Ferris State University

1201 S. State Street Big Rapids, MI 49307 • 231-591-2000

http://www.ferris.edu/

Technology Transfer

The Technology Transfer office consists of the following services:

Protects Intellectual Property Rights in conjunction with its General Counsel’s Office
Provides a library maintaining patent repository and allows free preliminary patent searches
Provides conflict of interest and nondisclosure agreement documents.
Conducts filings for copyright protect when developing new documentation
Manages applications for and received various types of grants with the assistance of University grant writer. (SBIR, MEDC, Incumbent Worker Training, Federal Earmark, etc.)
Provides the writing and administration of client and provider contracting on projects
Provide the business accounting on industry projects
Administers the university’s human and animal research subject policies for use in the Allied Health Sciences, Pharmacy, and Optometry

Incubators

Ferris State University has 1,600 sq. ft. of industrial incubator space available, plus many industrial level production, QC, and testing equipment labs on campus that have time available for use. These labs can be used for: prototyping, plastics, metal stamping, machining and high speed machining, welding and fabrication, printing, construction related, automotive, heavy equipment, fuels labs, electronics, metallurgy, inspection, and computer aided design. Ferris also has a product design program that can assist in new product development, and has served companies in product validation studies. All services are delivered on a fee for service basis.

Services also include working in collaboration with both industry and partnering colleges to assist in corporate or grant funding. Business assistance is also available: business planning, marketing, and accounting services can be made available on a fee basis. Ferris has served as Michigan’s Invention Center when funding was available, offering preliminary patent searching and market analysis activities. No legal services are offered except for University / faculty joint projects. High speed web access is available.

University-Industry Commercialization Programs

The university provides industry experienced faculty to industry partners in all of its technology programs: Automotive, Technical Drafting Tool Design, Product Design, Mechanical Design, Manufacturing Tooling, Manufacturing Engineering, Welding Engineering Technology, Plastics and Rubber Engineering Technology, Heavy Equipment Technology, Printing and Graphics, Electronics, and Energy Management. The faculty can also provide finite element analysis on product to determine possible failure points.

The university maintains many strong linkages with the many industries and their associations that we serve, including automotive, all forms of manufacturing, bio medical technology, printing, construction, and heavy equipment as examples. Ferris excels in the area of applied project activities and involves students whenever possible as a class or as individual assigned special projects. Ferris prides its self in the ability to work in and develop mutually beneficial partnerships.

Entrepreneurship Education related to Economic Development

Internships

MGMT 491: Management Internship. This experiential experience is required of students enrolled in the minor in Small Business & Entrepreneurship.

Internships are also available in all of the Engineering Technology Bachelor Degree programs in the College of Technology. These include: Manufacturing Engineering, Product Design, Plastics, Welding, Automotive, Heavy Equipment, Construction and Heat Ventilation and Air Conditioning.

The colleges of Allied Health, Pharmacy and Optometry also provide internship and research project possibilities.

Small Business Consulting

MGMT 420: Small Business Consulting. Students participate in the Small Business Institute assisting entrepreneurs and small business owners in solving business problems. Assignments involve a wide array of business problems including marketing, cost analysis, organization, facilities planning, product line, profitability, and business start-up. Students are assigned to a business based on their academic pursuits and areas of interest. A comprehensive report and presentation of student recommendations are provided to the business owner. This course can be taken multiple times for credit. Practicum Hours: 1 credit hour granted for each 45 hours of consulting.

Economic Development/Outreach

Corporate Services

The Director of Corporate Services represents Ferris State University on the Michigan Universities Commercialization Initiative (MUCI) review committee and the Michigan Initiative for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (MIIE) Management Committee. Further, the College of Technology Dean represents Ferris State on the MIIE Funding Committee. Ferris State University is also involved in regular meetings with both the Community College and M-TEC Center system across the state.