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Technology transfer is difficult to define concisely due to the different types of participating organizations, their differing motivations and objectives, and the diverse mechanisms they use to achieve this process. A short but comprehensive definition follows:
Technology transfer is the process of sharing, developing, or transmitting ideas, data, information, and technology between government agencies, industry, and academia.
Federal agencies, industry, and educational institutions each have different perspectives on technology transfer. This T2 handbook reflects the perspective of the Air Force and more generally that of the Department of Defense (DoD).
T2 helps the Air Force achieve its mission by enabling it to leverage the innovative skills, resources, and capabilities of non-government entities, principally industry and academia.
For example, T2 enables the Air Force to jointly develop critically needed new technology in collaboration with businesses and universities; transfer its inventions to industry for final development and manufacture; and develop, recruit, and diversify its scientific and professional workforce by collaborating with colleges and universities.
With the help of technology transfer, companies from all sizes have worked together with DOD and VA laboratories in order to greatly reduce time and resources spent on research and development so as to introduce new products and services quickly and effectively into the market.
U.S. Investment in R&DFederal research and development efforts strengthen the U.S. innovation base and promote job growth, national security, and leadership in essential and emerging technologies.
Tech Transfer Enables Private Sector Opportunity U.S. policies and legislation over the decades have established a framework for the federal government to transfer its technology to the private sector. These laws enable the nation’s investment in R&D to promote economic development and invite private sector investment.
Get Products to Market with Speed and Efficiency Technology transfer mechanisms like licensing allow U.S. companies to develop and commercialize products derived from government-funded R&D advances.
Move Technology from Lab to Market Technology transfer moves technology from lab to market, meeting global and national challenges with solutions that promote economic growth and secure our future.
In addition to the compelling mission-related reasons for the Air Force to engage in T2, there also is a legal obligation.
Federal agencies are required by law (15 USC §3710) to attempt to transfer their inventions to industry “to ensure the full use of the results of the Nation’s Federal investment in research and development.” This mandate obliges all federal labs to establish dedicated T2 offices and personnel, makes T2 the responsibility of every lab scientist and engineer, and requires federal agencies to annually report their T2 metrics to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) as part of their annual budget submission. Additional legislation (10 USC §2514) specifically directs DoD to attempt to transfer its inventions to the U.S. industrial base.
Complementing these seminal laws are nearly forty years of federal legislation, executive orders, and Presidential memoranda as well as DoD’s own directives, memoranda, instructions, and other issuances.
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