SOLIDWORKS Research Edition
Dassault Systèmes | Website | Version 2026
Available For Use By
Students
Faculty
Staff
Permitted Uses
Research
Classwork
Administrative Use
Where It May Be Installed
University Owned Computers
Virtualized Environments
Personally Owned Computers
SOLIDWORKS Research Edition is intended for non-instructional, research-focused use at UT Austin. No watermarks, no light versions, no delayed release cycle, no commercial pricing—all the power you need to succeed. If your research involves developing Intellectual Property (IP), patents, externally funded projects or publishing the results of your projects, the SOLIDWORKS Research Edition is the perfect tool for the job. This is one of three versions (Education, Student, Research) of SOLIDWORKS licensed within Mechanical Engineering. Please see the SOLIDWORKS Information page for details on which version to use and how you can get access to it.
Appropriate Use Cases
This license is intended to support research activities that fall outside standard classroom instruction, including:
Research conducted by faculty, staff, postdoctoral scholars, or graduate students
Externally sponsored or funded research projects, including sponsored capstone projects that will transfer IP
Work involving patents, publications, or intellectual property development
Non-instructional activities not covered by the Education Edition license
Cost
Licenses are purchased through an authorized reseller. We do not have free Research licenses available for use at this time. Please contact ME IT at mech-it@austin.utexas.edu to request a quote.
How to Request Access
To request access to SOLIDWORKS Research Edition:
Email: mech-it@austin.utexas.edu
Include:
The name of your PI (if applicable)
The version (Standard, Professional, Premium) you are interested in
License type (prices vary):
Term license (3-month or 12-month) - usually a cheaper option for specific, shorter-term needs/projects.
Standalone license (one computer, one license, multi-user)
Single-user license (named user subscription)
Perpetual License w/ subscription services (aka software maintenance)
Floating network license (1+ license seat to be checked out to any number of computers, multi-user) - more expensive
Standalone license (one computer, one license, multi-user) - cheaper than network license.