This step-by-step guide is the "who, what, when, why, and how" for commercializing discoveries and innovations with the Polsky Center.
Polsky technology commercialization
Submitting an Invention Disclosure is the First Step
The Polsky Center protects, manages, and supports the commercialization of inventions generated through research at the University of Chicago, UChicago Medicine, the Marine Biological Laboratory, and the Toyota Technological Institute*. The Polsky Center evaluates the best route to maximize the impact of University research. In addition, federal grants and other research sponsors typically require that inventions made using those funds be disclosed to the University and reported to the funding source.
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If you are not a researcher, postdoctoral fellow, resident, student, or staff member in one of these organizations, please contact us before submitting an invention disclosure to determine if it is appropriate for you to do so.
It is very important for you to talk to the Polsky Center before making your discovery or idea public (e.g., through a presentation or publication, etc.). If your invention has been previously made public, you may lose the right to patent the IP.
Get Started
Disclose Your Invention
Submission of the invention disclosure ensures that the Polsky Center receives all the required and relevant information in order to evaluate your disclosure for intellectual property protection and commercial potential.
Questions?
Contact the Polsky Center team with any general inquiries at: polskylicensing@uchicago.edu.
Problems with the Inventor Portal?
If you are unable to access the Inventor Portal, please contact inventions@uchicago.edu.
How to Disclose Your Invention
1. Access The Inventor Portal
Login to the using your CNET ID. Enter or confirm all of your contact information in the ‘Edit Contact Info’ section.
2. Submit your Invention Disclosure
Make sure that you include any relevant supporting documents, such as any draft manuscripts, slide decks, etc. with your disclosure. Disclose early and often.
3. Evaluation And Next Steps
Once we have received your disclosure, a member of the Polsky Center team will be assigned to your invention and will reach out to you for further discussion.
Tech Commercialization 101
When should I contact your office?
In general, as soon as you think you may have an innovative idea or invention, at whatever stage, please contact a member of the Polsky Science and Technology Team. A member of the team will work with you to determine next steps. In those cases when we determine that it is appropriate to file a patent application, the more advance notice we have about upcoming publications and presentations, the smoother the process, and the lower the chance of losing the ability to secure a patent. To start the process, contact us, and/or submit an invention through our online portal.
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