AMES, Iowa. (07/08/24)— Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc. (ISURF) has tied for the ranking of 42 on the “Top 100 U.S. Universities Granted Utility Patents in 2023,” a list published by the National Academy of Inventors (NAI). The ranking is an improvement of 12 placings from 2022, and places ISU 26th among public institutions. Published annually, this ranking serves to highlight and celebrate U.S. universities that play a large role in advancing innovation and invention in the United States.
The ISURF patent portfolio spans all research domains across campus. “We are proud to see the patented innovations from the hard work and dedication of the ISU research enterpise recognized at the national level,” Patrick Klepcyk, Director of the Office of Innovation Commercialization (OIC) and President of ISURF.
“As we look at the current and future state of innovation in our nation, we need to ensure that the U.S. is remaining competitive in the international innovation ecosystem,” said Paul R. Sanberg, FNAI, President of the NAI. “Protecting intellectual property is a key component to this, and the Top 100 U.S. Universities list allows us to recognize and celebrate universities and their faculty, staff, and students who are not only innovating at high levels, but taking the additional step of protecting their IP through patenting.”
NAI has published rankings since 2013, starting with the Top 100 Worldwide Universities list. Last year, The Top 100 U.S. Universities ranking was introduced to serve as a complement to the Top 100 Worldwide Universities list and provide a more focused view of the national innovation landscape and the contributions made by U.S. academic institutions. This year, NAI launched the Top 60 Worldwide Non-profit Research Institutes and Government Agencies ranking, highlighting the role non-profit research institutions and government agencies play in advancing innovation around the world and driving the global economy. Together, these rankings aim to provide a comprehensive view of intellectual property protection in the innovation ecosystem.
NAI’s Top 100 U.S. Universities Granted U.S. Utility Patents list is created using calendar year data provided by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Top 100 placement includes all named assignees listed on the patent. See the full Top 100 U.S. Universities rankings here.
ISURF is a non-profit foundation that was established in 1938 to own and manage the collection of intellectual property that arises from the research enterprise at ISU and the Ames National Lab. ISU’s OIC, comprised of ISURF and the Office of Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer, evaluates and develops intellectual property strategies for technology emerging from the research and executes partnerships for their commercial development with companies.
About the Top 100 U.S. Universities Granted Utility Patents in 2023
The information provided in this list is based on data obtained from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. For this report, a university is defined as an institution that has undergraduate degrees. Patents include only utility patents granted during the 2023 calendar year. All assignees are credited for patents when listed. The number of patents granted does not necessarily indicate the value of a university’s technology, the effectiveness of its research, or whether its patents will be successfully licensed and/or brought to market. This is a dynamic list of worldwide institution patents. Some universities may record patents under different, yet similar names or combine their patents under one foundation or trustee name. If you have questions please contact: info@academyofinventors.org
About the National Academy of Inventors
The National Academy of Inventors is a member organization comprising U.S. and international universities and governmental and non-profit research institutes, with over 4,600 individual inventor members and Fellows spanning more than 260 institutions worldwide. It was founded in 2010 to recognize and encourage inventors with patents issued from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), enhance the visibility of academic technology and innovation, encourage the disclosure of intellectual property, educate, and mentor innovative students, and translate the inventions of its members to benefit society. The NAI has a close partnership with the USPTO that is reflected in their joint mission to expand access to underrepresented individuals and institutions participating in the invention and innovation ecosystem. NAI is one of three honorific organizations, along with the National Medals Foundation and National Inventors Hall of Fame, working closely with the USPTO on many discovery and innovation support initiatives. The NAI publishes the multidisciplinary journal, Technology and Innovation. www.academyofinventors.org