Most frequently, partnerships are formalized by entering into Space Act Agreements. These agreements provide a way for NASA to partner with industry, foundations, universities and other non-Government organizations, as well as other Government agencies. In these agreements, no goods or services are provided to NASA. Instead, NASA provides data, facilities, services, and personnel to the paying party.  Space Act Agreements are created using the Space Act Agreement Maker which is only available to onsite innovators.  Offsite innovators should contact anyone on TTPO’s partnership team:

›  : (216) 433-8063
›  : (216) 433-3516
›  : (216) 433-2485

In addition to Space Act Agreements, partnerships are also formalized by entering into a Software Use Agreement.  A software use agreement is used to provide access to NASA software to a private party.  Depending on the stage of development and NASA mission related goals, software use agreements are used for beta-testing software; delivering software to partners who have existing grants, contract, cooperative agreements and space act agreements; and for use of the software by other federal agencies, commercial entities and academia.  For more information on software use agreements and how to make software available for partnering, contact the Software Release Agent:

›  : (216) 433-6731

Finally, licenses are an excellent way to formalize a partnership.  NASA has the authority to grant licenses to patented technologies.  All NASA licenses are individually negotiated with the prospective licensee, and each license contains terms concerning commercialization, license duration, royalties, and periodic reporting.  NASA licenses may be exclusive, partially exclusive and nonexclusive.  For more information on licensing contact anyone on our licensing team:

›  : (216) 433-3516
›  : (216) 433-2772