Technology Transfer of Federally Funded R&D: Perspectives from a Forum

The conference papers described in this report were prepared for the Office of Science and Technology Policy under Contract 9182731. RAND is a nonprofit institution that helps improve policy and decisionmaking through research and analysis. RAND ® is a registered trademark. RAND's publications do not necessarily reflect the opinions or policies of its research sponsors. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form by any electronic or mechanical means (including photocopying, recording, or information storage and retrieval) without permission in writing from RAND. The RAND conference proceedings series makes it possible to publish conference papers and discussions quickly by forgoing formal review, editing, and reformatting. Proceedings may include materials as diverse as reproductions of briefing charts, talking points, or carefully written scientific papers. Citation and quotation is permitted, but it is advisable to check with authors before citing or quoting because of the informal nature of the material. The United States has long been a leader in creating and developing new technologies that advance understanding of the world around us, solve complex problems, keep the nation's industries competitive, and improve society's quality of life. By funding research, the federal government has played a major role in helping to create these new technologies. At the same time, the government has encouraged individuals and organizations to embrace and use knowledge that flows from federally funded research results to develop new products. This process is the essence of technology transfer. By understanding technology transfer, the government can increase the benefits it accrues from its investment in new technologies. The President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) was asked to examine the nature of technology transfer resulting from federally funded research and development (R&D). Generally speaking, technology transfer involves generating innovative ideas through the sharing of relevant knowledge and through the sharing of facilities among federal laboratories, universities, industry, and government, and commercializing those ideas in the form of goods and services. Often, the process of technology transfer uses technology, expertise, and facilities not only to solve a specific problem but also to facilitate its application to purposes not originally intended by the developing organization. In either case, these efforts can result in commercialization of a new product or process, or product and process improvements. As part of its deliberations, PCAST asked RAND to host a one-day forum on the transfer of technologies developed with federal …