Washington State University (WSU) reported $19.4 million in royalty revenue for the 2025 fiscal year, almost double the total recorded in FY24. Over the past decade, WSU innovations have generated more than $82 million through licensed products.
According to the university, apple cultivar WA 38, marketed as Cosmic Crisp, was the institution's highest-earning product in FY25. The variety generated more than $8 million in royalties during the year. WSU reports that more than 22 million Cosmic Crisp trees are currently planted across Washington State, with production still increasing as orchards mature.
© WSU
The annual U.S. Licensing Activity Survey conducted by the Association of University Technology Managers placed WSU above the median for institutions with comparable research expenditures in areas such as innovation disclosures, patent applications, and licensing income, despite having fewer licensing staff than many peer institutions.
WSU officials say part of their work now involves encouraging researchers to engage earlier in the patent and licensing process. They note that filing provisional patent applications before publication can help protect intellectual property while allowing researchers to present data and attract interest.
Royalty distribution at WSU follows Executive Policy 38, under which inventors receive 100 per cent of the first $10,000 in royalties generated by a patented product and 50 per cent of earnings thereafter. The remaining revenue is shared between the researcher's department or college and administrative and research funds. Different royalty structures apply to seed and vegetable crops under separate guidelines.
WSU's Innovation and Entrepreneurship office is preparing an outreach program to increase contact with departments across the university and provide more support for research translation and commercialization.
The university expects Cosmic Crisp royalties to continue growing as more orchards reach full production in the coming years.
For more information:
Pam Scott
Washington State University
Tel: +1 509 570 4610
Email: [email protected]
www.news.wsu.edu
