Disclose Your Invention

Ready to Get Started?

The Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation manages the intellectual property portfolio for all University of Chicago inventions, acting as the official university technology transfer office (TTO). 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. For such inventions, completing an invention disclosure form is the first step to engaging with the Polsky Center in the commercialization process.

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.).

NOTE: 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.

Download Invention Disclosure Form

Our Process

Certain discoveries, inventions, and materials are best disseminated through intellectual property protection and commercial partnerships. 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.

Download the Invention Disclosure Form: Get started by downloading the Invention Disclosure Form (Word document) from our website.
Complete the Disclosure Form: Submission of this form 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. Make sure that you include any relevant supporting documents, such as any draft manuscripts, slide decks, etc. with your disclosure. Disclose early and often.
Submit the Disclosure Form: Print and complete the disclosure form, obtain the appropriate signatures, then scan and send the signed disclosure to us via email.
Evaluation and Next Steps: After 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.

Questions?
Contact the Polsky Center team with any general inquiries at polskylicensing@uchicago.edu.

Ready to Submit?
Send your completed disclosure form to inventions@uchicago.edu.