Stony Brook University has introduced the Commercial Licensing and Express IP terms for Applied Research (CLEAR-IP) program, aimed at providing new options for companies to license intellectual property developed through applied research collaborations.
The CLEAR-IP initiative offers three licensing pathways: Non-Exclusive Royalty-Free (NERF), Exclusive, and Traditional. These options allow industry partners to choose how they access project-related intellectual property, depending on whether they want immediate royalty-free use, exclusive rights to commercialize a discovery, or the ability to evaluate outcomes before deciding on commercialization.
The program is available for eligible for-profit company-sponsored research agreements and certain government-funded subcontracts valued under $1 million. By structuring clear choices for collaboration, Stony Brook aims to reduce negotiation times and better align partnerships with the needs of businesses.
“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 officials, CLEAR-IP’s model maintains compliance with federal funding regulations and university policies while offering predictable terms that can be scaled based on project requirements. The program accommodates different stages of technology development by allowing both research-only licenses and exclusive commercialization rights.
“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 the program falls under the Office of Sponsored Programs and Intellectual Property Partners within Stony Brook’s Office for Research and Innovation. More details can be found on the CLEAR-IP website.
