WARF

WARF, the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, is a nonprofit organization that manages the intellectual property and technology transfer activities of the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Established in 1925, WARF’s purpose is to translate university research into commercial products and to generate revenue that supports ongoing research, education, and related programs.

The foundation holds patents arising from UW–Madison research and licenses technologies to private companies, startups, and other institutions. It negotiates licensing agreements, manages patent portfolios, and collaborates with industry partners to bring innovations to market. Revenue from licenses and related activities is typically reinvested to fund further research, student fellowships, and campus initiatives, with targeted distributions to the university and its researchers as defined by the terms of each agreement.

Governance and structure: WARF operates as an independent nonprofit with a board of directors that includes representatives connected to UW–Madison and independent members. Its operations are coordinated with university offices responsible for technology transfer and research administration, ensuring alignment with institutional goals and policies.

Impact and scope: WARF has played a central role in Wisconsin’s innovation ecosystem by licensing a wide range of technologies across sectors such as health, agriculture, and information technology, and by supporting spin-off companies and startup formation. The revenues generated have contributed to funding research facilities, scholarships, and new programs at UW–Madison.

Context and considerations: As with many university technology transfer offices, WARF operates within the broader debate over patenting academic research, licensing terms, and the balance between open science and commercialization. It remains a key mechanism by which UW–Madison’s scientific discoveries reach the market.