Florida State University has been named one of the top 100 universities in the nation for securing U.S. utility patents, according to the latest rankings released by the National Academy of Inventors (NAI).

Coming in at No. 60 on the list, FSU continues to solidify its reputation as a powerhouse of research and commercialization, successfully translating academic discovery into real-world solutions. The rankings reflect the 2025 calendar year.

The Top 100 U.S. Universities ranking celebrates academic institutions that play a pivotal role in advancing national competitiveness. By securing intellectual property through the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, FSU enables the transition of faculty-led inventions from the lab to the marketplace, driving both economic growth and societal impact.

“This ranking is more than just a number; it represents the relentless ingenuity of our faculty and their commitment to solving the most pressing challenges of our time,” said Vice President for Research Stacey S. Patterson. “A patent is often the bridge between an idea or breakthrough and a commercial product or service that improves lives, creates jobs, and drives our economy forward. This achievement is a credit to our world-class researchers and a signal to our partners that FSU is a premier destination for high-impact discovery and innovation.”

FSU’s climb in the rankings is driven by a diverse portfolio of breakthroughs across engineering, medicine, and materials science. This year’s ranking reflects the university’s commitment to high-impact research and includes a wide range of patents, including:

• A neutron detector developed by Associate Professor of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering Zhibin Yu
• A water-air drone hybrid by Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering Christian Hubicki

• An antifibrotic drug by Professor of Medicine Branko Stefanovic

• A photo-plastic that can move in different ways with different wavelengths by Professor of Chemistry Ken Hanson

“What makes Florida State’s patent portfolio truly remarkable is its incredible diversity,” said Associate Vice President for Strategic Partnerships and Innovation Valerie McDevitt. “Our ranking isn’t just a win for one department. It’s a reflection of a campus-wide culture of discovery. From groundbreaking advancements in the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering and the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory to innovative tools in education and the health sciences, we are proving that FSU’s expertise spans the entire spectrum of human inquiry.”

The NAI has published a worldwide ranking since 2013 but introduced the focused U.S. Universities list in 2023 to better highlight the specific contributions of the American academic landscape. Collectively, the universities on the 2025 Top 100 U.S. list secured over 6,700 patents during the previous calendar year.

This recognition follows a banner year for FSU’s research enterprise, which recently surpassed $488 million in annual research expenditures. The university was also ranked the No. 1 university in Florida for innovation and economic impact in TIME’S inaugural World’s Top Universities 2026 rankings.

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Florida State University has launched Fast Start, a simplified tech transfer program to help FSU faculty bring their discoveries and inventions to market more quickly to help more people.  

The new program solidifies simple, consistent deal terms for licensing and commercialization. Fast Start will allow FSU faculty and researchers to execute license agreements more quickly, with fewer roadblocks and delays. The process will also provide increased transparency and a clear pathway for faculty to move their research from the lab to the marketplace.  

“At FSU, we want to encourage faculty and others to start companies,” said FSU President Richard McCullough. “As a founder of two startups, I have found a standard agreement is a quick way to get your startup launched.” 

The agreement is simple — the FSU Research Foundation will receive 5% equity stake in the company, non-dilutable until the investments in company equal $2 million. The university will provide expert guidance and support to faculty throughout the entire commercialization process, from patent application to licensing agreement. 

“Fast Start is designed to remove barriers and streamline the process for our researchers to move their work into the marketplace,” said Vice President for Research Stacey Patterson. “Making research more accessible will change lives and can have a profound impact on the world.” 

Recent companies started by FSU faculty have taken on major issues including stopping pre-term labor, creating a non-addictive ADHD drug, addressing the world’s food shortages, and shifting reading assessments for the next generation. 

Fast Start officially launched June 9, 2023.  

Easier Licensing 

The university also introduced 1Clik Licensing, which allows industry to license FSU technologies more easily. The new process makes it as easy as buying something in an Amazon cart. Using standardized license agreements with fixed terms speeds up the licensing process. 

Expanding the Innovation Team 

The university has launched a search for a strategic new hire, Associate Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Innovation. This person will lead commercialization efforts and Fast Startup as well as corporate partnerships. The AVP of Strategic Partnerships and Innovation will report to the Vice President for Research. 

For more information on Fast Start, visit https://www.research.fsu.edu/research-offices/oc/fast-start-fsu/.  

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