Research Compliance and Tech Transfer

When researchers have a discovery or invention that might have applications beyond the university, we can help evaluate its potential, explore intellectual property protection, and identify possible paths toward commercialization. You don’t need to know whether your discovery is patentable or commercially viable before contacting us. 

Ownership of inventions and the sharing of licensing revenue with inventors are governed by Montana Board of Regents Policy 401.2, Inventions and Patents. 

Talk with us before you publish, present, or post research that may include an invention. A public disclosure made before a patent application is filed can limit or eliminate patent rights. In the United States, inventors generally have one year after their own public disclosure to file, but most other countries offer no grace period, so disclosing first can mean losing foreign patent rights entirely. 

Public disclosures include journal articles, conference talks and posters, theses, preprints, and online posts. Reaching out before you submit gives us time to work with your timeline. 

Technology transfer helps move university discoveries into the hands of organizations that can develop them into products, services, and other practical applications. We work with researchers and potential partners to evaluate technologies, explore licensing opportunities, and consider commercialization strategies, including the possibility of forming a startup company.

Research collaborations often require agreements to protect confidential information or establish the terms for sharing materials and data. Our office can help with several common agreements: 

• Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) and Confidential Disclosure Agreements (CDAs): These agreements help protect confidential information shared with potential collaborators, companies, and other external partners. 
• Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs): These agreements establish the terms for sending or receiving research materials, including biological samples, reagents, and other research resources.
• Data Use Agreements (DUAs): These agreements set the terms for sharing or receiving research data, including datasets with sensitive or restricted information. 

If you’re unsure whether an agreement is needed, contact us before sharing confidential information or transferring materials or data. We can help determine the next appropriate steps. 

We connect research at UM to external resources and expertise, including potential industry partners. If you’re a UM researcher who’d like to explore an external partnership, or if your company is interested in licensing University of Montana technology or connecting with UM researchers, please contact us. We’re glad to talk through options and help you find the right people on campus.