The creation and dissemination of knowledge is at the heart of every university activity. The challenge is realizing how this knowledge can best be utilized as an asset that can provide the maximum value to the economy, society and the university itself. Beyond the potential to generate income, NOVA has the responsibility to protect its rights in the best way that it can and to ensure that society can benefit from the funding that is given to the University.

NOVA revised its IP Policy in 2020 based on principles of transparency, equity, sustainability and efficiency to carry out the corresponding knowledge transfer process.

NOVA’s IP is a formally-adopted document which:

• Clarifies the ownership of and right to use the IP resulting from NOVA’s own or collaborative R&D activities;
• Defines the rules on how to accurately identify, evaluate, protect and manage IP for its further valorization, usually through some form of commercialization; and
• Provides a transparent framework for cooperation with other entities and provides guidelines on the sharing of economic benefits arising from the IP commercialization.

This document regulates the ownership and use of IP rights, which is very important both to NOVA stakeholders (professors, researchers, students, visiting researchers, etc.) and commercial partners to provide clear guidance on how to deal with issues concerning IP.

In principle, the Regulation applies to NOVA faculty, researchers, students, employees/staff and research fellows, and to research visitors or other individuals collaborating with NOVA, its Organic Units and associated Research Units, using significant NOVA resources (funds, infrastructures, equipment, lab materials, etc.). Get to know more here.