Complete the online application.

Note: Postdocs and PhD students must apply with a Principal Investigator.

The Patents2Products program aims to help University of Hawaiʻi graduate students and postdoctoral researchers move early-stage research innovations toward real-world impact. The program helps participants gain entrepreneurship skills, IP and commercialization guidance, mentorship, and networking opportunities to translate breakthrough ideas into commercial products and services.

Join our mailing list, follow us on social media (@innovationuh) to stay up to date on the latest news.

Any innovation being submitted for P2P must have disclosed the innovation to the OIC. Submit your disclosure via the Innovator Portal (UH login required). Disclosures must be submitted by the application deadline, but don’t wait – get started now! For questions on disclosing your innovation, visit the OIC website or contact uhott@hawaii.edu.

We invite any University of Hawai’i graduate student or postdoc interested in gaining an entrepreneurial education and exploring commercialization pathways for their innovation to apply for the program.

P2P Fellows are expected to:

• Attend and actively participate in program activities. Our syllabus adjusts to fit the needs of each cohort, but our curriculum emphasizes four early-stage commercialization pillars of intellectual property, communication skills, customer discovery, and product development. Fellows will participate in a four-week regional NSF I-Corps program as part of the program.
• Work with your project’s Principal Investigator to continue research efforts to advance the commercialization potential of the innovation.
• Engage in regular update meetings with Office of Innovation and Commercialization staff to discuss progress, challenges, and solutions to overcoming roadblocks.

In addition to working with their Principal Investigator to develop their innovation, Fellows are expected to commit time for the following:

• Monthly two-hour programming sessions.
• Regular meetings with the OIC to discuss innovation updates.
• Meetings with their mentors/advisors.
• Networking events.
• Four-week regional NSF I-Corps program with the Desert and Pacific Region Hub.

Any University of Hawai’i faculty or researcher who disclosed their innovation to the OIC may be a Principal Investigator. Initiating the disclosure process is easy – please email uhott@hawaii.edu to begin the process.

Principal Investigators are expected to:

• Recruit the P2P Fellow to assist with developing a UH innovation.
• Supervise the P2P Fellow’s research efforts and encourage continued progress towards commercialization of the innovation.
• Advise and mentor the P2P Fellow on research efforts.
• Provide updates on the innovation’s progress.
• Attend program events when relevant.

The Patents2Products program provides customized programming to support the Fellow’s professional development in IP development, commercialization, and entrepreneurship.  In addition, support may include:

• Salary support for the P2P Fellow
• Funding for research materials and supplies