Find more information about our organization’s structure, tax-exempt status, charter and revenue-sharing policy below.
UT Research Entity Act
- UTRF is authorized to form and participate in Tennessee legal entities, in order to promote and carry out UT’s research-generated technology.
- UTRF is not an agency, department or arm of the state.
- UTRF may contract for services of UT employees.
- UTRF debts and liabilities are not those of the state.
501(C)(3) Status
- UTRF is recognized by the IRS as tax-exempt.
- UTRF may hold stock in public or private for-profit entities.
Charter
- The charter is amended by the UTRF board.
- UTRF powers reflect the UT Research Entity Act, stating that UTRF may accept UT transfers of intellectual property, commercialization, for-profit, non-profit subsidiaries and incubators.
- By-laws may be amended by the UTRF board.
UTRF Bylaws
- Please view this PDF for the UTRF Bylaws.
Revenue Sharing With Inventors
- The UTRF board establishes policy on revenue sharing with UT inventors.
- The policy states that prior to FY 2009, the inventor could choose 15 percent of gross or 50 percent of net.
- The newer policy (FY2009 disclosures and later) states:
- First $5,000 to inventor
- First net $1 million: 40 percent to inventor, 15 percent to campus, 15 percent to department or laboratory, and 30 percent to UTRF
- Net greater than $1 million: 35 percent to inventor, 20 percent to campus, 20 percent to department or laboratory, and 25 percent to UTRF
- Revenue Sharing Graphic