OVPR supports and promotes UGA research and scholarly activity by administering sponsored programs; ensuring compliance with regulations; overseeing research funding and accounting; communicating research findings to lay audiences; enhancing the research infrastructure through laboratories and services; providing start-up funds to hire outstanding faculty; and fostering new start-up companies based on UGA discoveries. In cooperation with the University of Georgia Research Foundation, Inc., OVPR protects UGA intellectual property through such means as patents, trademarks, and seed and plant protections and works with industry to license intellectual property. Licensing and royalties generated more than $16.1 million in licensing income in 2007 (2007 AUTM survey).
