A new report from the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, Science: A New Golden Age, calls for stronger connections between federally funded research and private-sector innovation. It urges that the nation's scientific leadership be matched by faster prototyping, testing, manufacturing, and scaling of new technologies.
To achieve this, the report recommends expanding industry access to federal laboratory infrastructure, including national laboratories, NASA centers, and Department of War facilities. FLC Business directly supports this goal by providing a searchable database of federal laboratory technologies, facilities, expertise, and partnership opportunities.
The report also highlights key mechanisms for advancing private sector engagement such as CRADAs, licensing, Other Transaction Authority, SBIR/STTR, and public-private partnerships. The Federal Laboratory Consortium (FLC) offers practical resources to help labs and partners put these tools to use effectively, including the T2 Mechanisms chatbot, the Green Book app, the Learning Center, Lab Showcases, Member Connects, and industry events.
Connecting research, industry, facilities, and regional innovation ecosystems is central to the report's recommendations, and it is central to the FLC's mission to support federal technology transfer. Through its tools and programs, the FLC helps federal labs promote their capabilities, educate practitioners, and build partnerships across the public and private sectors.