Aerial view of Marshall Space Flight Center

Marshall’s technology transfer mission is to provide leveraged technology alternatives for Mission Directorates, Programs, and Projects through joint partnerships with industry, academia, government agencies and national laboratories. Our responsibilities encompass:

• Evaluating the commercial potential of Marshall technologies
• Evaluating Marshall technology needs
• Finding technology licensees and partners
• Negotiating agreements
• Publicizing Marshall’s technology transfer successes
• Seeking awards and recognition for Marshall innovators and successes
• Overseeing Marshall’s software release process

Initiatives that we lead include:

• Technology licensing
• Technology partnering and infusion
• SBIR/STTR program

Our team manages the Marshall Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs. The purposes of the SBIR and STTR programs are to stimulate technological innovation in the private sector to increase the commercial application of these research results; and to encourage participation of socially and economically disadvantaged persons and women-owned businesses.

We also work to develop partnerships with external organizations—companies, universities, other federal agencies, and national labs—leveraging both the partner’s expertise and facilities as well as Marshall’s. Partnerships enable Marshall to leverage technology being developed externally and infuse it into Marshall’s programs.

When Marshall innovators report new technologies, we evaluate those technologies for possible commercial licensing. We actively market technologies that show a high degree of potential, creating appropriate marketing collateral, seeking out prospective licensees, and negotiating win-win deals.