Technology Transfer and Commercialization Partnerships Report

Technology Transfer and Commercialization Partnerships (a Final report prepared for NSF Award EEC-041603, a grant from the NSF Partnerships for Innovation (PFI) Program entitled "Exploration of Broader Institution Participation in PFI”) highlights practices of emerging academic institutions that successfully transfer and commercialize innovations, even when faced with modest research budgets. The report provides findings, case studies of 10 institutions, and recommendations for academic leaders and national and state policy makers. Case studies include examples of effective research strategies, industry-university partnerships, technology transfer activities, and entrepreneurial initiatives. The report was written by Diane Palmintera, Innovation Associates, with a foreword by former NSF Director and President Emeritus of the University of California, Richard Atkinson.

This study was supported by the PFI Program in order to provide information relevant to the PFI Program's interest in stimulating innovation in a broad range of institutions across the nation; and three of the example institutions had PFI funding. The study contains findings to feed back to the PFI community and indeed will be of interest to all those who are concerned with the concept of Partnerships for Innovation led by academic institutions. The broader PFI community can be further informed by these findings. Moreover, its members can in turn deepen our understanding of technology transfer and commercialization partnerships across a broad spectrum of institutions.

PFI applicants, academic leaders and others interested in partnerships involving academic-based technology transfer and commercialization can answer the questions below to help determine their strengths, weaknesses, and readiness to participate in a successful process.

[Excerpted from Technology Transfer and Commercialization Partnerships]

• Has the institution identified core research strengths and does the institution have a strategy for building its research base?
• Is the institution’s president/chancellor supportive of technology transfer and is that support demonstrated in academic policies?
• Is there “buy-in” from academic deans and faculty researchers, and are there sufficient incentives to encourage “buy-in”?
• Does the institution have sufficient funding and staff to transfer and commercialize research?
• Do the institution’s hiring, promotion and intellectual property policies encourage faculty participation and promote excellence in technology transfer?
• Does the institution have the infrastructure and services, and/or linkages with external entrepreneurial resources to launch startups?
• Does the institution have an “entrepreneurial culture;” does it celebrate and reward entrepreneurial success?
• Are there effective research and commercialization relationships with industry; and is there sufficient flexibility and responsiveness to benefit both parties?
• Do the institution’s policies and practices focus on short-term technology transfer gains or promote long-term benefits?
• Are academic administrators aware of the benefits derived from engaging in technology transfer and entrepreneurial activities? Are state policy makers aware of the benefits?
• Does the institution work with state and local policy makers and organizations to develop and implement comprehensive strategies that support industry-university R&D partnerships, commercialization and entrepreneurship?

For in-depth discussion on these points and others, go to “Lessons and Recommendations” in the report Technology Transfer and Commercialization Partnerships.

To download the report go to http://InnovationAssoc.com to see the full report; to request a complimentary copy, email: pubs@innovationassoc.com and reference PFI.