The responsibility of the UAB Research Foundation (UABRF) is to identify, assess, protect, and market commercially viable intellectual property developed at The University of Alabama at Birmingham. The UABRF reviews intellectual property disclosures submitted by UAB associates and initiates steps to protect the rights of the discovery, including the filing of domestic and foreign patents, when appropriate.

The UABRF seeks, negotiates, manages, and monitors commercial licensing agreements on behalf of UAB and also ensures compliance with certain government regulations.