Frequently Asked Questions
This page contains our answers to frequently asked questions.
- Collaborative Research and Entrusted Research
- Patent and Licensing Information
- Enterprise/Entrepreneurship Support
Conducting Collaborative/Entrusted Research with the University of Tokyo
What can you tell me about collaborative research between private enterprises and the University of Tokyo?
The University of Tokyo encourages both domestic and foreign corporations to initiate collaborative research, entrusted research, and feasibility studies for possible collaborative research (Proprius 21) involving corporate and university researchers.
In collaborative research, the university’s faculty and researchers from private companies
jointly research a common topic as equal partners.
Collaborative research is usually conducted at University of Tokyo facilities with the
researchers and funding provided by our partners, but it is possible for our faculty to engage
in off-campus research.
We are also open to conducting allotted collaborative research, in which researchers from both
parties do their work in their own laboratories.
For more details, please refer to Proprius21 our scheme for
the conducting of feasibility studies regarding possible collaborative research.
In entrusted research, our faculty researchers conduct research into particular research themes that have been requested by private companies and agreed upon by the University of Tokyo. The research results shall be reported to the private company.
What steps do I need to take to conduct collaborative research with the University of Tokyo?
If you have decided on a research theme and know which researcher(s) you would like to collaborate with, we encourage you to contact the researcher(s) directly.
For any of the following needs, please send us a message with your contact information and project details using our inquiry page.
- :Introduction to appropriate researchers for research themes
- Exploration of new research themes not yet covered by the University
- Working with multiple faculty members and departments or comprehensive collaboration with several university departments
- Exploring possibilities for new styles of collaborative research
Any other inquiries regarding the possibility of research collaboration are also welcome.
What should I know about the faculty, researchers and research projects of the University of Tokyo?
There are two online databases that provide information on this in English.
- Academic Navi U-Tokyo (sponsored by the University of Tokyo Information Foundation Centre Digital Library)
- The Academic Navigator University of Tokyo
Patent and Licensing Information
How can I license University of Tokyo patents?
The following two technical licensing organizations (TLOs) serve as mediators and oversee marketing and licensing activities related to University of Tokyo patents.
- TODAI TLO, Ltd. (CASTI)
- The Foundation for the Promotion of Industrial Science (FPIS-TLO) (Japanese language only)
How does the University manage its intellectual property?
Please visit our Technology Licensing page, and consult the University of Tokyo Intellectual Property Policy (available on our Dowloadable Documents page) in order to understand how the University of Tokyo manages its intellectual property.
How does the University manage inventions that result from collaborative research?
Please refer to the following materials (available on our Dowloadable Documents page):
- Guidelines for Handling Joint Inventions in Joint or Collaborative Research with Partner Companies
- Standard Collaborative Research Agreement
Enterprise/Entrepreneurship Support provided by the University of Tokyo
What kind of support does the University provide to venture businesses?
We provide support to venture businesses in collaboration with The University of Tokyo Edge Capital Co., Ltd. and TODAI TLO, Ltd. (CASTI) for university spin-offs.
We encourage you to contact us via our inquiry page for further details.
