FAQs

Tech Transfer and Innovation FAQs

What is Tech Transfer?

Technology transfer pertains to the authorized transfer of technology to external entities, overseen by the technology transfer office and facilitated by professionals specializing in licensing, business development, and intellectual property. These experts boast extensive proficiency in the advancement and commercialization of technologies within the domains of life sciences, physical sciences, and engineering.

What does researcher see in value to participate in the technology transfer Process?

Researchers are motivated by a variety of factors that are specific to everyone. Some of these reasons include the desire to make a positive impact on society, the pursuit of financial and recognition rewards, the need to secure additional funding for their lab or department, the attraction of research sponsors, the personal fulfillment derived from their work, the fulfillment of obligations related to research or employment, the creation of educational opportunities for students, and the facilitation of connections between students and future job opportunities.

How is technology transferred?

The transfer of technology through a license agreement represents a powerful opportunity for collaboration and innovation. It is a chance for established companies and new startups to come together to meet specific performance requirements and make financial contributions that will support further research and education. This partnership allows for sharing knowledge and resources, fostering an environment where new ideas can flourish and benefit society.

What is the Bayh-Dole Act?

The U.S. Bayh-Dole Act of 1980 empowers universities and non-profit institutions to claim ownership rights to discoveries from federally funded research, provided they fulfill certain obligations. The Act encourages interest in tech transfer activities by promoting efforts to protect and commercialize such discoveries and sharing resulting revenues with the inventors. It contributes to increased research, commercialization, educational opportunities, and economic development.

How do the BSU faculty and researchers work with BSU TTIO (Tech Transfer & Innovation OFFICE)?

We urge researchers to connect with the BSU Tech Transfer and Innovation office during their discovery process to ensure they are fully informed of the possibilities that can enhance the commercial potential of their research. The BSU staff is dedicated to supporting commercial partners with questions regarding patenting, marketability, funding sources, and new business startup considerations.

How long does the tech transfer process take place?

Protecting the technology and finding the right licensing partner may take months—or even years—to complete. The amount of time will depend on the development stage of the technology, the market for the technology, competing technologies, the amount of work needed to bring a new concept to market-ready status, and the resources and willingness of the licensees and the inventors.

Tech Transfer Process

What are the typical steps in the Technology Transfer Process?

The process of technology transfer is summarized in the steps:

  1. Research: Observations and experiments during research activities often lead to discoveries and inventions. An invention is any helpful process, machine, composition of matter, or any new or useful improvement.
  2. Pre-Disclosure: Contact BSU (Bowie State University) tech transfer personnel early to discuss your invention and receive guidance concerning the disclosure, evaluation, and protection processes described below.
  3. Invention Disclosure: The written notice of invention to the BSU Tech Transfer and Innovation Office that begins the formal technology transfer process. An invention disclosure remains confidential and should fully document your invention so that the options for commercialization can be evaluated and pursued. Ideally, it should be submitted before any disclosure of your technology outside the BSU community.
  4. Assessment: The period in which you and your BSU representative review the invention disclosure, conduct patent searches (if applicable), and analyze the market and competitive landscape to determine the invention's commercialization potential. The evaluation process, which may lead to a broadening or refinement of the invention, will guide our strategy to focus on licensing to an existing company or creating a new business startup.
  5. Protection: The process in which protection for an invention is pursued to encourage third-party interest in commercialization. Patent protection, a standard legal protection method, begins with filing a patent application with the U.S. Patent Office and, when appropriate, foreign patent offices. Protection: If a patent application has been filed, it will require several years and many thousands of dollars to obtain issued U.S. and foreign patents.
  6. Marketing: With your active involvement, BSU staff will identify candidate companies with the expertise, resources, and business networks to bring the technology to market. This may involve partnering with an existing company or forming a startup. Your active involvement can dramatically shorten this process.
  7. From a Startup: If creating a new business startup has been chosen as the optimal commercialization path, the optimal commercialization path, BSU Tech transfer Director of New Ventures will assist in planning, creating, and funding the startup.
  8. Existing Business Relationship: If an appropriate and interested existing business is identified as a potential licensee, Yale Ventures licensing specialists identify mutual interests, goals, and plans to fully commercialize this technology through a license agreement.
  9. Licensing: A license agreement is a contract between BSU and a third party in which BSU's rights to technology are licensed (without relinquishing ownership) for financial and other benefits. A license agreement is used with a new startup business and an established company. An option agreement is sometimes used to enable a third party to evaluate the technology for a limited time before licensing.
  10. Commercialization: The licensee company continues to advance the technology and makes other business investments to develop the product or service. This step may entail further development, regulatory approvals, sales and marketing, support, training, and other activities.
  11. Revenue: Set portions of the revenues received by BSU from licensees are distributed to the inventors, BSU, and other institutions (in the case of jointly owned inventions) to fund additional research and education and to encourage further participation in the tech transfer process.