Inventor Resource Library
Inventor Resource Library
Practical guidance for protecting and commercializing faculty inventions
Partners toward impact
Our team of experts guides Virginia Tech innovators through the process of translating research discoveries and inventions to the marketplace. We desire above all else to see your great work reach the public. The earlier you engage and develop a relationship with us, the greater value we can provide you.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
You are encouraged to submit an invention disclosure for all inventions and developments that you feel may solve a significant problem and/or have significant value. If you are in doubt, contact LICENSE to discuss the invention.
Submitting an Invention Disclosure Form initiates the evaluation and protection process that can lead to commercialization of your technology. If government funds were used for your research, you are required to file a prompt disclosure, which will be reported to the sponsoring agency. Similar requirements may exist for other sponsored projects.
You should complete an invention disclosure whenever you feel you have discovered something unique with possible commercial value. Ideally you will submit an invention disclosure at least three months before presenting the discovery through publications, poster sessions, conferences, press releases, or other communication. Once publicly disclosed (i.e., published or presented in some form), an invention may have restricted or minimal potential for patent protection outside the United States. Differences exist between the U.S. and other countries on the impact of early publication on a potential patent. Be sure to inform LICENSE of any imminent or prior presentation, lecture, poster, abstract, website description, research proposal, dissertation/master’s thesis, publication, or other public presentation of the invention.
The process of protecting technology and finding the right licensing partner typically takes years to complete. Sometimes under the right circumstances, especially when there is an immediate interest in an invention disclosure, the process of protection and licensing can be accomplished in a matter of months or even weeks.
- Contact LICENSE when you believe you have created or discovered something unique with potential commercial value.
- Complete and submit the confidential invention disclosure through our Inventor Portal before publicly disclosing your technology or submitting a manuscript for review and publication.
- Contact LICENSE before holding any discussions with people outside the Virginia Tech community.
- Respond to LICENSE and outside patent counsel requests if we file a patent application on your invention.
- Keep LICENSE informed of upcoming publications or interactions with companies related to your intellectual property.
General guidance on ownership is discussed in the university’s IP policy, Virginia Tech’s Policy on Intellectual Property, Policy No. 13000.
Partnership highlights
Monuments across Appalachian Virginia Program
“The support of Foundation Relations has been critical to our project's success. Tracy Krauchun's insights into proposal preparation and project design helped us imagine the possibilities of our work. With her guidance we transformed our project's commitment to social justice into a multi-layered, community-based endeavor that reflects the Mellon Foundation's commitments.”
Katrina Powell, professor of rhetoric and writing in the Department of English, founding director of the Center for Refugee, Migrant, and Displacement Studies
Sloan Foundation and Genentech Foundation Fund
“From my perspective as a faculty member, the Foundation Relations team has opened new doors to explore possibilities for advancing my research and educational agendas. The staff is highly knowledgeable, collaborative, persistent, and their support has been very fruitful in terms of securing new funding sources for my academic work I would have never considered.”
Wayne Scales, J. Byron Maupin Professor of Engineering, Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Getting started
Identify potential partners
- Foundation Directory
A comprehensive database and powerful search tools uncovering information on all 242,000 U.S. Foundations. - Funding Institutional
Funding Institutional is a searchable database of funding organizations, funding opportunities and awarded grants, including extensive coverage of governmental and private sources. It is available to anyone on the Virginia Tech network. - Inside Philanthropy
Whether you’re new to philanthropy or looking to deepen your understanding of the world of giving, Inside Philanthropy provides resources to help.
- Philanthropy News Digest
A daily news service of philanthropy-related articles and features culled from print and electronic media outlets nationwide.
Find funding
- Early Childhood STEM Education Programs
Glenn W. Bailey Foundation
Grants will be awarded to support innovative early childhood STEM education programs in Florida, New York, Connecticut, or Washington, D.C.
- Research to Advance
Racial Equality
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Funding from Evidence for Action is focused on studies about upstream causes of health inequities, such as the systems, structures, laws, policies, norms, and practices that determine the distribution of resources and opportunities, which in turn influence individuals' options and behaviors.
Write a proposal
- Foundation Relations Faculty Consultation Form
A resource to help Foundation Relations better understand your work and goals. This document will guide the team as they identify areas of funding alignment with philanthropic foundations.
- Start Smart Proposal Worksheet
A faculty resource designed by Foundation Relations to guide corporate and foundation proposals. - Virginia Tech Faculty Activity Support Team
(VT-FAST)
Foundation Relations is a member of a virtual cohort of faculty and staff across campus who support faculty in all aspects of proposal development.
- Candid Trainings
Candid provides training and tools on foundations and grantseeking, helping faculty craft competitive proposals and connect with aligned funders.
-
Tech Transfer Boot Camp
Learn about the basics of technology transfer in this asynchronous workshop series. Topics include the invention disclosure process, inventorship vs. authorship, patenting 101, technology marketing, and licensing. Participants who complete all course sessions will receive a digital certificate.
Additional Resources
Review Virginia Tech policies
- Intellectual Property Policy 13000
Official university policy outlining ownership, disclosure, and commercialization of intellectual property created at Virginia Tech. - Conflict of Interest Policy 13010
University policy defining financial conflicts of interest and the requirements for disclosure, review, and management. - Conflict of Interest Website
Central resource with guidance, disclosure procedures, training information, and compliance tools related to conflicts of interest.
Learn more about IP & tech transfer
- Bayh-Dole Act
Overview of the federal law that allows universities and nonprofits to retain ownership of inventions developed with federal funding. - Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM)
Professional organization offering resources, policy updates, and best practices in academic technology transfer. - Virginia Tech Patent & Trademark Resource Center
Research guide providing access to patent and trademark databases, tools, and expert assistance. - Patent Basics
Introductory guide from the USPTO explaining what patents are, how they work, and how to apply. - Copyright Basics
FAQ resource outlining what copyright protects, how to register works, and key legal considerations. - Types of Intellectual Property
Global overview of different forms of IP — patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets — and what they protect.
Find existing patents
- USPTO Patent Public Search
The USPTO’s official search platform for accessing and reviewing published U.S. patent applications and issued patents.
- Dimensions
An integrated research database that connects patents with scholarly publications, grants, and other research outputs for discovery and analysis.
- The Lens
A free, global patent and scholarly search tool for exploring patent filings, prior art, and innovation trends worldwide.
Quick Links
- Contact our Team
- Disclose an Invention
- Search our Technologies
- Virginia Tech IP Policy
- FAQs
- Tech Transfer Boot Camp
- Additional Resources