Marshall’s Technology Transfer Office actively promotes infusion partnerships between industry, academia, and other government agencies and Marshall’s researchers, leveraging Marshall’s technology, expertise, and facilities to solve technological challenges for NASA and its partners.

NASA’s infusion partnership efforts employ the open innovation approach – leveraging external ideas to develop novel solutions that meet NASA’s needs as well as have applications in other industries – and then infusing those technologies into NASA programs.

Infusion provides Marshall with a cost-effective and efficient means of leveraging technologies being developed by industry, academia, other government agencies, and other NASA centers to meet the needs of its missions.

• An opportunity to grow or sustain their business through further development, enhancement, or refinement of the jointly-developed technology
• The opportunity to leverage Marshall’s facilities and expertise during further technology development
• Shared up-front investment and risk with NASA
• The potential for an ongoing relationship with Marshall by acquiring insight into NASA challenges and requirements

Infusion partnerships at Marshall are typically formalized in a Space Act Agreement, which is a vehicle for working with NASA—not a procurement contract. Depending on the nature of the project, a Space Act Agreement may be reimbursable, in which case the external party reimburses Marshall for Marshall’s labor, equipment, and/or facilities, or non-reimbursable, in which case each party contributes to the project at its own expense.

Considerations for Partnerships

We encourage organizations interested in partnerships to review the considerations below, our Frequently Asked Questions page, and the Space Act Agreements Guide. (link opens new browser window)

• What specifically do you want to accomplish through this partnership?
• Is there a demonstrable Marshall mission or program requirement for this activity? Could other Mission Directorates or centers benefit?
• What Marshall support are you seeking?
  – Access to Marshall researchers
  – Access to Marshall facilities
  – Access to Marshall equipment
• Are the resources or expertise that you are seeking from Marshall unique to Marshall (i.e., not generally commercially available)?
• What unique capabilities/facilities does Marshall have that you feel are critical for a successful partnership?
• What will you contribute to the partnership?
• How will you demonstrate to Marshall your ability to meet your requirements—both expertise and financial—under the partnership?
• Is your contribution to the project equitable in comparison to Marshall’s?
• What are your risks on this project?
• What are Marshall’s risks?
• Have you had a Space Act Agreement with NASA previously?
• What is your timeline for completing the agreement and the project?