Rice University is now ranked 68th on the Top 100 U.S. Universities Granted Utility Patents in 2024, a list published by the National Academy of Inventors (NAI) — a leap of 26 spots from last year’s list. Rice ranked 94th in 2023 with 14 granted patents; this year, Rice brought in 30 new patents, leading to its sharp increase in ranking.
Rice’s Office of Technology Transfer (OTT) works closely with its researchers and outside patent counsel to protect the university’s groundbreaking research through U.S. utility patents.
“Granted U.S. utility patents can tremendously help in commercializing the technologies covered by such patents by attracting industry investment and commercial partners on a global level,” said Neha Malik, assistant director for intellectual property management in the OTT. “Advancing in this list memorializes Rice’s commitment to support research programs of Rice faculty by generating a path for the university to bring its research to the marketplace.”
Released annually, the Top 100 U.S. Universities ranking highlights and celebrates U.S. academic institutions that play a large role in advancing innovation through the critical step of securing their intellectual property through patents. This enables and empowers them to translate their inventions, bringing important technologies to the marketplace, bolstering the economy and creating tangible societal solutions.
“In the ever-evolving innovation landscape, it is imperative that the U.S. is remaining competitive and at the forefront of today’s emerging research and technologies,” NAI president Paul R. Sanberg said. “Ensuring the security of intellectual property through patenting is a crucial component to this and allows those innovations to be effectively moved to market where they can create valuable societal and economic impact. The Top 100 U.S. list celebrates U.S. universities and their inventive staff and faculty for their dedication in ensuring their innovations and IP are protected.”
NAI has published the Top 100 Worldwide Universities list since 2013. It introduced the U.S. list in 2023 to provide a more focused view of the national innovation landscape and the contributions made by U.S. academic institutions. Collectively, the universities on the 2024 Top 100 U.S. list hold over 6,700 patents.
“Global competition in science and technology is intense. To continue to keep our nation secure, we must invest in accelerating breakthrough technologies, transitioning these technologies to the market and preparing Americans for better-quality, higher-wage jobs,” said Sethuraman Panchanathan, U.S. National Science Foundation director. “NSF supports the translation of technologies from academic research to the marketplace through programs like the NSF Innovation Corps and the Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships, which focuses on accelerating use-inspired research and its societal impact. The impacts of these investments are being felt in key technology areas nationwide.”
The Top 100 U.S. Universities List is one of three annual rankings published by NAI. These rankings are based on calendar year data provided by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and aim to provide a comprehensive view of intellectual property protection in the innovation ecosystem. See the Top 100 U.S. Universities list here.