I found this topic interesting as I have worked in a research lab at NJIT. During my time there I did receive a grant that would partially cover some of the materials required for my project. I didn’t think about the possibility of an unexpected finding so I looked into NJIT’s policy regarding intellectual property. The policy clearly states that if research is funded substantially by NJIT and conducted by student employees then any of it’s findings are owned by NJIT. However, there was one part that covered findings that happen on a students own time, outside of NJIT research facilities. This part states “Any invention or discovery made while employed by or enrolled at NJIT and of a nature similar and/or related to the employee’s and/or student’s work or field of study at NJIT shall be presumed to have been made with “NJIT’s Resources” as defined herein.” So even if it is on your own time, if it has to do with your field of study NJIT owns it.”