TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER INNOVATION AWARD

Technology Transfer Innovation Award

Award Category Description

The FLC Technology Transfer Innovation Award recognizes federal laboratories that successfully implemented innovative or unconventional technology transfer approaches that resulted in a significant increase in technology transfer activities. This award will be based on programs and mechanisms implemented during the last five fiscal years. To be eligible, the federal laboratory must never have received a national FLC award for the nominated innovative tech transfer effort.

Below are examples of types of programs and mechanisms that exemplify this category:

Internal engagement programs: Programs designed and implemented to encourage tech transfer activity within the laboratory or agency (e.g., increasing the reporting of inventions, inventor/lab involvement in tech transfer, or technology readiness).

External engagement programs: Programs designed to identify suitable partnerships and increase collaborations and licensing activity/commercialization of an agency or laboratory's technology portfolio (e.g., startup challenges, outreach programs).

Internal and external engagement programs: Programs aimed at engaging inventors in the commercialization process, while also engaging the community and potential licensees about available federal technologies and opportunities.

Tools and mechanisms: Novel use of technology transfer mechanisms and authorities to aid in the commercialization of federal technologies.

Explore past Technology Transfer Innovation Award winners here.

Submission Criteria

All FLC Awards submissions must be submitted through the lab’s designated agency or laboratory representative.

  1. Describe the innovative program or tool and when it was first implemented, why it was created, and the innovative approach to address the technology transfer-related need.
  2. Describe the specific roles and contributions of each nominee organization and key staff involved. You must include the innovation demonstrated by the nominee(s) in developing the program or tool, the role of the technology transfer office, and the technology transfer mechanisms utilized to achieve the goals of the initiative.
  3. Describe what has been the impact on the federal laboratory and/or economic benefit of the initiative to date, how that impact is determined, and any public gains achieved. If significant future impact, economic benefit, or public gains are anticipated, please describe the specific outcome(s) sought and provide approximate timeframes. When possible, please provide metrics, data/statistics, and other realized outcome(s).

Note: The judges will have a wide range of backgrounds and expertise. Accordingly, please use non-technical language to the extent possible and explain technical terms where needed. Use clear, concise language in all narrative descriptions.