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NASA Technology Partners
How to Partner with NASA
One of NASA's missions is to commercialize the technologies NASA researchers have created for space exploration. Technology transfer
can occur in a number of ways depending on the needs and expectations of the parties involved. NASA offers several partnering options
to accommodate the variety of circumstances presented by industry. While each mechanism has unique terms and conditions, all are
designed to help U.S. industry get the most benefit from NASA's cutting-edge technologies.
NASA Joint Sponsored Research Agreement This is a collaborative R&D effort under authority of the Space Act where NASA may provide resources, including funds, services, equipment, information, intellectual property or facilities, on a shared or pooled basis for the purpose of advancing mission goals and transferring the resulting technology to the private sector. Cash or in-kind contribution by the industry partner will be required and must be in reasonable proportion to funds committed by NASA. Cost sharing, payment schedules, and other financial arrangements, are in most cases, facilitated by the American Technology Initiative, Incorporated (an authorized non-profit facilitating the commercialization process) but are open to negotiation and can be structured in any matter agreeable to both parties within the confines of the law. IR&D funds can be allowable as part of cost sharing depending on the structure of the deal. Rights for inventions resulting from the cooperative effort are negotiable; at a minimum, however, the industry partner obtains commercial rights and NASA retains a limited purpose license for government use. Data rights are also negotiable; generally, the industry partner's proprietary information is exempt from release under FOIA. NASA generated "proprietary" data may be protected depending on circumstances. The duration of a JSRA shall be a minimum period of twelve months. Signatory authority resides with the Associate Administrators of The Office of Advanced Concepts and the Office of Aeronautics at NASA Headquarters. No goods or services are provided to NASA.
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