For Inventors

• Submitting an Invention Disclosure

  Submitting an invention disclosure is the first step in assessing intellectual property protection options and market potential. Please contact a Business Development & License Manager if you have questions about the invention disclosure form or the process.

  When to Submit

  A disclosure form is confidential and used for internal assessment. The invention disclosure form is not a patent application. Submit an Invention Disclosure if:

  • A publication or presentation is planned. Once the technology is published or presented, it is considered publicly disclosed. The invention disclosure is confidential and not considered a public disclosure.
  • Research resulted in new solution to a problem and/or has potential market applications.
  • Federally funded or privately funded research may have resulted in intellectual property. A funding source may require disclosing research that may have intellectual property. Our office is responsible for reporting your disclosed research to the funding agency.
  • Start-up company, entrepreneurship protecting intellectual property is an important step for businesses.

  How to Submit

  The invention disclosure will be completed and submitted through the Inventor’s Portal. There are three types of disclosures:

  • Copyright Disclosure
  • Horticulture Variety Reporting Form
  • Invention Reporting Form
  • Plant Variety Reporting Form

  Select the appropriate form and complete the form. Please contact Business Development & License Manager if you have any questions regarding your disclosure.

• Request an Agreement

  NOTE: This section is coming soon.

Commercialization Process

Advancing innovation through research, partnerships, and purpose.

The NDSU Research Foundation helps bring university discoveries to life—connecting researchers with industry partners, supporting entrepreneurship, and fostering collaboration that drives real-world solutions. Through these efforts, we advance NDSU’s land-grant mission of innovation, education, and public service.