Working with NPS

Overview

NPS is a federally chartered graduate school whose function is to provide education to Naval officers and to conduct research in support of those curricular programs.

One of the major NPS goals is to provide cost-effective research and unique research laboratory facilities that permit students and faculty to support Navy/DoD needs. NPS provides independent assessments of proposed solutions to military issues, pre-deployment evaluation of new technologies, and combined student-faculty expertise for current research and development programs. Research is conducted in every academic department and in the research and education institutes.

If you have any questions about NPS or whether or not NPS faculty are eligible to compete for support from your agency, please contact us via the button below.

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CRADAs & LP-CRADAs

A Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) is an agreement between a Federal laboratory and a non-Federal party to perform collaborative research and development in any area that is consistent with the Federal laboratory’s mission. CRADAs are a frequently used mechanism for formalizing interactions and partnerships between private industry and the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS), and the only mechanism for receiving funds from non-Federal sources for collaborative work. Both parties to a CRADA may provide personnel, facilities, equipment, or other resources, but the government may not provide funding to non-federal entities under a CRADA.

Read more about CRADAs at NPS.

A Limited Partnership Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (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.

Read more about LP-CRADAs at NPS.

MOUs/MOAs

An MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) or MOA (Memorandum of Agreement) is a formal, non-binding agreement, between federal agencies, that outlines the roles, responsibilities, and expectations of the parties involved in a collaborative effort. It serves as a framework for cooperation and sets the terms for how each party will contribute to achieving specific goals, including timelines, resources, and deliverables. An MOU/MOA provides a clear understanding of mutual commitments and facilitates coordination between federal entities.

Read more about MOUs/MOAs at NPS.

Technology Transfer

The Technology Transfer Program at the Naval Postgraduate School was initiated in response to legislation passed to encourage the transfer of federally funded technologies to the private sector. The primary objectives of the Technology Transfer Program at NPS are to initiate partnerships with industry and/or academia, license existing technologies, and encourage and assist faculty and staff to transfer newly developed technologies to the private sector.

Read more about Tech Transfer at NPS.

Educational Partnership Agreement (EPA)

An EPA is designed to encourage and enhance study in scientific disciplines at all educational levels. Under an EPA, an educational institution can obtain loans or outright transfers of scientific equipment; obtain the services of NPS personnel as instructors of science courses or their assistance in development of science courses and materials; obtain sabbatical opportunities at NPS for faculty and internships for students; become involved in NPS projects including research as well as technology transfer/transition projects, along with the opportunity for students to obtain academic credit for participation in such projects; and obtain academic and career advice and assistance for students.

Educational institutions in the United States, including any local educational agency, colleges, or nonprofit (501c3) institutions dedicated to improving science, mathematics, and engineering, business, law, technology transfer or transition, and engineering education can participate in an EPA.

Technical Services Agreement (TSA)

Technical Services Agreements should be used when there is no need for technical collaboration between NPS and the requesting entity. The entity making the request must agree that NPS’s entering into the agreement will not constitute undue competition with the private sector, and each agreement requires the requesting entity to agree to indemnify and hold harmless NPS and the United States except for willful misconduct or gross negligence in performance of the agreement.

STEM Internships

NPS nurtures a web of partnerships with almost 40 educational, research and governmental organizations in the greater Monterey Bay Area and throughout the nation.  For more information about the STEM program and internship opportunities visit the STEM website.

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