Patents data at a glance June 2026
We celebrated our nation’s 250th birthday at the Great American State Fair on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Director John A. Squires spent time at our exhibit and thanks all who visited. There is still time to come see us and learn about American innovation. pic.twitter.com/yNoVsAo5Ua
— USPTO (@uspto) July 6, 2026
Many universities support patent filing for students and faculty through their Technology Transfer Offices or Offices of Technology Commercialization. This often includes covering or reimbursing patent costs, especially if the university owns or co-owns the IP. Some also offer dedicated “gap,” “proof-of-concept,” or “innovation” funds.
- University of Michigan — Innovation Partnerships
- University of Minnesota — Early Innovation Fund: Competitive grants up to $10K for early-stage innovations (open to faculty, postdocs, graduate students, and staff).
- University of Rochester — Technology Development Fund: Supports researchers translating inventions toward commercial opportunities, including patent-related activities.
- University of Notre Dame — Berthiaume Institute Technology Development Fund: Awards for precision health and related innovations.
- University of Utah — Ascender Grant program: Substantial funding to bridge research discoveries toward market readiness (including IP protection).
- Boston University — Technology Development office supports the full process from idea to patent filing.
Note: Support is common at major research universities with active TTOs (e.g., University of California system, MIT, Stanford). Always check the specific TTO or IP policy for eligibility.
2026 National Patent Application Drafting Competition (Results)
