Tampa, FL – Apri 16, 2026
The National Academy of Inventors (NAI) is proud to announce the release of this 2025 Top 60 Worldwide Non-Profit Research Institutions and Government Agencies List. This prestigious ranking, released annually, underscores the pivotal role that non-profit research institutions and government agencies play in advancing innovation that drives significant societal and economic benefits worldwide. See the full list here.
“The research and technology generated at non-profit institutions and government agencies play a vital role in our national and global economy and societal welfare,” said Paul R. Sanberg, FNAI, President of the NAI. “Their contributions to the innovation landscape at large are integral to the future of innovation, through investments in research and development, protection and commercialization of intellectual property, creating high-quality jobs, and fostering environments where invention is encouraged. We commend these institutions and agencies on their commitment to patenting their technologies, and the impact they are able to make through them.”
Collectively, the agencies and organizations on this year’s list hold over 5,500 patents and represent 17 countries. Through their commitment to protecting intellectual property with patents, they are ensuring that groundbreaking discoveries can be commercialized, leading to the development of new products and services that enhance productivity and competitiveness.
“Patents serve as a cornerstone of the innovation ecosystem, providing inventors and institutions with the incentive to invest time and resources into developing transformative technologies,” said Lisa Jorgenson, Deputy General Director of the Patents and Technology Sector at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). “The NAI continues to be an invaluable champion for inventors worldwide, and through initiatives like this, they are helping to shine a light on the critical role that intellectual property protection plays in ensuring groundbreaking discoveries can be translated into real-world solutions that benefit society on a global scale.”
Launched in 2024 covering the 2023 calendar year, the Top 60 Non-profit Research Institutions and Government Agencies ranking is meant to serve as an insight into the global innovation landscape and serve as a complement to NAI’s Top 100 Worldwide Universities ranking and the Top 100 US Universities ranking. Like the Top 100 rankings, the Top 60 list is created using calendar year data provided by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Learn more about the Top 60 Non-profit Research Institutions and Government Agencies List.
About the Top 60 Worldwide Non-Profit Research Institutions and Government Agencies Granted Utility Patents in 2025
The information provided in this list is based on data obtained from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Patents include only utility patents granted during the 2025 calendar year. All assignees are credited for patents when listed. The number of patents granted does not necessarily indicate the value of an institution’s technology, the effectiveness of its research, or whether its patents will be successfully licensed and/or brought to market. Some institutions may record patents under different, yet similar names or combine their patents under one foundation or trustee name. If you have questions please contact: [email protected]