Different Kinds of Technology Transfer

Categories and Definitions

Intramural: Within the “walls” of an institution or company.

Extramural: Outside the “walls” of an institution or company. Between a company or institution and the
rest of the world.
Public / Private: Distinguishes the source of revenue for the development (or transfer) of technologies
Technology Sectors: Health, Agriculture, Industry, Business

First World / Third World: distinguishes between geopolitical regions based on the level of industrial
development and the standard of living.

Transfer between different functions within a company or institution

Transfer between a company or institution and the rest of the world
Transfer from publicly funded research to the private sector
Transfer from the first world to the third world

Issues: Education of consumers

Training and education of technology workers
Maintenance of the technology over time
Economic fairness or equity: who gets access to or benefits from the technology

Examples of Tech Transfer Centers or Organizations

National Technology Transfer Center

Mission
The NTTC will strengthen US industrial competitiveness by promoting the efficient identification,
management, development and commercialization of marketable research and technologies.

University of California Office of Technology Transfer (UC-OTT)

Oversees UC systemwide efforts to encourage the use of University research results for the public benefit.
OTT focuses on patenting and licensing inventions and in working with industry in support of the
University's education, research, and public service mission.

The Technology Transfer Information Center (TTIC)

Helps to promote the rapid conversion of federally-developed inventions into commercial products by
"getting the results of research into the hands of those individuals and organizations who can put it into
practical use."
To accomplish these goals the Center provides a variety of services to professionals involved in the
innovation process, including:
Information Support Systems for the Agricultural Research Service (ARS)
Transferring Technologies for Industry
Reference
Collection Development
Facilitate Information Exchange
Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer (FLC)
ATTRA—Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas—
Is the national sustainable farming information center operated by the private nonprofit National Center for
Appropriate Technology (NCAT). ATTRA provides technical assistance to farmers, Extension agents,
market gardeners, agricultural researchers, and other ag professionals in all 50
states. Topics addressed by ATTRA can be categorized into three broad areas:

?? sustainable farming production practices

?? alternative crop and livestock enterprises
?? innovative marketing

Technical assistance, publications, and resources are provided free of charge to appropriate users.

NASA's Technology Transfer

In simplest terms, NASA's technology transfer is the process by which space technology developed
by NASA is transfered to businesses for another purpose.
Click here to view an introductory presentation: Low Bandwidth | High Bandwidth.
What are the benefits technology transfer?

?? Stimulates our economy.

?? Increases competitiveness within the private sector.
?? Gains visibility within the technical community.
?? Benefits professionally and financially.
?? Promotes innovation and creativity with NASA technology.
?? Allows the use of NASA's vast technical resources.

There are several ways in which Private companies can work with NASA and reap the many
benefits. Learn more about licensing opportunities and small business research & development
programs, receive technology assistance, and tap into some of the most technologically advanced
resources in the United States at NASA.

Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer

The mission of the FLC is to add value to the federal agencies, laboratories, and their partners to
accomplish the rapid integration of research and development resources within the mainstream of
the U.S. economy.

The Addiction Technology Transfer Centers (ATTC)

Is a nationwide, multi-disciplinary resource that draws upon the knowledge, experience and latest
work of recognized experts in the field of addictions. Although the size and areas of emphasis of the
individual Centers may vary, each is charged as is the Network collectively with three key
objectives:

?? to increase the knowledge and skills of addiction treatment practitioners from multiple
disciplines by facilitating access to state-of-the-art research and education;
?? to heighten the awareness, knowledge, and skills of all professionals who have the
opportunity to intervene in the lives of people with substance use disorders;
?? to foster regional and national alliances among practitioners, researchers, policy makers,
funders, and consumers to support and implement best treatment practices.
The NIH Office of Technology Transfer (OTT)
Evaluates, protects, monitors, and manages the NIH invention portfolio to carry out the mandates of
the Federal Technology Transfer Act of 1986. This is largely accomplished through overseeing
patent prosecution, negotiating and monitoring licensing agreements, and providing oversight and
central policy review of Cooperative Research and Development Agreements. OTT also manages
the patent and licensing activities for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). OTT is responsible
for the central development and implementation of technology transfer policies for four research
components of the PHS — the NIH, the FDA, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

Oregon State University: Introduction to Technology Transfer

Mission
The mission of the Office of Technology Transfer is to bring technologies from Oregon State
University into public use; thereby providing economic development assistance to state and federal
agencies and Oregon companies to benefit Oregon constituents, providing service to faculty and
departments including education on patent, copyright and licensing issues, assisting in identifying,
protecting, developing and transferring technology to the private sector and generating income.

Background
The Bayh-Dole Act of 1980 permits universities to own inventions spawned by their faculty and
staff who have conducted research under U.S. Government sponsorship. The University is also
permitted to transfer ownership of inventions to its inventors. Previously, all rights to such new
inventions belonged to the sponsoring agency. The law was intended to foster technological
innovation and provide additional incentive to universities and researchers to assist the commercial
development of government-sponsored research.