A Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) is a partnership between a Federal lab and a non-Federal entity for collaborative research aligned with the Federal lab’s mission.

A Limited Purpose Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (LP-CRADA) involves sharing equipment, data, or materials for independent research without joint work, with both parties benefiting from the results.

LP-CRADAS

Using Title 15 U.S.C. § 3710a (1995) statutory authority, an LP-CRADA is an agreement between a Federal laboratory and a non-Federal party for an exchange of existing equipment, data or material that the parties need for their own research, test, evaluation, development or engineering activities. There is no joint work performed under the LP-CRADA; however, there is a mutual interest in the results. Data and intellectual property of all parties is protected.

LP-CRADAs are to be used when a Federal laboratory and a non-Federal party both have an interest in the research outcome. A report of all collaborators on the results of the research is required. The key is that the Provider has equipment or material that the parties want evaluated or used by the Recipient. Acceptable collaborative purposes include determining suitability of the equipment or material for the Recipient’s purpose or to determine if there is mutual interest or need for a more formal CRADA, a licensing agreement or procurement.

An LP-CRADA is not a substitute for a Technical Services Agreement.

Who may participate in a CRADA or LP-CRADA?

CRADAs and LP-CRADAS must involve at least one non-federal party. In addition to NPS researchers, the other participants in a CRADA or LP-CRADA may be one or more of the following:

• Private corporations (U.S. or foreign)
• Nonprofit and not-for-profit institutions (U.S. or foreign) including universities and foundations
• State and local governments (U.S.)
• Individuals (U.S. or foreign)

Memo from the Vice Provost of Research on working with NPS Faculty (Feb. 2023)