On October 28, 2011, following a series of reports identifying the status of technology transfer from federal funds and federal laboratories, the White House issued the Presidential Memorandum – Accelerating Technology Transfer and Commercialization of Federal Research in Support of High-Growth Businesses” (attachment 1). The memorandum requires federal agencies – within 180 days -- to submit 5-year plans to accelerate technology transfer and commercialization, and to report annually on progress toward achieving these goals.
The principal goal of Federal research and development (R&D) is to solve problems and achieve anticipated public benefit. The U.S. Department of Agriculture views the Presidential Memorandum with a broad interpretation, defining technology transfer as the adoption of research outcomes (i.e., solutions) for public benefit. Seemingly a simple statement, that process of adoption is complicated, requiring integration of many assets from disparate sources in the successful delivery of solutions through public / private partnerships.
Successful adoption of USDA knowledge and research outcomes typically requires complementary assets and services provided by multiple agencies in USDA, including agencies that are not primarily engaged in direct research in the physical and life science arenas. The breadth of scope of USDA science and technology (S&T) agencies – spanning the mission areas of four Under Secretaries -- creates some unique challenges. USDA R&D is conducted in agencies with responsibilities ranging from 100% intramural research (e.g., ARS), agencies with units dedicated 100% to research (e.g., APHIS-Wildlife Services- National Wildlife Research Center), to agencies with “methods development” research elements but also regulatory responsibilities (e.g., APHIS-Veterinary Services, and APHIS-Plant Protection and Quarantine) as well as those agencies entrusted with land management responsibilities, including natural resources preservation (e.g., Forest Service).
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