Stony Brook University has introduced the Commercial Licensing and Express IP terms for Applied Research (CLEAR-IP) program, aimed at improving how companies can access intellectual property developed through university research collaborations.
The CLEAR-IP initiative offers three licensing options for industry partners: Non-Exclusive Royalty-Free (NERF), Exclusive, and Traditional. These pathways allow companies to choose the type of access that best suits their business objectives, from immediate royalty-free use of project IP to exclusive rights for bringing new discoveries to market or evaluating results before making a commitment to commercialization.
CLEAR-IP applies to eligible research agreements sponsored by for-profit companies and some government-funded subcontracts with a value under $1 million. The university states that these options are intended to streamline negotiations and reduce delays in moving innovations from concept to marketplace.
“CLEAR-IP is a game-changer for how Stony Brook partners with industry,” said Chief Innovation Officer Michael Kinch. “Too often, the journey from idea to impact is delayed by lengthy negotiations that don’t serve the urgency of innovation. With CLEAR-IP, we’re removing friction from the process and giving our partners the clarity, speed, and flexibility they need to bring groundbreaking discoveries to the marketplace.”
According to Stony Brook University, this model establishes clear terms while complying with federal funding rules and internal policies. Companies have options ranging from research-only licenses to exclusive commercialization rights based on their stage in development or product launch plans.
“Commercialization is a critical pathway for translating academic research into real-world solutions,” said Kinch. “With CLEAR-IP, we are signaling to industry that we are serious about partnerships and serious about impact.”
Administration of CLEAR-IP will be handled by the Office of Sponsored Programs and Intellectual Property Partners within the Office for Research and Innovation. More information can be found on the program’s website.