IDEA Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The position of IDEA Administrator is currently vacant. The IDEA Administrator’s responsibilities are being covered by the Office of Research and OSP. ​

• What is the mission of IDEA?

  IDEA’s mission is to provide support for the protection and commercialization of innovations created by faculty, students, and staff at UNC.

• What is IDEA?

  Innovation Development and Enterprise Advancement (IDEA) is the process more traditionally known as “technology transfer.” Technology transfer is “the process of transferring scientific findings from one organization to another for the purpose of further development and commercialization” (Association of University Technology Managers, 2013).

  
  The phrase “technology transfer” focuses primarily on innovation in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines. Recently, many universities have become active in protecting and transferring intellectual property in nonscientific areas as well. The more inclusive phrase “Innovation Development” is used to capture the broad range of innovative ideas that can be protected and developed at UNC.

• What is UNC’s policy on intellectual property (IP)?

  UNC’s policy on intellectual property (IP) is delineated in Board Policy Manual, Section 2-3-411. Sections 2-3-411(1) and 2-3-411(2) describe policies related to works subject to copyright. Section 2-3-411(3) describes policies related to inventions subject to patent. All IP and IDEA procedures will adhere to Board Policy.

  
  Unless expressly noted, the Chief Academic Officer (CAO) delegates responsibilities assigned in Board Policy to the CAO to the IP Board, the Assistant Vice President for Research (AVPR), and/or the IDEA Office.

• Who does what?

  The procedures for supporting UNC innovators and inventors through the IP lifecycle require coordination of multiple offices and administrators (see IDEA Policies and Procedures). The AVPR, in coordination with the IP Board, is responsible for IP and innovation/tech transfer at UNC. The IDEA administrator within the Office of Research is the lead administrator on all IP/ tech transfer/innovation activities, and is individually responsible for many steps in the IP lifecycle. For activities that involve multiple offices, the IDEA administrator is the lead. See IDEA org chart.

• Who is the IDEA Administrator?

  The position of IDEA Administrator is currently vacant. The IDEA Administrator’s responsibilities are being covered by the Office of Research and OSP. Contact us:  orsp@unco.edu

• What is the IP Board?

  UNC’s IP, tech transfer, and commercialization activities will be overseen by a board, the IP Board, comprised of the CAO (Senior VP and Provost, chair), the Senior VP and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), the VP and Chief Legal Counsel, and the Chief Research Officer (AVPR). The responsibilities of the IP Board are to (a) review and recommend changes to IP policies to the Board of Trustees, (b) review and approve changes to IP procedures, and (c) to determine the interest of the University in innovations/inventions created by UNC personnel.

• What are the steps in the IP life cycle?

  The typical lifecycle for IP at UNC, illustrated in this flowchart, has three general phases: (a) Identifying new technologies; (b) Protecting technologies through patents and copyrights; and (c) Forming development and commercialization strategies such as marketing and licensing to existing private sector companies or creating new startup companies based on the technology.

• What are the procedures for identifying new innovations?

  The first step in the process is to formally disclose the innovation to the University. Contact the Office of Research (orsp@unco.edu) to set up a meeting. We will work with the innovator/ inventor to fill out a disclosure form, and help to determine if the innovation is ready for protection and/or commercialization. When innovations are not yet ready for protection and/or commercialization, the Office of Research can help the innovator/inventor find funding (external and/or internal) to further develop the innovation.

• What are the procedures for protecting innovations, technologies, and/or IP?

  If an innovation is ready for protection and/or commercialization, the IP Board will formally evaluate whether the University is interested in partnering with the innovator(s). If so, the University will negotiate the terms of the agreement, including equitable sharing of the costs and proceeds related to protection, development, and commercialization.

• What are the procedures for commercialization?

  When an innovation is ready for commercialization, IDEA will work with the innovator and the IP Board to develop commercialization strategies, negotiate licensing agreements, and receive and distribute royalties associated with the protected innovation.