Disclose an Invention
If your research has the potential to make an impact beyond publication, sharing it with our team through the Inventor Portal is an important first step.
Inventor Portal
Manage your disclosures and commercialization activities in one place. The Inventor Portal allows Notre Dame researchers to submit invention disclosures, track the status of their innovations, view related agreements and patent activity, and communicate with the IDEA Center throughout the commercialization process.
Ready to get started? Access the Inventor Portal below or review the User Guide for step-by-step instructions. Or, contact our researcher liaisons for more information.
Access the Inventor Portal
Disclosing an invention simply means letting us know about a discovery, method, or technology that may have commercial or societal value. This can include early-stage ideas, unexpected findings, software, materials, or processes, even if they don’t feel fully developed. If you’re unsure whether something qualifies, we’re here to help.
As part of Notre Dame’s Intellectual Property policy, the Bayh-Dole Act, and many sponsored research agreements, faculty are expected to disclose innovations that may have potential beyond the research lab. Our team works to make this process straightforward and supportive, and focused on helping you understand your options and next steps.
Submitting a disclosure enables us to understand your work and explore translational pathways together, whether that’s protecting intellectual property, identifying funding to further develop the technology, or connecting with potential partners. It also helps ensure your research is protected, as public disclosures such as publications or presentations, or sharing confidential invention details through non-approved AI tools, can impact the ability to secure intellectual property rights.
Our approach is collaborative and faculty-centered. There is no obligation to pursue commercialization simply because you have submitted a disclosure. Rather, it opens the door to informed decision-making.
You don't need all the answers before reaching out. Whether you're ready to submit a disclosure or simply exploring the potential of a discovery, a Researcher Liaison can help guide the way.
- What is an invention disclosure?
- When should I submit an invention disclosure?
- What happens after I submit an invention disclosure?
- Does submitting a disclosure automatically result in a patent?
- Who is considered an inventor?
- Who owns inventions developed at Notre Dame?
- Can I publish my research and still pursue commercialization?
- What if my invention was developed with collaborators from another institution?
- Do software, data, or research tools need to be disclosed?
- What is the IDEA Center’s guidance on the use of AI tools?
- How do I get started?
- What is an invention disclosure?
An invention disclosure is a confidential document that describes a new invention, discovery, software, or technology developed at Notre Dame. Submitting a disclosure is the first step in evaluating intellectual property protection and commercialization opportunities.
- When should I submit an invention disclosure?
You should submit an invention disclosure as soon as you believe your research may have commercial value and before any public disclosure, such as a publication, presentation, poster session, or public discussion. Early disclosure helps preserve potential patent rights.
- What happens after I submit an invention disclosure?
After submission, the IDEA Center reviews the disclosure, evaluates intellectual property and commercialization potential, and works with inventors to determine appropriate next steps, which may include patent protection, licensing, startup formation, or other pathways to impact.
- Does submitting a disclosure automatically result in a patent?
No. Filing an invention disclosure begins the evaluation process, but not every disclosure results in a patent application. Decisions are based on factors such as novelty, patentability, market opportunity, and commercialization potential.
- Who is considered an inventor?
An inventor is someone who contributes to the conception of at least one claim of a patentable invention. Authorship on a publication, supervisory responsibilities, or funding support alone do not necessarily make someone an inventor.
- Who owns inventions developed at Notre Dame?
Ownership depends on factors such as University policies, funding sources, employment status, and use of University resources. In many cases, inventions developed through University research are owned by Notre Dame and managed through the IDEA Center's commercialization process.
- Can I publish my research and still pursue commercialization?
Yes, but timing matters. Public disclosure can affect patent rights, particularly outside the United States. Researchers are encouraged to contact the IDEA Center before publishing or publicly presenting potentially patentable discoveries.
- What if my invention was developed with collaborators from another institution?
Collaborative inventions are common. The IDEA Center can work with partner institutions to establish agreements governing ownership, patent prosecution, licensing, and commercialization activities.
- Do software, data, or research tools need to be disclosed?
Yes. In addition to patentable inventions, software, copyrighted works, research tools, and other intellectual property may have licensing or commercialization value. The IDEA Center can help determine the protection and distribution strategies that meet your professional and commercialization goals.
- What is the IDEA Center’s guidance on the use of AI tools?
The IDEA Center’s Guidance on the Use of AI Tools and Potential Impact on Patentability outlines considerations for using generative AI with confidential research information and potentially patentable discoveries. Researchers are encouraged to review the guidance and use University-approved AI tools to help protect confidential information and preserve potential patent rights.
- How do I get started?
The easiest way to begin is by contacting a Researcher Liaison or submitting an invention or software disclosure. The IDEA Center can help understand your goals for your work, answer questions about intellectual property protection, and provide you options for commercialization or translation of your work.