In the United States, a cooperative research and development agreement (CRADA or CRDA) is an agreement between a government agency and another government agency, a private company, non-profit, or university to work together on research and development.
99-502) (which amended the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (P.L.
96-480)),[1] a CRADA is intended to speed the commercialization of technology, optimize resources, and protect the private company involved.
A CRADA allows both parties to keep research results confidential for up to five years under the Freedom of Information Act.
[3] Private corporations participating in a CRADA are allowed to file for patent, and they retain patent rights on inventions developed by the CRADA.