The University of New Mexico has ranked #53 on the Top 100 U.S. Universities Granted Utility Patents in 2024, a list published by the National Academy of Inventors (NAI). 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,” said Paul R. Sanberg, FNAI, President of the NAI. “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.”
Since 2013, NAI has published the Top 100 Worldwide Universities list, with the Top 100 U.S. Universities list being introduced 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. NAI Member Institutions comprise 96% of the ranking and hold nearly 6,500 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 U.S. National Science Foundation Director, Sethuraman Panchanathan. “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 which are published by the National Academy of Inventors. These rankings are based on calendar year data provided by the United States Patent and Trademark Office and aim to provide a comprehensive view of intellectual property protection in the innovation ecosystem. The Top 100 Worldwide Universities ranking was published in March and Top 60 Non-Profit Research Institutions and Government Agencies rankings will be released this spring leading up to NAI’s 14th Annual Conference held in Atlanta, Georgia.
See the Top 100 U.S. Universities list here.
About UNM Rainforest Innovations
As the technology-transfer and economic-development organization for the University of New Mexico (UNM), UNM Rainforest Innovations protects and commercializes technologies developed at UNM by filing patents and copyrights and transferring them to the marketplace. We connect the business community (companies, entrepreneurs, and investors) to these UNM technologies for licensing opportunities and the creation of start-up companies. Our vision is to play a vital role in New Mexico’s economic development and to be a leader in technology commercialization. Under the leadership of CEO & Chief Economic Development Officer Lisa Kuuttila, UNM Rainforest Innovations is substantially growing its program using the Rainforest model to develop an innovation economy in New Mexico. To learn more about us, visit our website at http://www.innovations.unm.edu
About the Top 100 U.S. Universities Granted Utility Patents in 2024
The information provided in this list is based on data obtained from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. For this report, a university is defined as an institution that has undergraduate degrees. Patents include only utility patents granted during the 2024 calendar year. All assignees are credited for patents when listed. The number of patents granted does not necessarily indicate the value of a university’s technology, the effectiveness of its research, or whether its patents will be successfully licensed and/or brought to market. This is a dynamic list of worldwide institution patents. Some universities may record patents under different, yet similar names or combine their patents under one foundation or trustee name. If you have questions, please contact: info@academyofinventors.org
About the National Academy of Inventors
The National Academy of Inventors is a member organization comprising U.S. and international universities, and governmental and non-profit research institutes, with over 4,600 individual inventor members and Fellows spanning more than 260 institutions. It was founded in 2010 to recognize and encourage inventors with patents issued from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, enhance the visibility of academic technology and innovation, encourage the disclosure of intellectual property, educate and mentor innovative students, and translate the inventions of its members to benefit society. The Academy and the USPTO have enjoyed a collaborative partnership since the founding of NAI. Most recently this has been reflected in their joint mission to expand access to the innovation ecosystem through a focus on actively valuing and leveraging every individual’s unique perspectives, talents, and contributions. www.academyofinventors.org