Montana State University to Host New U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Hub
Montana State University (MSU) in Bozeman has been chosen as the site for a new Community Engagement Office by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. This office aims to bolster workforce development in Montana and the surrounding region, particularly in advanced manufacturing and computing fields.
This new office is part of a shift from the now-closed Rocky Mountain Regional Outreach Office in Denver. The decision to open several new Community Engagement Offices, starting with Montana, comes as the federal Patent and Trademark Office adapts to a reduced need for physical space.
MSU’s selection is based on its “robust research activity,” the presence of graduate programs leading to innovation, and its ability to commercialize technology effectively, as stated in a recent announcement by MSU. Although the exact opening date and campus location are undecided, MSU spokesperson Mike Becker anticipates the office will be operational within a year.
Once established, the Bozeman office will join Dallas and San Francisco as major centers west of the Mississippi for patent and trademark services, providing critical resources to inventors and startups. “We’re just thrilled to be the first announced for sure,” Becker commented.
Support and Impact
MSU President Brock Tessman emphasized the office’s role in aiding entrepreneurs and innovators throughout the Rocky Mountain West. He stated, “It will provide access to opportunity for first-time inventors, small business owners and students throughout the region, leading to the kind of growth and innovation that drives our region’s prosperity.”
MSU recently reported record research expenditure levels, totaling $288.7 million in 2025, supported largely by federal entities like the departments of Defense, Health and Human Services, and Agriculture. In advocating for Bozeman as a suitable location, Governor Greg Gianforte highlighted MSU’s status as a key research institution and the area’s emergence as a “growing tech hub corridor.”
Support for the new office also came from U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy, alongside various local organizations, including The Montana Photonics & Quantum Alliance and the Montana Chamber of Commerce. Governor Gianforte expressed that the new office “rightfully recognizes Montana’s growing advanced manufacturing and tech sectors.”
Research and Development at MSU
MSU has been actively involved in pioneering research initiatives. Its Accelerating Research Translation program, funded by the National Science Foundation, supports seed translational research projects. These efforts include developing a digital learning platform for students, creating wearable medical devices for rural patients, and advancing CRISPR gene-editing technology.
Moreover, MSU’s infrastructure includes partnerships like the Institute for National Security Research and Education and the TechLink Center, which facilitate technology transfer and national security advancements. In 2025, the Department of Defense designated MSU as a Defense Innovation Unit OnRamp Hub, further integrating the university with defense projects and Montana’s tech industry.
For more information, you can read the official announcement on the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office website.
