Thus, collaboration between research at the university and development at the company facilitates the transfer of new technologies to the commercial sector . The resulting leveraging of funds and expertise benefits all parties and the public. In certain programs, federal agencies require applicants to present a technology transfer plan as part of their funding proposal. In these cases, universities seek potential licensees while the research is in progress. Gaining company participation at the early stage increases the likelihood that the company will grasp the commercial potential of the research and will help move inventions to the marketplace.
Universities increasingly try to foster ties with industry.
Bringing industry interests into university projects also contributes to placement of university graduates in industrial settings where their education and training is effectively used. Some state governments are also promoting industry-university ties. Receipt of state funds under this program in contingent upon industry participation in the research project. Return to Index 14. Universities generally apply the same policies and procedures to all inventions made at the institution, whether they result from federal or industrial funding.