Business and Industry

Driving Solutions Together:  Welcome and thank you for your interest in EMU!  EMU offers opportunities to collaborate on various challenges through research, training, and access to talent. The EMU Technology Transfer Office facilitates interactions and relationships with businesses and industries focusing on research and commercialization. Below is information that may be useful for considering and exploring potential collaborations.

  • Licensing Philosophy

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    A key part of EMU's mission is creating and disseminating new knowledge.  One part of this mission is to see discoveries put into use for the public good by protecting them through patents and making them available for commercialization.  As commercial exploitation of goods and products is well beyond EMU’s primary mission of teaching, research, and service, we look to, and value, collaborations and licensing arrangements with private industry.

    To be patentable, discoveries must be useful and new.  For a patent to have commercial appeal, at the very least, it has to offer an improvement or solution to an existing problem.  As stated above manufacturing and selling in the marketplace is well beyond EMU’s mission so there is a need for us to work with members from the business community.  

    As a non-profit, tax-supported entity with public obligations, EMU abides by key concepts to drive technology transfer:

    • Creating opportunities for collaborative sponsored research and development projects pertaining to patented technologies, especially providing faculty-led student opportunities to work on real-world problems.
    • Partnering with private business through licensing agreements to further disseminate research results through commercialization.
    • Ensuring that licensed inventions are not warehoused and, in fact, are put into practice to solve problems for the public.
    • Ensuring that a fair return is received by the University so that taxpayers and student tuition dollars are not subsidizing private benefit and commercial gain.

    Through the Technology Transfer Office, EMU:

    • Works with its researchers to identify and protect valuable research discoveries
    • Markets and promotes the availability of these technologies
    • Works with interested commercial entities to negotiate licensing agreements, as well as other agreements, like sponsored research agreements, NDAs, and material transfer agreements
    • Encourages interested faculty and students in entrepreneurship and startups, connecting them with area programs, organizations, and resources.

  • Licensing Process

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    Working with EMU to secure a right to university-owned inventions will be similar to working with other university technology transfer offices.

    • Interest Expand dropdown
      When a company expresses an interest in university-owned technologies, the Technology Transfer Office will provide publicly available information for initial evaluation.  If the company wishes to pursue further conversations, the EMU Technology Transfer Office will set up conversations between technical experts from the University and the company.  These conversations often require a Non-Disclosure Agreement to protect EMU's proprietary information.  Our sample NDA is available online to review.  We, also, are happy to consider the company's standard form agreement.
    • Exploration and Evaluation Expand dropdown

      In cases where short-term testing and evaluation is required, the University can offer the company an Exclusive Option Agreement providing a short period (generally less than six months) for assessing the technology.  The Option Agreement reserves an exclusive position for the company while testing and evaluation is conducted. Exclusive Option Agreements require the company to pay University patent costs during the option period, as well as an option fee.

      In cases where a longer evaluation period is needed, the University may require other terms pertaining to commercialization milestones.  If further research and development is necessary, the Technology Transfer Office can assist in negotiating a Sponsored Research Agreement as well.  SRAs include the University’s direct and indirect costs associated with a Statement of Work.

    • Licensing Agreement Expand dropdown

      When further testing or evaluation is not required and the company wishes to obtain a right to University-owned technology, a license agreement is negotiated.  EMU's licensing practices are consistent with other universities and generally include:

      • Reserving a right for continued internal research for non-commercial purposes
      • Structuring agreements to encourage commercialization
      • Assisting in managing potential conflicts of interest that may arise
      • Recognizing possible export control regulations
    • Maintaining Rights Over Time Expand dropdown
      Maintaining rights over time can be as simple as abiding by the contract terms during the life of Agreement.  In cases where the technology landscape changes, or other challenges arise, the EMU Technology Transfer Office is ready to work with companies to find win-win solutions.

     

  • EMU Research Capabilities

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    EMU professors conduct ongoing research that can lead to commercial products, process improvements, or solve other industry challenges. With many EMU graduate and undergraduate students working alongside faculty in laboratories, they are exposed to the process of discovery and innovation. Visit the websites of EMU's five colleges to learn more more about the research happenings. Below is information about EMU's centers, institutes, laboratories, and specialized facilities.

     

  • Sample Agreements

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    The EMU Technology Transfer Office assists with the following agreements, which can be found here on our Policies, Forms & Agreements page.

    • Industry Sponsored Research Agreement
    • License Agreement
    • Non-Disclosure Agreement
  • Other Opportunities for Collaboration Expand dropdown
    • Student Design Projects Expand dropdown

      Engaging EMU students in Student Design Projects benefits students, industry, and EMU alike. It offers real-world problems for students to solve, allows industry direct interaction with new talent, and enhances EMU's capacity to provide relevant skills and practical experience for students.

      EMU Technology Transfer Office is happy to make connections between interested businesses and EMU academic programs that might provide a good opportunity for student design projects.

    • Partnerships & Impact Expand dropdown

      The EMU Foundation is a great resource for business and industry looking to explore various ways of partnering with EMU. With a donor-centered focus, the Foundation helps connect interested parties with the University, creating mutual benefit for all parties by matching corporate interests with EMU priorities.

      EMU Tech Transfer is happy to facilitate a connection or feel free to reach out directly to Lisa Comben, the Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations at the EMU Foundation.

    • Talent Expand dropdown
      • EMU provides a world-class education, and our graduates play a significant role in meeting the talent needs of southeastern Michigan and beyond. The University Advising & Career Development Center (UACDC) is an important conduit for connecting EMU students with employment and employment opportunities.  Please visit UACDC to learn more about ways to engage with EMU and access the great talent we have!
    • Training Expand dropdown
      Training and professional development is essential in staying current in our rapidly changing world.  EMU's Professional Programs and Training (PPAT) unit can meet many needs of area businesses, including an array of training programs and professional certificates, as well and training partnerships developed to meet your specific goals. EMU also hosts the Great Lakes OSHA Education Center which is part of a national network authorized by the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to provide OSHA training for all levels of workers.  Visit EMU PPAT to learn more about these offerings.