“Technology transfer is the process by which existing knowledge, facilities, or capabilities developed under federal research and development funding are utilized to fulfill public and private needs.”
NOAA's laboratories and science centers located around the United States regularly produce innovative research and development products in support of NOAA's mission of of understanding and predicting changes in climate, weather, oceans, and coasts, and in the conservation and management of marine ecosystems and resources. An equally important part of NOAA's mission is sharing the knowledge and innovations we develop with the public. NOAA's Technology Transfer Program is one of the focal points for managing this part of NOAA's mission.
The Technology Transfer Program under the Technology Partnerships Office (formerly the Office of Research and Technology Applications or ORTA) is responsible for overseeing NOAA's full portfolio of innovations, including patents, patent license agreements, and cooperative research and development agreements, with the goal of ensuring a rapid and cost-effective transfer to, and where possible, commercialization of, these technologies by U.S. industry.
Legislative Authorities
The work of the Tech Transfer Program is governed primarily by the Bayh-Dole Act of 1980 and the Technology Transfer Act of 1986, and is codified in Title 14 (Commerce and Trade) , Chapter 162 (Technology and Innovation) of the United States Code. When done effectively, technology transfer benefits the government, industry, and the public, by leveraging public expenditures in federal research and development to improve U.S. competitiveness and build the U.S. economy.
More Information
For NOAA scientists and engineers, this section contains the basic information you will need to know about Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs), patents, and licensing agreements, and special studies agreements. You can also contact our office directly for personal assistance with these and other issues related to intellectual property and technology transfer.
For U.S. companies seeking more information about NOAA's capabilities and mission areas for partnership and technology transfer, please visit our capabilities and open opportunities pages or contact our office at 301-713-3565.
For additional training please visit the Federal Labs Consortium Introduction to Technology Transfer.