Working with NPS

At NPS, we leverage our world-class research and education to deliver impactful solutions for the Navy and DoD. Our students and faculty work on cutting-edge projects across every academic department, providing independent assessments, evaluating emerging technologies, and advancing R&D initiatives. With specialized facilities and a collaborative approach, we offer unique capabilities to meet defense and security challenges. If you’re looking to collaborate or want to know more about faculty eligibility for agency support, please contact us.
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Technology Transfer

The Technology Transfer Program at NPS was initiated in response to legislation passed to encourage the transfer of federally funded technologies to the private sector. The primary objectives of the T2 Program at NPS are to initiate partnerships with industry and/or academia, license existing technologies, and encourage and assist faculty and staff to transfer newly developed technologies to the private sector. 

NPS is aligned with many other activities to increase the effectiveness of its research and education programs. Relationships with DoD activities, state and local governments, and universities, as well as industrial partnerships can be established (as appropriate) through any of the following:

Cooperative Research and Development Agreement

A CRADA is a partnership between a Federal lab and a non-Federal entity for collaborative research aligned with the Federal lab’s mission. An LP-CRADA involves sharing equipment, data, or materials for independent research without joint work, with both parties benefiting from the results. Learn more about CRADAs at NPS.

Patents & Licensing

NPS has an extensive portfolio of over 100 patents covering important technological developments in a wide variety of scientific and engineering disciplines. All of these inventions are available for licensing. Learn more about NPS Patents & Licensing

Technical Services Agreement

Technical Services Agreements (TSAs) are used when there is no need for technical collaboration between NPS and the requesting entity. The entity making the request must agree that NPS’s entering into the agreement will not constitute undue competition with the private sector, and each agreement requires the requesting entity to agree to indemnify and hold harmless NPS and the United States except for willful misconduct or gross negligence in performance of the agreement.

A TSA allows a federal laboratory to provide testing services and access to unique government facilities or equipment to non-federal entities on a fee-for-service basis when excess capacity is available.

What a TSA Allows
  • Use of specialized facilities, equipment, or technical testing services
  • Reimbursement from non-federal partners for services performed
  • Performance of work using existing capabilities only
  • Support to external entities consistent with the laboratory’s mission
What a TSA Does Not Allow
  • Collaborative or joint research
  • Co-development of intellectual property
  • Shared research objectives or publications
  • Substitution for a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA)
Appropriate TSA Projects

TSA projects are limited to testing, evaluation, analysis, or use of existing facilities and equipment. Each agreement documents the scope of work, principal investigator(s), period of performance, and cost.

Eligible Non-Federal Partners
  • Large corporations
  • Small businesses
  • U.S. colleges or universities
  • State or local governments
  • Individuals
Funding and Certifications

All TSA costs must be reimbursed by the non-federal partner. Federal funds may not be used. Partners must certify that the work does not constitute undue competition with the private sector and does not require expansion of laboratory facilities or capabilities.

When to Use a TSA

A TSA is appropriate when an external entity requires access to unique government testing facilities or technical services without collaboration or joint research.

Educational Partnership Agreement

An EPA is designed to encourage and enhance study in scientific disciplines at all educational levels. Under an EPA, an educational institution can obtain loans or outright transfers of scientific equipment; obtain the services of NPS personnel as instructors of science courses or their assistance in development of science courses and materials; obtain sabbatical opportunities at NPS for faculty and internships for students; become involved in NPS projects including research as well as technology transfer/transition projects, along with the opportunity for students to obtain academic credit for participation in such projects; and obtain academic and career advice and assistance for students.

Educational institutions in the United States, including any local educational agency, colleges, or nonprofit (501c3) institutions dedicated to improving science, mathematics, and engineering, business, law, technology transfer or transition, and engineering education can participate in an EPA.

MOU/MOA

An MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) or MOA (Memorandum of Agreement) is a formal, non-binding agreement, between federal agencies, that outlines the roles, responsibilities, and expectations of the parties involved in a collaborative effort. It serves as a framework for cooperation and sets the terms for how each party will contribute to achieving specific goals, including timelines, resources, and deliverables. An MOU/MOA provides a clear understanding of mutual commitments and facilitates coordination between federal entities.

Internships

NPS nurtures a web of partnerships with almost 40 educational, research and governmental organizations in the greater Monterey Bay Area and throughout the nation. For more information about the STEM program and internship opportunities visit the STEM website.

Working w NPS

Memo from the Vice Provost of Research on working with NPS Faculty (Feb. 2023)

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