Pitt’s Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship’s Top Things for Faculty to Know in February

  1. “Save the Dates” for Upcoming Feb. OIE Events
  • Feb. 11: Idea to Impact - Coffee & Conversation

Do you have an idea or innovation you want to bring to market? Join staff from the Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship every 2nd Tuesday of the month to learn about the programs and resources across OIE that can help you realize your possibilities. Walk-ins are permitted. Register here

  • Feb. 26: OIE Innovation Webinar Session – “Protecting Your Invention: Invention Disclosure & Intellectual Property”

Join the Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship for an insightful session on Protecting Your Invention: Invention Disclosure & Intellectual Property. This webinar will cover the must-know, introductory details around Invention Disclosure and Intellectual Property, ensuring you have the foundational knowledge to protect your innovative work.

What You'll Learn:

o    When to Submit an Invention Disclosure (ID): Understand the optimal timing for submitting an ID to protect your innovation.

o    Why Submit an ID: Learn the critical reasons behind submitting an ID and how it benefits your invention.

o    What Can Be Covered by an ID: Discover the types of innovations and intellectual property that can be protected through an ID.

  • Intellectual Property Considerations: Gain insights into patents, copyrights, and other IP aspects crucial for safeguarding your innovation.

Don't miss this opportunity to learn from industry experts and take the first step in securing your innovation. Register here

  1. Learn About These Upcoming Office of Innovation & Entrepreneurship RFPs:
  2. Upcoming NSF I-Corps Courses:
  3. Do you believe you have a potential invention as a result of your research? Before you disclose your newly created intellectual property to the public through publication, presentation at a conference, or otherwise share your ideas with outside parties, submit an Intellectual Property Disclosure Form (IPDF) to the Innovation Institute by going to their Invention Disclosure webpage here

·       Commercialization Gap Fund – Submit Letter of Interest by Feb. 15

o    The University of Pittsburgh Commercialization Gap Fund is a competitive innovation funding program designed to accelerate the advancement of promising Pitt innovations towards translation and societal impact. Awards are granted in amounts of $25,000 to $75,000 to support key technical and/or market validation studies that de-risk the commercial potential of Pitt technologies. Eligible projects should have compelling proof-of-concept data, have an invention disclosure on file with the Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and be at the pre-company or licensing stage. 

Submissions are now open – the deadline to submit a letter of interest is February 15.

For more information on the Commercialization Gap Fund, click here.

  • February 5: Deadline for the NSF I-Corps Regional Short Course (for tech innovators in all STEM fields) – Apply here

For questions about the Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship and how they can help you, please contact their office here.