Frequently Asked Questions

Pre-Disclosure and Disclosure

What is the difference between pre-disclosure and disclosure?

Pre-Disclosure results in an informal assessment and discussion of your invention's potential.
Disclosure launches the formal tech transfer process.

Why should I consider submitting a pre-disclosure?

A pre-disclosure helps you gather and organize the information we need to evaluate your invention.

What do I need to complete and submit the form?

See our instructions on pre-disclosure/disclosure forms for complete information and links to the necessary downloads.

 

Marketing

What resources can help me assess my invention's commercial potential?

1. Visit the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) website's patent search database and conduct a search for "prior art," inventions that are similar to yours. Note that a "Help" button can be found in the upper right corner of the page.

2. Find IP information and strategies by visiting the free, online IP Handbook of Best Practices. The handbook's four main sections are shown in the horizontal navigation bar near the top of the page.

3. Read the OTT-recommended book Patent It Yourself.

4. Visit UVM's Vermont Patent and Trademark Depository Library in the Bailey-Howe Library documents collection, or contact UVM government document librarian Bill Gill (656-2588).

What factors enable an invention to succeed?

Consider your invention in light of these success factors:

1. Your proposal is based on sound scientific/technical principles.

2. You have realistic technical objectives, project timelines and milestones, and projections for revenues and jobs creation to be achieved through commercialization.

3. You can identify one or more specific, targetable markets for the invention.

4. Your technology offers one or more significant advantages over current technology or methods, or it serves significant unmet needs. Existing products/technologies do not serve the same outcome.

5. The technology is unique or innovative -- more than a modification of technologies already on the market.

6. The technology has a high probability of being licensed or obtaining the next level of funding.

7. You can provide sufficient resources in terms of qualified personnel, facilities and equipment to complete the project and develop a budget consistent with the tasks and objectives.

8. A licensee would not require additional licenses from other entities in order to commercialize the invention.

How can I help market the invention?

We encourage you to be an active participant in the marketing process. Amond the ways you can facilitate the process:

1. Provide OTT with disclosures that clearly indicate the invention's bottom-line advantages.

2. Identify prospective licensees (companies and individuals).

3. Attend marketing meetings with prospects and OTT staff.

4. Let us know promptly of any change in the invention's status.

 

Documents & Agreements

Who signs licenses, material transfer agreements, and confidentiality agreements for UVM?

These documents are signed by UVM's Associate Vice President for Research Administration..

How do I get a confidentiality agreement or material transfer agreement?

VIsit the Tech Transfer Process Forms page of this website.

How is confidentiality ensured?

All OTT staff, peer reviewers, and advisory board members are required to sign and adhere to a non-disclosure agreement that indicates that the information provided in proposals may be used for purposes of evaluation only. Proprietary information may not be disclosed to any third parties. In addition, all OTT staff, peer reviewers and advisory board members are required to adhere to a strict conflict of interest policy. The non-disclosure agreement and conflict of interest policy are legally binding documents.

 

UVM Ventures Funding

How many times can I apply for a Pre-Seed Grant?

You may apply for a Pre-Seed Grant as many times as you wish. However, the total of all Pre-Seed Grant awards for projects related to the development of any one technology, product, or service cannot exceed $20,000.

I applied for but was not awarded a grant. If I want to apply again, what should I do?

You need to obtain another copy of the application for the grant for which you are applying. Obtaining new forms is important because the application may change slightly from round to round. In addition, we encourage you to contact OTT and obtain feedback about your earlier proposal.

I applied for a grant, was turned down, and have decided not to apply again. Is there anything else I should do?

Yes, we encourage you to contact OTT and speak with someone about your proposal, so we can give you all of the feedback obtained from the reviewers.

I am applying for a grant and want to know what is considered a reasonable salary or stipend for those working on the grant?

Faculty are not eligible for payment under the Innovations Fund or Pre-Seed Fund. However, students and staff may be paid a stipend to work specifically on the grant project. The amounts should be detailed in your budget proposal.

Does overhead apply to the grant budget?

No, the budget should include only direct costs.

Does UVM accept equity as part of the compensation for its technology?

Yes, equity can be used for partial compensation.

Does UVM invest cash in start-up companies that are based on UVM-licensed technology?

No, UVM policy prohibits cash investments in such companies.

 

Other Questions

What happens if I leave UVM?

You continue to receive your share of any royalties, and you may use the invention for non-commercial research.

What happens if I relocate outside Vermont after an Innovations award?

We expect job creation to result from the development of new technologies, so penalties apply if activities that provide economic benefit move outside Vermont within 5 years of completion of an OTT-funded project. Cases of partial manufacturing or expansion outside of Vermont will be considered on a case-by-case basis, with an emphasis on the use of grant money to support efforts that benefit Vermont.