USF has grown to be a strong research University with an important economic impact on the Tampa Bay Region and Florida. The underlying component of USF that drives its research initiatives is the talent of faculty, staff and students. In every corner of the University great scientists, scholars and educators are teaching the next generation of students how to be competent researchers.

These members of the USF community have demonstrated truly innovative ideas or concepts that create new research paradigms and develop novel applications of their science or technology. A researcher’s contribution reaches the benchmark of inventorship as recognized by the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) because its discovery had no significant prior art, was not obvious to someone else skilled in the field, and had a specific use. In this case, the USPTO issues a “U.S. Patent” and officially designates the researcher as an “Inventor”.

Although every invention and every inventor is unique, some things are common to all. In addition to excellent research skills, it takes imagination and ingenuity to be an inventor.

Without inventors we would not have our iPods, cell phones, automobiles or new sources of energy. As a society, we are eager in anticipation of the cure for cancer, HIV, diabetes, and neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease. An inventor feels a sense of pride when the years of hard work come to fruition with either a miraculous discovery in medicine or the next generation of information technology. Inventors truly should be recognized for their imagination, accomplishments and called upon to share their special translational talents within the USF community. Therefore, the USF ACADEMY OF INVENTORS has been established to recognize the contributions of scientist-inventors across all disciplines in the USF community.

The purpose of the ACADEMY is:

1. To recognize publicly a cadre of investigators who are also inventors.
2. To enhance visibility of University technology development, promote entrepreneurship and be advocates for USF innovation in the Tampa Bay Community.
3. To be a resource for the Tampa Bay community to facilitate greater industry research contracts and interactions with companies and organizations in order to increase economic impact.
4. To increase awareness of intellectual property at USF by mentoring, fostering and encouraging other faculty, staff and students to develop their intellectual property and inventions.
5. To help shape society by being in a position to understand the translational use of inventions at USF and elsewhere; and be a role model in such endeavors for students.
6. To develop relevant invention-based activities in collaboration with the Division of Patents and Licensing.

The ACADEMY is open to all members of the USF community including alumni and affiliates who have received an issued patent from the USPTO. An annual meeting and recognition ceremony will be held during the academic year and a list of members will be published, in order to enhance networking, recognition, and the opportunity to share your experiences. The Academy will also participate during USF Research Week.

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