Brookhaven National Laboratory announced today that it will be one of eight national laboratories to implement a new pilot initiative making it easier for private companies to commercialize lab research.
While BNL, like other national lab facilities, currently has research agreements in place allowing private companies to work with its researchers to commercialize new discoveries, these agreements have been criticized for making the process too difficult.
Previously, companies wishing to partner with the laboratories for commercial research had two options: signing a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement or a Work For Others Agreement. The eight laboratories participating in this pilot program intend to offer a third, more flexible option: an Agreement to Commercializing Technology. Read more