Certified Research Administrator Practice Exam

What was the first major technology transfer act that made it easier for federal laboratories to transfer technology to nonfederal entities?

1. Federal Technology Transfer Act of 1986

2. Technology Transfer Orders of 1968

3. Federal Laboratory Consortium

4. Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980

The correct answer is: Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980

The Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 was groundbreaking as it established a framework for improving the transfer of technology from federal laboratories to nonfederal entities. This act recognized the importance of leveraging government-funded research and development and aimed to facilitate collaboration between federal labs and the private sector, thus promoting the commercialization of innovations developed through federal funding. Key provisions of the act included the encouragement of partnerships between federal agencies and industry, and the authorization for federal laboratories to enter into cooperative research and development agreements (CRADAs). These CRADAs were instrumental in allowing commercial entities to work alongside government scientists, fostering an environment where public research could lead to practical applications in the market. This act can be seen as a pivotal moment, as it addressed barriers that previously impeded the flow of technology from government labs to private industry. It set the stage for future legislative actions, such as the Federal Technology Transfer Act of 1986, which expanded on these concepts, but the fundamental changes in policy and practice initiated by the Stevenson-Wydler act laid the groundwork for a more robust technology transfer system in the United States.