Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) at
Links and Resources
Authority
- Federal Technology Transfer Act of 1986, P.L. 99-502
National Competitiveness Technology Transfer Act of 1989, P.L. 101-189
National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995, P.L. 104-113
DOE O 483.1
Description
- A CRADA is a legal agreement between government laboratories and nonfederal parties in which both participants agree to collaborate by providing personnel, services, facilities, or equipment, and pool the results from a particular research and development program.
Features/Characteristics
A CRADA requires R&D participation by industry partners.
Often accompanied by a license or option agreement.
Industry partners must agree to "substantial U.S. manufacture" of resulting products and services, or provide an alternative benefits declaration.
DOE must approve a Joint Work Statement and the CRADA before work is initiated.
I.P. and Resource Commitment
The nonfederal parties must provide funds or in-kind contributions.
The laboratory cannot pay out funds to the industry partner.
Rights to inventions and other intellectual property are negotiated between the laboratory and participant, and certain data that are generated may be protected for up to five years. In many instances, each party receives title to the intellectual property created or invented by its employees.
The U.S. government usually opts to retain a nonexclusive, paid-up, royalty-free, worldwide irrevocable license to use or have used and to manufacture or have manufactured (for government purposes) intellectual property developed under the agreement.
Other Agencies/Laboratories That Use This Mechanism
