A Record of Invention (ROI) is an official document which, when completed, serves to establish a legal record of the date the invention was conceived.  A researcher submits an ROI form to provide the information UW TechTransfer needs to evaluate the invention. Submit an ROI to UW TechTransfer as soon as you think you have a unique innovation (an invention or discovery), even if the innovation has not yet been implemented or reduced to practice. Click here for the form. See Reporting an Innovation for more information.

For non-software innovations submit an ROI form to UW TechTransfer. See the previous paragraph for more information.

To report innovative software or digital technologies to UW TechTransfer, complete and submit an online Consultation Request.

When you wish to report innovative software or digital technologies, complete an online Consultation Request and submit it to UW TechTransfer.

A Confidential Disclosure Agreement (CDA), sometimes called a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA), is a legal document for the protection of proprietary information. Such a document is necessary before any transfer of proprietary information is made from one party (such as a university researcher) to another (such as a corporate representative). Otherwise, the transfer of proprietary information, even in a casual conversation, could legally be considered a public disclosure. In the worst case, such a disclosure could allow the individual or company to whom this information was disclosed to use or transmit to others your confidential information, thus placing the invention in the public domain. This would preclude the possibility of obtaining intellectual property protection and would even violate federal regulations.

It is important to contact UW TechTransfer before disclosing any confidential proprietary information to another party. For confidentiality agreements CDA/NDAs contact the case manager in UW TechTransfer who is working with you or email UW TechTransfer to talk to a case manager.

For CDA/NDAs that are used for Transferring Materials, see the Material Transfer Agreements section.

You will probably need to fill out a Material Transfer Agreement (MTA) form to transfer research material into, or out of, the UW. Please see MTA FAQs or Material Transfer Agreements for more information and for forms.

Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs) are contracts that cover the transfer of specific research materials into, or out of, the UW. Typically UW researchers exchange research materials with other institutions or corporate researchers. See MTA FAQs and Material Transfer Agreements for information on when you need an MTA.

TGIF is a funding program managed by UW TechTransfer and the Washington Research Foundation to further develop UW innovations with commercial potential. The primary focus is on projects that require additional research or prototype development to make them suitable for licensing or a company start. To apply for TGIF, click here.

A GIM-10 form reports any significant financial interest gained, or expected to be gained, by a UW employee participating in an outside company. For more information, see GIM-10, Significant Financial Interest Disclosure Policy.

While the Washington State Ethics in Public Service Act permits outside work, University researchers must secure advance review and approval of outside work whenever such activities stem from, could conflict with, or relate to the individual's official duties or status as a University employee.

To do work outside the UW, researchers must complete a Request for Approval of Outside Professional Work for Compensation Form. For more information, please see Administrative Policy Statement 47.3, Outside Consulting Activities and Part-time Employment by Professional or Classified Staff Employees.