Kilmer Applauds Passage of Bill to Bring Scientific Research into the Marketplace

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, a major defense bill containing an initiative championed by Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA) to support the creation of small businesses passed the House of Representatives. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 (NDAA) contains funding for a pilot program within the Department of Defense (DOD) that would make it easier for businesses and entrepreneurs to utilize scientific research from the military. 

“Research conducted by and for the military has the potential to improve lives and create jobs,” said Kilmer. “Too often, entrepreneurs who come up with great ideas don’t have the chance to show investors how they could use it to start a new venture. Giving military facilities in the Pacific Northwest the ability to widen the impact of their innovations will help Washington state continue to be the center of America’s 21st century knowledge economy.”  

The DOD program will be authorized by funds allocated by the secretary of each service department to accelerate and increase the commercialization of research within that department. It will encourage the validation of concepts discovered in military facilities in a way that shows businesses and entrepreneurs that the research is financially viable in the private sector.  

“As one of America’s top federally-funded, public research universities and a leader in tech transfer and in moving innovations to positive impact, we understand how challenging it can be to transform basic research into commercial products and new businesses,” said Vikram Jandhyala, Vice Provost for Innovation at the University of Washington. “We have been happy to work with Representative Derek Kilmer to create a program that will bridge the ‘valley of death’ within one of the nation’s largest research agencies, the Department of Defense. We look forward to continuing our efforts with Representative Kilmer to allow more creative and innovation ideas make ever easier transitions from ideas into companies and jobs.”

“WSU is among the top land grant research universities in the US where internationally recognized faculty in many academic areas conduct cutting edge research resulting in discoveries and technologies with commercial potential,”  said Anson Fatland, Associate VP of Economic Development at WSU.  “We are grateful for Congressman Kilmer's leadership in ensuring that DOD has the tools to support the innovation and economic development in the Pacific Northwest.”

The final bill that passed the House also includes Kilmer-backed investments in key local military installations. The NDAA sets funding levels, expenditures, and other authorizations for the Department of Defense. The Senate is expected to consider the House passed bill before the end of the lame-duck session.

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