CRI (Center for Research Innovation) is the university’s tech transfer office. We help protect, manage, and commercialize the intellectual property created by our faculty, researchers, and students. Think of us as the bridge between your lab and the real world.

We evaluate inventions, file patents, register copyrights, negotiate licenses, and support startups. Our goal? To turn great ideas into real-world impact—and make sure you get credit and support along the way.

A patent protects inventions—like a new cancer drug, a solar-harvesting window coating, or a smart sensor system. If it’s new, useful, and not obvious, we may be able to patent it and prevent others from using it without a license.

Copyright protects creative works—like software, written reports, infographics, videos, or datasets. It applies automatically, but registering it can give you even more rights.

Say you’ve developed a breakthrough machine-learning model. We’ll help determine if it’s patentable, copyrightable, or should be kept as a trade secret—and handle the protection strategy.

Your invention might be licensed to a company—or become the basis of a startup. We help set up the legal agreements so your innovation can generate impact (and revenue).

If you’ve published, presented, or posted online, the clock is ticking. In the U.S., you have 12 months to file a patent. In many countries, you get no second chance. Talk to us early!

Disclosing your invention means telling us what you created before you publish or present. That’s step one in protecting it and exploring paths to commercialization.

We review your disclosure, follow up with questions, and decide whether to file for protection. We may also explore licensing, marketing, or startup support.

If it was developed using university resources, the university likely owns the IP—but you’ll always be listed as the inventor and share in potential revenue.

A raw idea—like “AI but for plants”—isn’t enough. We need a working method, design, or application. Also, natural discoveries (like finding a new gene) aren’t patentable unless there’s a specific use.

CRI works with you to identify the best commercialization pathway:

• Licensing to an existing company
• Forming a startup or spinout

Yes—but involve CRI early.

CRI can:

• Put NDAs in place
• Help structure discussions
• Protect your IP during engagement

Licensing allows a company to use your technology in exchange for financial and/or strategic value (e.g., royalties, sponsored research).

Yes.

Agreements are structured to preserve:

• Academic research use
• Your ability to publish

In limited cases, companies may request brief review periods to protect confidential information.

Commercialization timelines vary widely:

• Several months in rare cases
• Often multiple years

It depends on the technology, market readiness, and industry engagement.

Your involvement may include:

• Supporting patent development
• Identifying applications and use cases
• Engaging with potential partners

CRI manages the process and minimizes the administrative burden.

Northeastern covers:

• Patent filing and legal costs
• Commercialization support

These costs are recovered only if the technology is successfully commercialized.

Yes. Revenue is distributed to inventors according to Northeastern University policy and any applicable funding agreements. 30% to inventors, 30% to the lab, and 40% to Northeastern. Refer to the Faculty Handbook Patent and Copyright, Section 4.

CRI can:

• Provide limited internal support
• Connect you with translational funding opportunities
• Support grant applications

CRI will:

• Review agreements
• Clarify IP ownership
• Coordinate with partner institutions

Ownership and rights depend on funding and collaboration terms.

Options may include:

• Northeastern continuing to manage the IP
• Transferring rights to your new institution

Inventors typically retain their share of any future revenue.

A spinout is a startup company formed to commercialize university-developed technology.

This depends on:

• Market opportunity
• Technology maturity
• Your interest in involvement

CRI helps evaluate the best path.

Engage CRI early. We support:

• Opportunity assessment
• Company formation
• Licensing the technology
• Connecting with investors and resources

Equity is typically shared among:

• Founding researchers
• Northeastern University
• Investors

Terms are determined based on Northeastern policy and specific circumstances.

Yes, depending on your interest and university guidelines.

Faculty often serve as:

• Scientific founders
• Advisors
• Board members

• Translating research into real-world impact
• Attracting investment and partnerships
• Creating new funding and research opportunities
• Potential financial return

Yes—if the technology is university-owned.

CRI ensures:

• Proper IP licensing
• Legal and financial protection
• Alignment with university policy

• IP protection expertise
• Deal structuring and negotiation
• Investor and industry connections
• Reduced personal risk

Yes—the CRI Academy on our YouTube page offers tutorials for all these FAQs: youtube.com/user/northeasterncri

An invention is any new and useful process, machine, composition of matter, or improvement thereof. Inventions can be protected by patents, which provide the right to prevent others from making, using, or selling the invention without permission.

The Center for Research Innovation (CRI) is Northeastern University’s technology transfer office. We help faculty protect, manage, and commercialize intellectual property—bridging research and real-world impact.

If your invention was developed using university resources, funding, or within the scope of your role, Northeastern policy requires disclosure to CRI.

Best practice: Disclose before publishing, presenting, or publicly sharing your work.

Public disclosure (e.g., publications, conference presentations, posters, or online posts) can limit or eliminate your ability to secure patent protection—especially internationally.

Early disclosure ensures we can properly assess and protect your work.

• Journal articles or preprints
• Conference presentations or posters
• Theses (if publicly available)
• Conversations with external parties without confidentiality protections

Even a single external disclosure can impact patent rights.

Generally yes—if all participants are Northeastern employees.

If external collaborators, sponsors, or visitors are present, it may be considered public disclosure. When in doubt, consult CRI.

CRI will:

1. Review your invention
2. Assess patentability and market potential
3. Determine a protection strategy
4. Recommend whether to pursue patenting

We may also begin early commercialization outreach.

• Northeastern covers all patent-related costs
• You will work with external patent counsel to refine the application
• Filing can typically occur within weeks, depending on readiness

No. Patent applications can be filed quickly and are designed to align with publication timelines.

Once filed, you are free to publish.

Patent prosecution typically takes 4–6 years, though protection begins at the time of filing.

Under Northeastern policy:

• The university typically owns IP developed using university resources or within your role
• Inventors are always credited and share in any resulting revenue

Depending on the innovation, CRI may pursue:

• Patents (for inventions)
• Copyrights (for software, reports, media)
• Trade secrets (for confidential know-how)

• Abstract ideas without a defined application
• Natural discoveries without a specific use

Protectable IP generally requires a clear, functional implementation.

CRI (Center for Research Innovation) is the university’s tech transfer office. We help protect, manage, and commercialize the intellectual property created by our faculty, researchers, and students. Think of us as the bridge between your lab and the real world.

We evaluate inventions, file patents, register copyrights, negotiate licenses, and support startups. Our goal? To turn great ideas into real-world impact—and make sure you get credit and support along the way.

A patent protects inventions—like a new cancer drug, a solar-harvesting window coating, or a smart sensor system. If it’s new, useful, and not obvious, we may be able to patent it and prevent others from using it without a license.

Copyright protects creative works—like software, written reports, infographics, videos, or datasets. It applies automatically, but registering it can give you even more rights.

Say you’ve developed a breakthrough machine-learning model. We’ll help determine if it’s patentable, copyrightable, or should be kept as a trade secret—and handle the protection strategy.

Your invention might be licensed to a company—or become the basis of a startup. We help set up the legal agreements so your innovation can generate impact (and revenue).

If you’ve published, presented, or posted online, the clock is ticking. In the U.S., you have 12 months to file a patent. In many countries, you get no second chance. Talk to us early!

Disclosing your invention means telling us what you created before you publish or present. That’s step one in protecting it and exploring paths to commercialization.

We review your disclosure, follow up with questions, and decide whether to file for protection. We may also explore licensing, marketing, or startup support.

If it was developed using university resources, the university likely owns the IP—but you’ll always be listed as the inventor and share in potential revenue.

A raw idea—like “AI but for plants”—isn’t enough. We need a working method, design, or application. Also, natural discoveries (like finding a new gene) aren’t patentable unless there’s a specific use.