Agricultural Technology Innovation Partnership (ATIP)

The federal government is the nation’s largest funder of agricultural research
($1.8 billion) as it strives to protect the quality and safety of the food supply, develop bioenergy solutions, and sustain a competitive American agricultural economy.

A critical component of this work is ensuring that the results of this significant research make their way into the commercial marketplace.

To facilitate the successful and efficient transfer of innovation to the private sector, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is partnering with nine organizations nationwide to aggressively increase commercialization of federal research innovations for maximum economic impact.

The Kansas Bioscience Authority has been selected to participate in USDA-ARS’ exciting ATIP program, serving as the portal to businesses in the Northern Plains Region, which includes Kansas, Colorado, Utah, Nebraska, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Montana.

As a strategic partner of USDA-ARS, the KBA will work with researchers, businesses, and organizations to spin federal research out of labs and accelerate economic growth in this region.

How it works
To increase the likelihood that federal research outcomes are adopted by private sector firms, the KBA will:

• Promote the out licensing of ARS technologies to companies and
• Encourage cooperative R&D agreements between USDA-ARS and companies that can successfully commercialize innovations.

The ATIP network allows companies in the region to learn about commercialization opportunities at KBA-organized events showcasing new USDA-ARS technologies and research capabilities, and it provides access to the full ARS research and patent portfolio across the vast landscape of 100 ARS research locations.

The program also offers technology‐readiness assessments and business plan development of select ARS patent-protected technologies to create additional private sector partnering opportunities.

Further, the KBA will link colleges, universities, and small business development centers with ARS to facilitate research partnerships.

And the program creates a two-way street: Local businesses and researchers can work with the KBA to alert ARS of research areas in which ARS scientists and expertise could provide a valuable boost to private sector efforts — providing important industry perspectives on ARS research and technologies.

When companies and researchers work with the KBA to access USDA-ARS technologies, they also will have the chance to benefit from the KBA’s world-class investment programs and hands-on business assistance — all designed to support bioscience growth with remarkable outcomes.

KBA ATIP brochure
ARS ATIP brochure