The U.S. National Science Foundation typically allows awardees to retain principal legal rights to intellectual property developed under NSF awards. This approach encourages innovation and the broad dissemination of inventions, software and publications.
Refer to the NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG) for detailed information on intellectual property developed under NSF awards.
Patents and inventions
Awardees typically retain principal rights to inventions made during NSF-funded research, provided they disclose them to OGC's patent team. Refer to the PAPPG Chapter XI.D.1 and Chapter XI.D.3 for more information.
Copyright
Information on the rights to copyrightable material created as a part of NSF awards can be found in PAPPG Chapter XI.D.2 and Chapter XI.D.3.
Dissemination and sharing of research results
NSF expects its awardees to share results of agency-supported research and education projects with others both within and outside the scientific and engineering research and education community. Refer to PAPPG Chapter XI.D.4 for more information.
Use of the NSF logo and acknowledgement of NSF support
Awardees must follow the guidelines outlined in the NSF Policy on Brand Standards, which governs the use of the NSF logo and proper acknowledgement of NSF support.