In plain terms. This 1980 law set a national policy of moving technology developed with federal money out to industry, universities, and state and local governments so it gets used.
Who it applies to. Federal research agencies, and the universities and nonprofits that partner with them on technology development.
What it requires.
- It created an Office of Industrial Technology and Centers for Industrial Technology (now Industry-University Cooperative Research Centers), established through the National Science Foundation, to advance innovation with university or nonprofit partners.
- A Center gets first pick to acquire technological developments made under its auspices and funded by the federal government; a party that disagrees with a Center's acquisition decision may seek fresh ("de novo") review in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims.
- The federal government must make full use of federally funded research and transfer federal technology to state and local governments.
Why it matters. It is a foundational federal technology-transfer statute, shaping how government-funded research reaches the private sector and who holds rights to it.
Citation. Pub. L. 96-480 (Oct. 21, 1980).
CRADA mechanisms; agency technology-transfer offices; later amendments (Federal Technology Transfer Act of 1986 and others).