Author
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Johnsen, Peter |
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Watkins, C - Andrew |
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Submitted to: Annual Meeting and Expo of the American Oil Chemists' Society
Publication Type: Abstract Only Publication Acceptance Date: 5/14/1997 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: USDA laboratories have a long history of productive interactions with industry, from cooperative fundamental research through the refinements required during the commercial development of a new technology. However, Federal support for research in agriculture has been stagnant in real dollars for 20 years and, even with private investments in research increasing, are insufficient to meet the anticipated needs of a growing population. Given this, it is more important than ever that public and private research efforts complement and enhance each other to develop creative solutions for current and anticipated national agricultural problems. Recent legislation provides several ways to achieve effective public-private partnerships in developing and commercializing technologies originating in Federal laboratories. These mechanisms for public-private partnerships include information sharing, personnel exchanges, technical assistance, use of unique Federal facilities or expertise, cooperative research and development arrangements, and licensing of Federal intellectual property, i.e., patents. There are now enhanced opportunities for research and capital support for companies working with Federal technologies. We have also initiated joint efforts among Federal laboratories, state agencies, trade associations, industry groups, and venture funds to locate and foster company formation for technology development and implementation. We expect that combining these new approaches with our new pilot plants for cooperative technology maturation and commercial development will result in even more effective and efficient partnerships for the rapid commercialization of Federal technologies to meet national needs. |
