As a result of the Federal Technology Transfer Act of 1986, government laboratories are authorized to enter into Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs) with private sector entities. Licensing agreements are usually incorporated into the CRADA document, which addresses patent rights attributable to research supported under the CRADA.
NCI retains a portion of the royalty income generated by the patents related to NCI-funded research. A major portion of this royalty income is used to reward employees of the laboratory, to further scientific exchange and for education and training in accordance with the terms of the Act. Receipts are also used to support the costs of processing and collecting royalty income and for expenses associated with technology transfer efforts in NCI and NIH.
Return to: 1998 Factbook, Budget Data