Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation

Your Invention advances its journey right here

Submit Your Innovation Disclosure

What Kind of Work Can I Submit?

You can submit nearly any type of discovery to WARF, whether it’s brand new or an improvement to an existing invention.

  • Devices
    i.e., a new type of laser or surgical tool
  • Processes
    i.e., improved methods for purifying cells or new software techniques
  • Compositions
    i.e., new materials, food, chemicals or drug molecules

  • Copyrights & Proprietary data
    i.e., surveys, software, educational tools, compiled databases
  • Software
    i.e., computer source code, executable code or apps
  • Biological materials
    i.e., cell lines or plant varieties

Disclosing: sooner is better.

Submitting your Innovation Disclosure to WARF is the best way to take ownership of your invention or discovery and position yourself for long-term success. And doing so sets in motion a tested and proven process that advances your ingenuity toward patenting your technology.

To protect your invention patent rights, both in the U.S. and abroad, it’s important to complete your Innovation Disclosure before your work becomes public through papers, presentations, grant applications or other means. However, even if you think you’ve publicly exposed your invention, we still encourage you to contact us as soon as possible. WARF is here to guide you through the patenting process with your best interests at heart.

Submit Your Innovation Disclosure

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Benefits of Patenting Inventions with WARF

WARF has almost a century-long track record of success in technology transfer.

  • We’ll connect you and your discovery with WARF’s team of scientific and licensing experts to help take your invention to the next stage.
  • As the inventor, you and your team, along with your department, will receive a share of the royalties and patenting will not cost you anything. WARF covers those costs.
  • Working with WARF means the success of your invention will not only benefit the world but will give back to funding research at UW-Madison.
  • If you want to create a startup company from your discovery, we can connect you with some early-stage startup resources.
  • Applying for funding? Our Discovery Connections team can help you develop Broader Impacts as part of your grant work.

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Remember that UW-Madison researchers, as well as Morgridge Institute researchers, must submit their inventions to WARF in compliance with university policy. WARF accepts an invention based on its patentability, licensing potential and public benefit. If accepted, WARF will cover the cost of the patent process, which can run tens of thousands of dollars.

More Resources

Next Steps

Ready to license an invention? Here’s your WARF to do list:

WARF