Industry Engagement: October 2026 Navigating the Storm

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Discussion Prompts:

•As federal initiatives—including programs within NSF’s TIP Directorate and DOE’s Genesis Mission—emphasize faster translation and commercialization, how is your institution evaluating opportunities that use OTAs or other funding vehicles with IP terms that may differ from traditional Bayh-Dole provisions? Is your institution developing or thinking about developing formal processes and policies that formalize acceptance of non-standard IP terms that may conflict with campus IP policies to make timely decisions on these opportunities?•

•At what point should research security and export control reviews enter discussion with prospective sponsors, licensees, and startup investors? Are you developing approaches to identify concerns early while keeping negotiations timely and predictable?•

•Is your institution accepting licensing revenue (and other revenue) from entities/countries of concern? Does your institution have a process or policy to evaluate the risk? If so, who is involved, what information is sought to perform the evaluation, and how is your institution documenting the decision? Does your licensing agreements have specific language to prevent sublicensing or other transfer of IP rights (bankruptcy) to entities of concern?

•With indirect cost reimbursement changes still pending, is your institution making a deliberate effort to diversify research funding by attracting industry sponsors, private foundations, or other philanthropic partners? What specific steps is your institution taking to identify and cultivate new industry or foundation sponsors? Are these efforts being led by technology transfer offices, corporate relations, development offices, research administration, individual colleges, or a more coordinated institutional team? Does your institution have specific goals for increasing industry-sponsored research or foundation-funded research? •

•Do your institution's startup equity and licensing policies specifically address foreign investment, foreign ownership, or investment by entities of concern? If so, are these considerations incorporated into standard licensing procedures? Does your institution have a process to review investments made in university startups? Is your university concerned about investments from entities of concern in startups in which it has an equity interest? Who owns the decision when a potential foreign investment concern arises: the technology transfer office, research security office, export control office, general counsel, or senior institutional leadership? Is there a defined escalation process?