Form NF1679 Disclosure of Invention of New Technology (including sof

OMB Control No 2700-0052
NF/1679 Disclosure of Invention of New Technology

Who Should Report an NTR

Anyone whose research is funded
by NASA, regardless of the
mechanism, must report their
technologies
NASA employees are required by NASA Policy Directive
2091.1B (link opens new browser window) to submit a
disclosure for each invention resulting from their work as
a government employee.
Anyone performing experimental, developmental, or
research work under a NASA funding agreement –
including contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements
(e.g., CRADA, Space Act Agreement, SBIR) – is also required to submit new technology reports. Typically,
partners working under these types of agreements are working in areas of new innovation, and these activities
must be reported.
Contractors, grantees, and recipients of cooperative agreement or other NASA funding are subject to multiple
statutes, regulations, and policies. For example, important requirements related to new technologies developed
with NASA funding under a contract can be found in NASA Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) Supplement
1852.227(link opens new browser window:

o NASA FAR Supplement 1852.227-11, Small Businesses, Colleges, Universities, Non-Profit
Organizations – "Subject Invention"/Patent Rights Clause

o NASA FAR Supplement 1852.227-70, Large Businesses –"Reportable Items"/New Technology
Clause
In addition to submitting an NTR for each individual innovation, contractors, grantees, and funding recipients must
also submit a New Technology Summary Report (NTSR) listing all new technology items developed during the
reporting period.
NTSR reports are also submitted via the electronic New Technology Reporting system.

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What to Submit in an NTR

An NTR is a mechanism for capturing and broadening the reach of
your ideas
New Technology Reports (NTRs) are a way for NASA to gather information about the hundreds of improvements
that emerge from the scores of research and development projects occurring across the Agency each year.
An NTR collects basic information about the technology improvement:

 Purpose: Why was it developed? What problem were you solving?
 Features: What makes it unique or better than what was previously available?
 Benefits: What are the benefits/advantages of these features?
 Uses: What ideas do you have for how it could be used by NASA, other government agencies, and/or
industry?

 Development history: If any key milestones have occurred, what were the dates of those
achievements?
Note: If the new technology is just an idea, these dates can be left blank.

 Disclosure: What information has been released publicly?
Note: It’s best to submit your NTR before revealing it outside the Agency

This site has been developed to answer your questions about the NTR process and to explain what should be
reported. But if you aren’t sure whether it is the right time to report an NTR, contact us. We’re here to help.

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When to Report an NTR

It is never too early to
submit your NTR!
The best time to submit an NTR for your
technology is as soon as you realize that you
have something new and before you
disclose it publicly. It may feel premature to
report an idea or innovation before you have
been able to vet it or develop a prototype,
but the earlier you report it, the easier it will
be for NASA to protect it.

 No need to wait until the end of the
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project: Even if there is still more work to do, submit the NTR.
No need to have prototyped or proven the technology: Even if it’s just an idea, submit the NTR.
No need to achieve a certain technology readiness level (TRL): Even if more development is needed,
submit the NTR.
No need to wait until it has been used in a NASA project: Even if that decision still needs to be made,
submit the NTR.
No need to know whether it can be patented/copyrighted: Submit the NTR (and other required
paperwork) and let NASA’s patent counsel figure that out.

Even if you or someone on your project team already disclosed the work, it is still important to submit the
NTR. Although you may believe that the invention can no longer be patented due to publication or use bars, you
should still report it. Your discovery may still be valuable to other U.S. government agencies, industry partners, or
other NASA projects. And in the case of software, it may be protected under copyright regulations. — Better late
than never.
Remember:

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The sooner we know about your new technology, the better
It is never too early to submit an NTR
Submit the NTR before disclosing the invention publicly
Even if you or someone on your project team already disclosed the work, submit the NTR

Still have questions? Contact us — we’re here to help

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How to Submit an NTR

An NTR is the first step for NASA to make the most of your
technology
The NTR is the first step in an important process of tracking and identifying novel applications for NASA’s new
technologies. Your improvements, modifications, innovations, and discoveries are valuable assets for NASA and
the nation. Ensuring that your work has a chance to make a difference in the world begins with the NTR.
NTR submission is simple and quick using NASA’s online system, (link opens new browser window) especially
when you have all of the needed information handy. After you have filled out the online NTR form, NASA’s
technology transfer personnel review your submission to ensure it is complete. Approval of the NTR is the final
step of the submission process.
In cases where NASA owns the rights to an innovation, tech transfer personnel work closely with patent counsel
to evaluate the NTR and make decisions regarding patenting, release of software, and whether/how to pursue
technology transfer. In cases where rights to the technology are elected or requested by an organization outside
of NASA, the owner may be responsible for IP protection and commercialization.

The NTR Process

More about these processes is provided in this section, but if you have any questions, feel free to contact
us — we’re here to help.

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Collect Key Information

Keeping a lab notebook is
the best way to make
reporting your NTR
submissions fast and easy
NASA’s online system has been streamlined
to make submitting NTRs as easy as
possible. All you need is very basic
information about your new technology.
Here are some tips to help make the process as fast and easy as possible:

 Use a lab notebook: Keeping a record of your daily activities makes it easier to recognize when you
have a reportable technology.
Note: Submit the NTR as soon as you recognize that you have a new technology.

 Record key dates: As you develop a new technology or improvement, track your progress—from
sketch through model/beta through testing/alpha—to include these details in the NTR.
Note: You can supplement a previously submitted NTR as development progresses.

 Keep track of public disclosures: If you do publicly disclose the technology, be sure to note the
date and location and any other relevant details to include in the NTR.
Note: NASA innovators should always report their technology before sharing it publicly. But even if it has
already been disclosed, it is still important to report the NTR. (link opens new browser window

These simple activities not only make it easy and fast to report your technology but also provide all the details
that patent counsel may need later in the process.
If you have any questions contact us — we’re here to help

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Request an Account
If you already have an account, you can sign in here.

If you would like to register your account under a NASA email address, it will not be necessary for you to request
an account using the form below. Please visit the Login page and click the "NASA IdMAX Authenticate" button,
and your account will be created immediately. If you have any questions, please contact the Help Desk at (757)
865-2233 or [email protected].
If you would like to register your account under a non-NASA email address, please complete and submit the form
below. This is a simple and quick process. After you have submitted the form, NTTS will then send you a
confirmation that your account has been established. You are then ready to Login and submit your NTR.
If you need help with setting up or accessing your account please contact the NTTS Help Desk at (757)
865-2233

Required information for Account
First Name:
Last Name:
Current Email
Address:

For Non-NASA account requests, please use your
business/university e-mail address that is associated with
your contract, grant, or agreement with NASA.

User Name:
Account Type:

Select One

Company: Select this account type if you are a contractor,
grantee, or partner that is responsible for submitting New
Technology Summary Reports under your contract, grant
or agreement with NASA.
User: All other users without a NASA e-mail address
should select this account type.

NASA Funding
Agreement
Number:

NASA Funding Agreement Number is the identification
number associated with your contract, grant, cooperative
agreement or Space Act Agreement.

Phone
Number:

Format: (xxx) xxx-xxxx

Please enter
the numbers
and letters in
the box for
security:

Refresh Code

Submit Your NTR

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It takes only about 30
minutes to get started
Once you have an account and are ready to
submit an NTR, login and complete the fields
in as much detail as you can. Completing the
form takes only 30 minutes or so.

The list below highlights the key
information that should be
reported via the NTR.

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Log in to the New Technology Reporting System (NTRs & NTSRs)

Log in here to report your technology or NTSR:
If your account is registered under a non-NASA email address, log in here using your eNTR account credentials:
Username:
Password:

Forgot Password
Request Account
Help Desk
NF1679 PDF
Sign In
NF1679 Word

If you need to create an account (or have an existing account) under a NASA email
address, log in here using your NASA IdMAX credentials:
If you are a NASA IdMAX user, please click the following "NASA IdMAX Authenticate" button to
authenticate with NASA Single-Sign-On.

NASA IdMAX Authenticate

What to expect when logging in through IdMAX

NASA Information Technology Security Policy requires that any account that has been inactive for 60
days or longer be locked. If your account becomes locked, contact the Help Desk at [email protected] or 757-865-2233 to regain access to it.
Note that you will be logged off this system after 15 minutes of inactivity. An autosave of open web
pages is occurring every five minutes.
NASA Form 1679 (NF1679) - Disclosure of Invention and New Technology (Including Software):
(Use when a new technology/invention is developed). You may either log in above and fill out the
electronic version of the NF1679 or download the PDF or Word version to be sent via email to your
NASA center.
What qualifies as new technologies and innovations is very broad. They include any invention,
discovery, improvement, or innovation that was either conceived or first actually reduced to practice in
the performance of NASA work. This includes any new and useful processes, machines, manufacture,
or composition of matter; or any new and useful improvement in existing processes, machines,
manufacture, or compositions of matter. Also included are new computer programs, and

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improvements to, or new applications of, existing computer programs, whether or not copyrightable. A
representative list of new technologies and innovations includes, but is not limited to: new or improved
techniques, products, devices, materials, methods, processes, chemical compositions, systems,
machines apparatuses, articles, fixtures, tools, or software.
Interim New Technology Summary Report (NTSR): a listing (every 12 months from the start of the
Contract) of all new technologies (inventions and/or innovations) developed during the reporting
period, or certification that there were none.
Final New Technology Summary Report (NTSR): a listing (prior to the Contract closeout) of all new
technologies (inventions and/or innovations) developed during performance of the Contract, or
certification that there were none.
NASA prefers that contractors/grantees/recipients use the NASA NTSR form, by way of the New
Technology Reporting System when submitting an NTSR.
PLEASE NOTE: This is a U.S. Government Computer System. If not authorized to access this system, please
disconnect. By continuing, you consent to your keystrokes and data content being monitored. If you do not have
authorization you are warned to disconnect at once. Actual or attempted use, access, communication, or
examination by unauthorized persons is a criminal violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1030.
Paperwork Reduction Act Statement: This information collection meets the requirements of 44 U.S.C. § 3507,
as amended by section 2 of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. You do not need to answer these questions
unless we display a valid Office of Management and Budget control number. The OMB control number for this
information collection is 2700-0052 and it expires on mm/dd/yyyy. We estimate that it will take about forty-five
(45) minutes to read the instructions, gather the facts, answer the questions, and transmit. You may send
comments on our time estimate above to: (NASA will insert a POC.)

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Thank you.
NASA will evaluate the NTR submitted. Information on the evaluation process is provided below.

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Evaluation and IP Protection

NASA evaluates NTRs
according to several factors
For NTRs covering innovations developed by civil
servants, as well as those for which the contractor or
grantee has decided not to pursue patent protection
and commercialization, NASA conducts an evaluation
process to determine the potential for IP coverage and
commercialization. In deciding what happens to an
NTR, we evaluate the technology according to three
factors:

 Technology readiness
 Market attractiveness
 Intellectual property (IP) strength
We rely on our technical expertise and market research to determine:

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How does the technology compare to what is currently available?
Who could use it and how much do they need it?
Is it ready to be used now and is the innovator available to assist with the transfer?
Can it be protected?

Depending on the answers to these questions, your NTR may be:

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Prepared for pursuit of patent protection in the United States and/or foreign countries
Submitted for an award from NASA or an external organization
Published in NASA Tech Briefs (link opens new browser window)
Listed in NASA’s technology transfer portal (link opens new browser window)
Publicized on your center’s technology transfer site
Actively marketed to potential licensees or collaborators/partners
Placed “on hold” to monitor the market’s readiness for the technology or to wait until further development of
the technology has occurred

Innovators support the tech transfer process
Innovators can provide valuable input in helping to identify commercial applications and potential partners, since
you are very familiar with the current state-of-the-art and key players in industry. As a result, it is very important
for you to complete the sections in the NTR related to the potential commercial markets. In most cases,
technology transfer professionals will contact the innovators to discuss their NTRs. You may also be asked to
participate in some of the activities highlighted above—for example, reviewing an award application or marketing
materials.
More about IP Protection
In most cases, intellectual property protection comes in the form of a patent. Software might be patentable or it

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could be eligible for copyright. If NASA decides to pursue patent or copyright protection for your technology,
NASA's patent attorneys will work with you to protect the intellectual property.
What is a patent?
A patent for an invention is the grant of a property right to the owner. The owner can then selectively give that
right to others via a license, usually in exchange for financial payments such as up-front fees and/or royalties.
Most companies are not interested in a technology if it is not patented, since other companies can easily copy it
and use it themselves, taking away the competitive advantage.
Can anything be patented?
In order for a utility patent to be granted, the invention must be new, non-obvious (not an obvious difference from
the prior art), and have a useful purpose.
Does NASA patent everything it can?
Because it costs thousands of dollars to patent a new technology, NASA is selective in deciding what to patent. If
the Agency expects there to be a financial return or some other benefit that can be achieved only by patenting the
technology, then NASA will apply for a patent.
Can software be patented?
Yes, some software may be protectable by patent, but only if it forms an integral and necessary part of a
qualifying machine, manufacture, or process. Underlying concepts in a computer program may be patentable, but
normally the code is only protected by copyright.
What is copyright?
Copyright gives the author of an original work the exclusive right to make copies, publish, distribute, and adapt it.
Can NASA software be copyrighted?
Copyright protection is not available in the U.S. for software developed solely by federal government employees
in the scope of their employment, although foreign copyright may be available. Copyright protection may be
available in the U.S. for software that is co-developed with federal government employee(s) along with nonfederal government employee(s). NASA can also obtain copyright in software from third

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Technology Transfer

Technology transfer can
take many different forms
Depending on the findings of the NTR
evaluation, your technology may be selected to
continue through the technology transfer
process. Within technology transfer, there are
many different paths. Your technology might be
suitable for applications within industry, so the
technology transfer personnel will seek
potential licensees. Or your innovation might be
a good candidate for collaborative R&D. Regardless of the type of activity pursued, NASA technology transfer
processionals always work to ensure arrangements that are beneficial for NASA, the inventor, and the partner.
As with the R&D that leads up to the new technology, the road for the NTR can be a twisting route with several
forks and unexpected turns. It may go quickly or it may take a long time, and you are always welcome to contact
us to find out the status of your NTR.

The Technology Transfer Process
The steps taken as part of technology transfer vary depending on the type of technology and the market where it
is most likely to be applied. However, there are several tools that technology transfer personnel commonly use to
let others know about a technology that is available for license or an opportunity for partnership:

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Prepare and distribute online and/or print materials to publicize your innovation
Contact companies or other organizations that may be interested in your innovation
Facilitate interactions with interested, qualified parties
If appropriate, arrange for your innovation to be presented at trade shows, conferences, and workshops

Throughout the technology transfer process, you will have the opportunity to review communications materials,
such as articles in NASA Tech Briefs, brochures, online technology listings, etc. If you have any questions along
the way, please do not hesitate to contact the tech transfer personnel at your center.

Types of Agreements
Technology transfer may be achieved through various agreement mechanisms, including licenses (most of which
result in royalty revenue), partnership agreements, and software usage agreements.
NASA works hard to ensure that any agreements put in place protect NASA's – and your – interest in the
technology while enabling partners to effectively bring a technology to market, ensure that the American public
benefits from the R&D funded by their tax dollars. Available agreement types are outlined below.

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Licenses
Three types of license agreements are available:

 Nonexclusive
 Exclusive
 Evaluation/Research

Partnership Agreements
 Space Act Agreement (SAA)
 Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA)

Software Release
Requests to use NASA software can be made by external parties or the software's developers. Before software
can be released to these parties via the software release authority, an NTR must generally be submitted. The
types of software release are summarized below.

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General public release
Open source release
US and foreign release
General US release only
US government purpose release

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