Iowa State University Research Foundation Moves Up in Top 100 Worldwide Universities Granted U.S. Utility Patents

Iowa State University Research Foundation Inc. (ISURF) has tied for 57th place on the National Academy of Inventors (NAI) “2024 Top 100 Worldwide Universities Granted United States Utility Patents List.” ISURF maintains its upward trend after ranking 64th in 2023. “ISURF’s continued investment in the fruits of the research portfolio from ISU is a testament to the amazing discoveries taking place across campus annually.” said Patrick Klepcyk, Director of the Office of Innovation Commercialization (OIC) and President of ISURF. Released annually by the Academy since 2013, the Top 100 Worldwide Universities List  (PDF) ranks the top universities holding U.S. utility patents to highlight the important research and innovation taking place within academic institutions. ISURF had 60 patents issue in 2024, up from 49 issued in the previous year. This 22% increase places ISURF 36th among US institutions for 2024.

“The Top 100 Worldwide list showcases the vital role U.S. patents play in moving technologies from bench to marketplace at academic institutions around the globe,” said Dr. Paul R. Sanberg, FNAI, President of the National Academy of Inventors. “By recognizing and celebrating this crucial step in the commercialization process, we aim to highlight how intellectual property can benefit inventors and their institutions, as well as encourage them to pursue commercializing technologies that can have beneficial societal and economic impacts.”
The Top 100 Worldwide Universities ranking highlights the critical role patents play in translating university research and innovation, as well as the important role academic institutions play in the innovation ecosystem at large. Collectively, the universities on the 2024 Top 100 Worldwide list hold over 9,600 patents. NAI Member Institutions comprise 58% of the ranking and hold over 5,600 patents. Through obtaining U.S. patents, these institutions have the ability to translate their technologies in the competitive global market and make tangible impacts in the daily lives of consumers.

The Top 100 Worldwide Universities List is one of three annual rankings which are published by the National Academy of Inventors. These rankings are based on calendar year data provided by the United States Patent and Trademark Office and aim to provide a comprehensive view of intellectual property protection in the innovation ecosystem. The Top 100 U.S. Universities and Top 60 Non-Profit Research Institutions and Government Agencies rankings will be released this spring leading up to NAI’s 14th Annual Conference held in Atlanta, Georgia.

ISURF is a non-profit foundation that was established in 1938 to own and manage the collection of intellectual property that arises from the research enterprise at ISU and the Ames National Lab. ISU’s OIC, comprised of ISURF and the Office of Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer, evaluates and develops intellectual property strategies for technology emerging from the research and executes partnerships for their commercial development with companies.