The University of Oregon is home to world experts in fields ranging from green nanotechnology to education science. Inventors and developers across our campus have created innovative work that is ready to be put to use in research and in the marketplace. We invite investors and industry to work with us in mutually beneficial partnerships to bring UO innovations to the world.
Industry, Innovation, and Translation (IIT) can assist you with the complexities of partnering with a corporate sponsor. IIT works closely with Sponsored Projects Services to chart a path from proposal to results. Engaging with IIT can protect your idea before receiving funding and help you navigate your obligations during and after your project. Planning ahead can ensure that your goals with your research are aligned with institutional and personal priorities.
Sponsored research requires approval of the university researcher, their department head, and other interested parties at the university. Our Process Overview document provides insight into the university contracting process and terms frequently seen in corporate sponsored research.
A commercial license may be embedded as part of the research agreement, or may be desired as a continuation of sponsored research. The type of license negotiated will take into account the needs of the company and the stage of the project.
- Option and research use license: early stage projects with lower commitments that allow both parties to see where the research goes.
- Non-exclusive license: provides commercial access to a technology at lower fees than an exclusive license.
- Exclusive license: the company wants to be the only one that leverages the technology commercially.