Subcommittee Examines Ways to Improve Technology Transfer

On June 10 , the Research and Science Education Subcommittee reviewed the process of transferring knowledge and technology from academic researchers to the private sector and discussed ways to improve technology transfer. As the Committee with jurisdiction over the National Science Foundation (NSF), Subcommittee Members examined the role of NSF in technology transfer, beyond their support for basic research, including support for entrepreneurial education and proof of concept activities. Witnesses at the hearing suggested NSF expand its efforts to promote technology transfer by providing proof of concept or gap funding to basic research results that show commercialization potential and by providing faculty, post docs, graduate students, and undergraduate students with the opportunity to build their entrepreneurial and business-related skills. 

“ Let me begin by making one point clear: Our competitors have noticed how well our technology transfer system works, and many are trying to imitate it,” stated Subcommittee Chairman Daniel Lipinski. “Countries like China and members of the European Union are now investing heavily in their own R&D programs. Combined business and government spending on R&D in China, for instance, has been increasing by almost 20 percent a year over the past decade, and China has already overtaken Japan as the number two publisher of scientific articles.  They are determined to move up the value chain, and we need sustained investments and smart policies if we want to remain the world leader in science and technology.”

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Subcommittee Jurisdiction

Committee Rule 11(a)(3)

Legislative jurisdiction and general oversight and investigative authority on all matters relating to science policy and science education including:

1. the Office of Science and Technology Policy;
2. all scientific research, and scientific and engineering resources (including human resources), math, science and engineering education;
3. intergovernmental mechanisms for research, development, and demonstration and cross-cutting programs;
4. international scientific cooperation;
5. National Science Foundation, including earthquake programs;
6. university research policy, including infrastructure and overhead;
7. university research partnerships, including those with industry;
8. science scholarships;
9. computing, communications, and information technology;
10. research and development relating to health, biomedical, and nutritional programs;
11. to the extent appropriate, agricultural, geological, biological and life sciences research; and
12. materials research, development, and demonstration and policy.