at Syracuse University helps faculty, students, and staff transform discoveries, inventions, and innovations into tangible products, services, or practices that benefit society. OTT supports the protection of intellectual property, evaluates commercial potential, and works to connect innovations with companies, investors, and entrepreneurs who can bring them to market. The office also ensures the University complies with federal regulations, such as the Bayh-Dole Act, when inventions arise from federally funded research.

Services and Support

• Invention Disclosure and Evaluation
  OTT provides inventors with a process to formally disclose their innovations. Staff evaluate novelty, patentability, and market potential to determine next steps.
• Intellectual Property Protection
  The office manages patent filings, copyrights, and trademarks, working with outside legal counsel when needed to secure intellectual property rights.
• Licensing and Commercialization
  OTT negotiates licenses with companies to move University technologies into real-world applications. When appropriate, it supports startup formation led by inventors.
• Industry and Collaboration Agreements
  The office prepares and reviews nondisclosure agreements, confidentiality agreements, and material transfer agreements, ensuring collaborations protect both the University and inventors.
• Support for Innovators
  OTT assists first-time inventors and innovators across all disciplines, helping them understand the invention disclosure process, intellectual property policies, and pathways for commercialization.
• Technology Portfolio Management
  OTT maintains a portfolio of innovations developed at Syracuse University that are available for licensing and partnership opportunities.

Responsibilities of OTT

• Protecting University interests while ensuring inventors are properly credited and rewarded.
• Evaluating inventions for novelty, feasibility, and market opportunity.
• Ensuring compliance with federal, sponsor, and University policies governing inventions.
• Negotiating agreements that balance commercial opportunities with academic freedom and publication rights.
• Supporting faculty, staff, and student entrepreneurs through education, resources, and business guidance.
• Serving as a bridge between the University research community and industry partners.

How to Get Started

Researchers should contact the Office of Technology Transfer as soon as they believe they may have created something patentable or commercially valuable. Early engagement helps protect intellectual property and ensures public disclosures, such as conference presentations or journal publications, do not limit patenting options.

When reaching out, be prepared to share:

• A description of the innovation, including how it differs from existing solutions.
• Supporting data, prototypes, or documentation.
• Information about any past or upcoming publications or disclosures.
• Names and contributions of all inventors.

The typical process includes submitting an invention disclosure, evaluation by OTT, protection of intellectual property (if appropriate), and exploration of licensing or commercialization pathways.

Contact Information

Office of Technology Transfer
301 Dineen Hall
Phone: 315-443-5196