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Title: A New Strategic Approach to Technology Transfer

Author
item Bahar, Mojdeh
item Griesbach, Robert

Submitted to: Innovation Magazine
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/8/2017
Publication Date: 6/1/2017
Citation: Bahar, M., Griesbach, R.J. 2016. A New Strategic Approach to Technology Transfer. Innovation Magazine. 14(3).

Interpretive Summary: The principal goal of Federal research and development (R&D) is to solve problems for public benefit. Technology transfer, innovation, entrepreneurship: words and concepts that once belonged exclusively in the domain of private research enterprises, have quickly become part of everyday lexicon in Federal research. Technology transfer (TT) within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has always been a core part of its mission, but has usually been addressed after a research project is completed. As a result, TT may either not reach desired impact, or arrive at the scene when the technology is commercially non-viable or scientifically obsolete. In order to better help USDA scientists within the Agricultural Research Service reach the full impact of their research, we have adopted a new paradigm. In this new paradigm, TT is not an afterthought, but an essential and integrated part of the research process beginning when the research objectives are first conceived. By aligning TT with research objectives, the impact of research outcomes will be strengthened.

Technical Abstract: The principal goal of Federal research and development (R&D) is to solve problems for public benefit. Technology transfer, innovation, entrepreneurship: words and concepts that once belonged exclusively in the domain of private research enterprises, have quickly become part of everyday lexicon in Federal research. Technology transfer (TT) within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has always been a core part of its mission, but has usually been addressed after a research project is completed. As a result, TT may either not reach desired impact, or arrive at the scene when the technology is commercially non-viable or scientifically obsolete. In order to better help USDA scientists within the Agricultural Research Service reach the full impact of their research, we have adopted a new paradigm. In this new paradigm, TT is not an afterthought, but an essential and integrated part of the research process beginning when the research objectives are first conceived. By aligning TT with research objectives, the impact of research outcomes will be strengthened.