What is technology transfer?

The term technology transfer refers to the interaction between universities and the private sector to bring innovative solutions or new work to the public.  Technology transfer typically involves the commercialization of intellectual property (patents or copyrights) that has been developed by faculty, staff or students with university resources or as a part of employment responsibilities.

Why transfer technology?

The short answer is that increasingly the public is demanding that the results of academic inquiry and discovery be applied in society in the form of new products and services.

Tech transfer offers university employees and students the opportunity

1. to engage in new dimensions of research through industry collaboration
2. to participate in the economic vitality of the region or the nation
3. to share in royalty income
4. to give entrepreneurial-minded students a boost in future careers.

 How does technology transfer occur?

• Licenses
  
  A device or process is licensed to industry for further development and eventual marketing and distribution; that is, a company receives the rights, through written agreement, to commercialize an early-stage technology.  Normally, company resources and expertise are required to make something marketable, and a royalty is returned to the university.
  
  A copyrighted work, such as a video-based work, software, or curricular materials, is licensed to a publisher or vendor.  Occasionally, the product is essentially ready for the marketplace, however, the licensee's expertise in packaging and marketing are called for.

• Collaborative activities
  
  A corporate research contract facilitates joint investigative or creative activities with a company.  An agreement is custom-designed in advance to determine a common understanding as to goals, rights and responsibilities.
  
  Testing of a company technology involves a center, university equipment/facilities, or expertise.   As with corporate research, contracts are drawn to specifics.

• New businesses and synergies
  
  A start-up company can be built around a robust technology when aggressive development and marketing are best accomplished through that means.  Terms and relationships are spelled out in a licensing agreement.
  
  Shared needs for equipment or complementary research skills among different departments on campus (sometimes previously unknown) often result from private sector involvement.

Whom to call?

Companies wishing to license Ball State technologies or collaborate in projects may contact the campus representative for technology transfer:

Kristi Koriath
Information Services Manager
Office of Academic Research & Sponsored Programs
Ball State University
2000 University Avenue (mailing address)
2100 Riverside Avene (street address)
Muncie, IN 47306
765.285.5003
765.285.1624 fax
kkoriath@bsu.edu

Ball State personnel wishing to pursue intellectual property development and technology transfer opportunities can also contact Kristi at the above-mentioned address/phone/email. Access links on this page for related policies, procedures, and forms.