Accelerating Federal Technology Transfer (AFTT) Program | 2024 NIST AFTT 01

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Accelerating Federal Technology Transfer (AFTT) Program (NIST)

1) What is the Accelerating Federal Technology Transfer (AFTT) Program?

The AFTT Program is a National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) funding opportunity designed to strengthen how federal research and inventions move into real-world use. It focuses on improving outreach, training, best practices, and practical tools that help non-federal partners work more effectively with federal laboratories.

2) What is the main purpose of this funding opportunity?

The core aim is to promote, educate, and facilitate federal technology transfer by building better systems and pathways that move federally developed technologies, intellectual property (IP), and research resources into commercialization and broader public benefit.

3) Is this program funding new laboratory research?

No. The program is not focused on conducting new laboratory research. Instead, it is focused on improving the mechanisms, support structures, and processes that enable technology transfer and increase the practical usability of federal lab innovations for external partners.

4) What kinds of activities does AFTT support?

Activities emphasized in the opportunity include developing and sharing best practices, creating educational and outreach programs, and building tools and services that make it easier for external organizations to find, understand, and use federal technology transfer mechanisms.

5) What does the program mean by “technology transfer” in this context?

Based on the description provided, “technology transfer” refers to improving how federally developed technologies, IP, and federal research resources are identified, accessed, understood, and used by non-federal partners for commercialization and public benefit.

6) What is a “cooperative agreement,” and why does it matter here?

This opportunity is offered as a cooperative agreement. That means the selected awardee is expected to work closely with the Federal Laboratory Consortium (FLC) Executive Board, including NIST. Collaboration is central: the awardee is not operating independently but is co-developing deliverables with federal technology transfer leadership.

7) Who will the awardee collaborate with during the project?

The awardee is expected to work closely with the FLC Executive Board, including NIST, as part of the cooperative agreement structure.

8) What types of deliverables are expected under AFTT?

The description emphasizes deliverables such as best-practice resources, education and training programs/materials/services, outreach initiatives, and practical tools that reduce barriers and make federal technology transfer processes easier to navigate for non-federal partners.

9) Who is the program trying to help or serve?

The program is intended to help non-federal partners, especially industry and academia, engage more effectively with federal laboratories. It also references engagement with companies, universities, regional innovation organizations, and state and local governments.

10) What is meant by “education and training infrastructure” in this program?

A major component of AFTT is building education and training infrastructure for stakeholders involved in technology transfer and research commercialization. This includes creating programs, materials, and services that raise awareness and improve capabilities across the ecosystem (for example: researchers, tech transfer professionals, companies, universities, and regional innovation organizations).

11) Does the program emphasize outreach beyond a single region?

Yes. The opportunity highlights active engagement to widen access to federal R&D collaborations and technology transfer opportunities both regionally and nationally.

12) What practical barriers is the program trying to reduce?

The program emphasizes lowering barriers to engagement by making federal technology transfer processes clearer and more navigable for external partners, including helping them understand IP opportunities, connect to user facilities, and access other federal R&D resources that can support product development and commercialization.

13) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad and open to all non-federal entities. Examples listed include colleges and universities, nonprofit organizations, for-profit organizations, state and local governments, Indian tribes, hospitals, and foreign organizations.

14) Are individuals eligible to apply?

No. Individuals are not eligible because they do not meet the program definition of non-federal entities for this notice of funding opportunity.

15) Are unincorporated sole proprietors eligible to apply?

No. Unincorporated sole proprietors are not eligible because they do not meet the program definition of non-federal entities for this notice of funding opportunity.

16) Can federal agencies or federal entities apply?

No. Federal entities cannot receive funding under this competition.

17) Can federal entities participate in any way if they cannot receive funding?

Yes. Federal entities may participate as unfunded collaborators, which aligns with the program model of coordinated work across the federal technology transfer community.

18) What is the funding opportunity number for this solicitation?

The funding opportunity number listed is 2024 NIST AFTT 01.

19) What is the official name of the opportunity?

The opportunity is identified as the “Accelerating Federal Technology Transfer (AFTT) Program.”

20) What type of funding is this classified as?

It is categorized as discretionary funding.

21) What activity category does this opportunity fall under?

The opportunity sits under the science and technology and other research and development activity category.

22) What is the CFDA number associated with this program?

The CFDA number listed is 11.620.

23) What is the application deadline?

The application deadline listed is May 28, 2024.

24) How many awards does NIST expect to make under this solicitation?

NIST anticipates making a single award under this solicitation (expected awards: 1).

25) Is the maximum award amount (award ceiling) provided?

No. The award ceiling is not provided in the source text. Applicants would need to review the full notice for budget limits.

26) Where can applicants find details like the period of performance and required deliverables?

The source text notes that applicants would need to review the full notice for budget limits, period of performance, and specific required deliverables.

27) Does this program focus on helping organizations access federal IP and facilities?

Yes. The description highlights practical enablement such as helping non-federal partners navigate federal IP opportunities, connect to user facilities, and access other federal R&D resources that can support product development and commercialization.

28) Is active engagement with industry and academia part of the expectation?

Yes. The program prioritizes active engagement with industry and academia (as well as state and local governments) to widen access to federal R&D collaborations and technology transfer opportunities.

29) What is the intended impact of the AFTT program?

The intended impact is to increase the reach and usability of federal laboratory innovations by improving education, outreach, and tools, and by making engagement with federal technology transfer mechanisms easier for external partners.

30) Does the awardee operate independently under this program?

No. The program description emphasizes that the awardee collaborates closely with the FLC Executive Board, including NIST, and co-develops deliverables with federal technology transfer leadership.