When to Contact the UIRF
- If you are unsure if you should submit an invention disclosure form.
- Prior to any public disclosure of your technology, if you have not disclosed already.
- If you have questions regarding the submission of an invention disclosure.
- If you have developed an invention in collaboration with another Institution, or as part of Sponsored Research or Joint-Collaboration project.
- If you are in need of a CDA to discuss UI IP or a disclosed invention with external partners.
- If you have questions about technology commercialization or the post-disclosure submission process.
- If you have questions regarding the patenting process.
Who else can help you?
- For questions related to grants, funding, sponsored research or collaboration agreements, non-monetary material transfer agreements (MTAs), and CDAs that do no involve University IP, please contact the Division of Sponsored Programs (DSP).
- For questions related to start-up formation, SBIR/STTR funding, incubation space and business development please contact the UI Ventures team.
- For prototyping, industrial engineering, machining and 3D printing services please contact Protostudios.
Other Resources for Innovators
The Office of the Vice President for Research (VPR's Office) offers a broad variety of activities and services that support the advancement of research, scholarship, and creative activity on our campus. Their website is a great place to start when looking for information on funding, professional development, compliance, core facilities, or if you are a new investigator.
The UI Research and Development Office (RDO) offers one-stop “concierge” services to connect researchers and scholars with research administrators and other resources; accelerate discovery and innovation by supporting collaboration, creation, and proposal development; and minimize the administrative burden of research on faculty and staff.
MADE is a manufacturing and e-commerce initiative by the University of Iowa. Products are developed by Faculty and Staff, prototyped and manufactured locally, then sold directly through a web-based platform. A multi-disciplinary student operations team assists with the development, manufacturing, pricing, marketing, sales, quality and regulatory affairs of all products. Products listed on the MADE site are also available for licensing through the UIRF.
The University of Iowa Research Park leases building sites and space to growing technology companies that require sustained research relationships with the UI. The Research Park is home to a world class business incubator program that has nurtured nearly 100 UI spinouts and other new ventures since its start in 1984.
The UI Innovators Workshop, an NSF I-Corps Program, is a shortened three-week version of Venture School designed to provide University of Iowa faculty, staff, and students with the opportunity to develop marketable ideas and accelerate the startup process.