How can I find the specific capabilities I need?
Many leading experts in various fields conduct research at Case Western Reserve University. Frequently, our research questions overlap with your product needs. Our Corporate Relations team can match you with the right laboratory or faculty member for your needs.
What on-campus facilities, equipment, and services are available for use?
View a list of core facilities
Can CWRU help me produce prototypes?
Our think[box], one of the country’s first designated “maker’s spaces,” offers rapid prototyping equipment and general entrepreneurial support to the public. Learn more at engineering.case.edu/thinkbox.
What existing technology is available from CWRU to license or option?
Some available technologies can be found on our Flintbox portal. Others cannot be publicly displayed at this time but are still available for corporate use - contact our Licensing Concierge Service to gain insight into these private options.
What’s the difference between optioning and licensing a technology?
Optioning is a temporary agreement, better for uncertain market conditions. CWRU provides a limited-time exclusive option to negotiate a commercial license for a fee.
Licensing is a more permanent agreement, better for stable, well-researched markets. CWRU offers both non-exclusive and exclusive licensing to our technologies - custom-tailored agreements to ensure the best benefits for commercial partners and the technology’s inventors.
What do licenses usually cost?
Each license varies, but we base our royalty rates/fees on calculations drawn from your own projections and industry comps to ensure you reap the majority of benefits, keep most of your margin, and find success in the marketplace. Entering into a partnership with CWRU means that your success is our success, and we’ll work diligently to advance both.
Will the university have to disclose corporate involvement in research publications?
In most instances, yes. Academic publishing is critical to a university’s success, and increasingly, peer-reviewed journals require authors to identify the sources of research funding and other support in all papers.
Can I review these publications before official publication?
Yes. We usually grant a 30-day review period to corporate sponsors before publication to prevent accidental disclosure of confidential or patentable information. If a company needs to file patent applications, a limited extension of the 30-day period might also be granted.
How does CWRU handle trade secrets?
The process of sponsored research requires open communication that frequently gives the sponsor a competitive advantage. However, CWRU cannot establish long-term trade secrets, since we must freely publish concluded research results.
How does CWRU handle confidentiality?
We will maintain sponsor confidentiality as part of a research agreement. These confidentiality obligations can be described in a research agreement or in a separate non-disclosure agreement.
In order to successfully safeguard your private information, any confidential information must be clearly marked and identified as confidential within the agreement.