How does NIST treat the research results of a CRADA?
NIST believes that US industry needs open access to NIST’s technical information and emphasizes publication of its research results. Yet, NIST also recognizes that its research partner may desire and need time to gain competitive advantage from its investment in joint R&D efforts with NIST. Thus, NIST provides some flexibility in its arrangements with its research partners. NIST may provide up to one year protection of CRADA research results if NIST’s principal investigator feels that it would be appropriate to do so. In extraordinary cases, with the Laboratory Director’s approval, NIST may withhold publication of its CRADA research for up to five years if NIST determines that to do so would be in the public interest.
