CLDP is pleased to announce its upcoming publication of the Technology Transfer Handbook later this year, with translations to follow.

Technology Transfer

Technology Transfer is a mechanism for emerging and advanced economies to foster innovations to commercialize research in strategic sectors.  A robust technology transfer system abroad not only protects U.S. companies’ intellectual assets, but it also creates opportunities for American firms to secure early equity in high-potential startups and spinouts, especially in critical industries like energy, mining, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, and high-tech. CLDP provides such technical assistance to government officials, universities, technology transfer offices, and research centers to develop a self-sustaining ecosystem based on intellectual property. 

About the Handbook

The Handbook was created using the Book Sprints method, in close collaboration with a diverse group of experts from U.S. government agencies, foreign governments, multilateral institutions, industry, civil society, and academia. 

CLDP has developed an open-access plain language handbook for policymakers on Technology Transfer. The Handbook is a starting point for understanding the policies, rules, and best practices that countries can adopt and implement for a robust IP and technology transfer ecosystems. This book is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Office of the Coordinator of U.S. Assistance to Europe and Eurasia. While the book has a Central Asia and Caucasus focus, the contents will be globally deployable across developing countries where CLDP operates.

Overview of Each Chapter

Following publication of the Handbook, CLDP will also release brief presentations giving a general overview of each chapter of the book in pdf and in video format. Below is an overview of the chapters in the book.

• Guide to this Book
• Chapter 1: Benefits of Intellectual Property

Describes the benefits of intellectual property and technology transfer for policy makers, research and academic institution professionals, and innovators. 

• Chapter 2: The Fundamentals

Explains the fundamentals of technology transfer, including the key players involved and their interactions.

• Chapter 3: Infrastructure for the Productive Ecosystem

Highlights the innovation ecosystem and its potential to optimize technology transfer results. 

• Chapter 4: Technology Transfer Office

Explains the design and operation of a central stakeholder in the technology transfer ecosystem: the Technology Transfer Office. 

• Chapter 5: Managing and Marketing Innovations

Provides a guide for ways to manage and market innovations to maximize success in technology transfer. 

• Chapter 6: The Licensing Agreement

Outlines the elements and structure of a license agreement in technology transfer. 

• Chapter 7: Start-ups in the Innovation Economy: Principles and Practices

Provides principles and practices for start-ups, which are becoming one of the most valuable tools for developing and commercializing intellectual property arising from technology transfer offices. 

• Chapter 8: Opportunities and Challenges for Technology Transfer

A Look forward to the current emerging trends, such as the role of artificial intelligence and digital platforms.

• Appendix 1: Templates

Outlines the basic framework of standard contracts in Technology Transfer, including a Memorandum of Understanding, Non-Disclosure Agreement, Invention Disclosure Form, Employer-Employee Agreement, Consulting Agreement, Material Transfer Agreement, Data Transfer Agreement, and an IP Policy for Research and Academic Institutions.

Handbook Drafting: Behind-The-Scenes

In August 2025, CLDP convened a multistakeholder group of technology transfer, intellectual property, and patent experts to institutionalize this work through the drafting of a Technology Transfer Handbook. Below are photos of our contributing authors drafting this handbook at Caboose Farm in Maryland, US.