SBIR/STTR Statute 15 U.S.C. 638(e)(8)

"The term research institution means a nonprofit institution, as defined in section 4(5) of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 [see below], and includes federally funded research and development centers, as identified by the National Science Foundation in accordance with the governmentwide Federal Acquisition Regulation issued in accordance with section 35(c)(1) of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act (or any successor regulation thereto)."

Section 4(5) of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act [15 U.S.C. 3703(5)], defines nonprofit institution as: "an organization owned and operated exclusively for scientific or educational purposes, no part of the net earnings of which inures to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual."

The purpose of STTR is to create, for the first time, an effective vehicle for moving ideas from our nation's research institutions to the market, where they can benefit both private sector and military customers. A written agreement between the small business and research institution allocating intellectual property rights is a requirement for participation in STTR (see Model Agreement for the Allocation of Rights [PDF, 82.9KB]).