In 2022, more United States utility patents were granted to the UC than any other higher education institution in the world, according to a ranking by the National Academy of Inventors.

The University was granted 570 utility patents – which are given upon the creation of a new or improved invention, such as a process or machine – over the course of the year. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which was ranked second, received 343 patents.

The UC has been the top recipient of patents each year since 2013, which was when the first ranking was published. However, there has been a steady decrease in the number of patents granted to the UC since 2019 when it was granted 631. It was granted 589 patents in 2021.

Other California institutions also ranked in the top 100. Stanford University ranked sixth with 184 patents, the California Institute of Technology ranked ninth with 164 patents, and the University of Southern California ranked 42nd with 75 patents, tying with Ohio State University.

“The UC system has a vibrant culture of innovation, entrepreneurship and cross-disciplinary collaboration across our 10 campuses, so it’s gratifying to see that reflected in this ranking from the National Academy of Inventors,” said Theresa Maldonado, the UC’s vice president for research and innovation, in a press release. “As a public institution, our faculty and researchers are working to improve lives every day with their groundbreaking work.”