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TechAdvance® Applicant Resources

Eligibility for TechAdvance®

The main focus of TechAdvance® is advancing Rutgers technologies toward commercialization. Since patents generally enhance the commercial value of such technologies, we require that the applicant be working with Innovation Ventures to pursue a patent application for the underlying invention. Note that for TechAdvance® applications, there must be a provisional patent application filed; for TechXpress applications, the invention disclosure must have received a positive initial assessment from ORC (DP1 assessment).

The TechAdvance® team will confirm your patent application status with the appropriate Licensing Manager and determine whether you are eligible to apply for TechAdvance® funding. If you are not sure about the patenting status of your invention, please consult with your Licensing Manager.

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Protecting Intellectual Property

In an effort to retain the ability to commercialize your technology, Rutgers needs to secure the ownership of as much intellectual property related to your technology as possible. Therefore, if you are awarded TechAdvance® funding, you are required to ensure that any and all consultants and/or contractors engaged by you or your associates, will automatically assign all their IP rights to Rutgers by signing a legally binding agreement prior to beginning their collaboration with you. This will include any intellectual property directly, or indirectly, related to the technology underlying your TechAdvance® project, that is created solely by them, or in collaboration with others, while doing work under the contract with your lab. The TechAdvance® team will be happy to assist you with the above required agreement.

Note that if your technology is already committed (via a license agreement or an option to license) to a current or prospective licensee, or if you have already been awarded funding from another source for the same work, then the technology is NOT eligible for TechAdvance® funding.

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Can Students Apply?

The primary applicant for a TechAdvance® award may only be a Rutgers Faculty or Staff member. For further information please email: techadvance-manager@research.rutgers.edu

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