UT institutions rank No. 4 in the world for most patents granted

Once again, University of Texas institutions have earned a top spot among the most innovative institutions of higher education in the world, based on the number of U.S. patents granted.

The National Academy of Inventors and Intellectual Property Owners Association ranked the UT System No. 4 in world, according to the Top 100 Worldwide Universities Granted U.S. Utility Patents for 2020 report released today. Last year, researchers from UT institutions collectively were granted 207 utility patents from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

UT institutions have earned one of the top 5 spots in this ranking for three consecutive years.

“This year, more than ever, we’ve seen the global impact of the ingenuity and perseverance of UT scientists whose research has played a pivotal role in ending the pandemic,” UT System Chancellor James B. Milliken said. “But this ranking reminds us that researchers and entrepreneurs at UT institutions across Texas make discoveries year-round that save lives, change lives and make our world a better place.”

The National Academy of Inventors and the Intellectual Property Owners Association have published its report annually since 2013 to highlight the vital role patents play in university research and innovation. Public and private research universities as well as university systems are included.

The top 10 universities worldwide in 2020, in order of ranking, are: The University of California System, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University, The University of Texas System, Johns Hopkins University, Purdue Research Foundation, Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, California Institute of Technology, Tsinghua University and Harvard College.

"The institutions included in this year's report are leading innovation worldwide through their encouragement of academic discovery and invention," said Paul R. Sanberg, president of the National Academy of Inventors. "We are proud to collaborate with the IPO for the ninth consecutive year to highlight universities that have made critical contributions to society."

Across the 13 UT institutions, research and development expenditures for FY 2020 totaled $3.4 billion, which reflects the commitment of UT institutions to improve Texans’ quality of life, advance treatments for deadly and debilitating diseases and expand the Texas economy.  

According to federally-sponsored research expenditures – the benchmark for research success at a university – the UT System is No. 1 in Texas and No. 2 in the nation.

About The University of Texas System

For more than 130 years, The University of Texas System has been committed to improving the lives of Texans and people all over the world through education, research and health care. With 13 institutions, an enrollment of more than 243,000 students and an operating budget of $21.7 billion (FY 2021), the UT System is one of the largest public university systems in the United States. UT institutions produce more than 64,000 graduates annually and award more than one-third of the state’s undergraduate degrees and more than half of its medical degrees. Collectively, UT-owned and affiliated hospitals and clinics accounted for more than 8.6 million outpatient visits and almost 1.8 million hospital days in 2020. UT institutions also are among the most innovative in the world, collectively ranking No. 4 for most U.S. patents granted in 2020, and the UT System is No. 1 in Texas and No. 2 in the nation in federal research expenditures. The UT System also is one of the largest employers in Texas, with more than 21,000 faculty – including Nobel laureates and members of the National Academies – and more than 85,000 health care professionals, researchers and support staff.

News Contact Information

Karen Adler: kadler@utsystem.edu • 512-499-4360 (direct) • 210-912-8055 (cell)