United States Federal Laboratory Consortium

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Stored: Federal Laboratory Consortium

Federal Laboratory Consortium
Type Program
Sponsor Organization Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer
Top Organization None
Creation Legislation Federal Technology Transfer Act of 1986
Website Website
Purpose Federal Laboratory Consortium links 300+ federal labs with industry and academia to transfer tech, boosting U.S. competitiveness and innovation.
Program Start 1974
Initial Funding Not publicly specified
Duration Ongoing
Historic No

The Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer (FLC) is a U.S.-based nationwide network of federal laboratories that provides a forum to develop strategies and opportunities to help transfer laboratory mission technologies into commercial products for the global marketplace.

The FLC was organized in 1974 and formally chartered by the Federal Technology Transfer Act of 1986.[1] Its host agency is the National Institute of Standards and Technology.[2] More than 250 federal laboratories and centers and their parent departments and agencies are currently FLC members. In accordance with the Act and related federal policy, the FLC's mission is to promote and facilitate the rapid movement of federal laboratory research results and technologies into the mainstream of the U.S. economy.

Specifically, the FLC develops and tests transfer methods, addresses barriers to the process, provides training, highlights grass-roots transfer efforts, and emphasizes national initiatives in which technology transfer has a role. For the public and private sectors, the FLC brings laboratories together with potential developers and users of government-owned technologies. The FLC seeks to add value to the federal agencies, laboratories, and their partners to accomplish the rapid integration of research and development resources into commercial products. The Consortium's vision is to actively promote the fullest application and use of federal research and development by providing an environment for successful technology transfer, thereby enhancing the socioeconomic well-being of the United States in the world.[3]

Background

It is a nationwide network established to accelerate the transfer of cutting-edge technologies from federal laboratories to the marketplace, fostering innovation and economic growth across the United States. Founded in 1974 and formally chartered by the Federal Technology Transfer Act of 1986, the FLC links over 300 federal labs—including key DOE National Laboratories like Argonne, Oak Ridge, and NETL—with businesses, universities, and entrepreneurs, facilitating collaborations that have earned DOE labs numerous FLC awards, such as the 12 received in 2021 for advancements like lithium-ion battery improvements.[4] With a 50-year legacy celebrated at its 2024 National Meeting in Dallas, it continues to evolve, supporting initiatives like the DOE’s Energy I-Corps program.

Official Site

Goals

  • Enhance technology transfer by linking federal lab innovations with commercial applications.
  • Educate and train lab personnel and industry partners on commercialization processes.
  • Strengthen U.S. competitiveness by deploying solutions in energy, health, and security.[5]

Organization

The Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer operates as a self-governing network, managed by an elected Executive Board drawn from its member labs and agencies, with Paul Zielinski serving as Executive Director as of 2025.[6] While not under a single Cabinet agency, it includes significant DOE participation via labs sponsored by the Office of Science and other offices. Funding derives from member agency contributions, including DOE’s Office of Technology Transitions, supporting events, awards, and resources like the Lab Partnering Service.

Partners

History

The FLC began informally in 1974 as labs sought to share technologies, gaining formal status with the Federal Technology Transfer Act of 1986, which mandated federal agencies to promote tech transfer.[7] Early efforts focused on DOE and NASA innovations, with milestones like the 1986 charter and the 2016 National Meeting in Chicago emphasizing commercialization. Marking 50 years in 2024, it has adapted to modern needs, integrating tools like webinars and podcasts (e.g., "The Transfer Files") to spotlight labs like Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory.

Funding

Initial funding in 1974 was not publicly detailed, relying on ad hoc agency support until the 1986 Act formalized contributions.[8] Today, it’s sustained by member dues and federal budgets, including DOE’s technology transfer allocations (e.g., $45 million in FY 2023 for OTT), with no end date as it aligns with ongoing innovation mandates. Costs support training, awards like the 2021 DOE recognitions, and digital platforms.

Implementation

The FLC implements its mission through regional and national meetings (e.g., April 2024 in Dallas), awards programs recognizing tech transfer excellence, and online tools like the Lab Partnering Service.[9] It operates continuously, evolving with initiatives like NM LEEP for deep tech entrepreneurs, with no fixed end, adapting to lab and market needs.

Related

Legislation

External links

Social media


References

  1. ↑ http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/D?d099:32:./temp/~bdADeP:@@@L&summ2=m&%7C/bss/99search.html%7C[permanent dead link]
  2. ↑ [1] Archived May 15, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  3. ↑ "About the FLC". Federallabs.org. http://www.federallabs.org/home/about. 
  4. ↑ "FLC Overview". Department of Energy. https://www.energy.gov/technologytransitions/federal-laboratory-consortium. 
  5. ↑ "About FLC". Federal Laboratory Consortium. https://federallabs.org/about. 
  6. ↑ "FLC Leadership". Federal Laboratory Consortium. https://federallabs.org/leadership. 
  7. ↑ "FLC Overview". Department of Energy. https://www.energy.gov/technologytransitions/federal-laboratory-consortium. 
  8. ↑ "About FLC". Federal Laboratory Consortium. https://federallabs.org/about. 
  9. ↑ "2024 FLC Meeting". Department of Energy. https://www.energy.gov/technologytransitions/articles/saddle-2024-flc-national-meeting-dallas. 

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