Federal Partnerships for Facilities, Infrastructure, and Large Instrumentation

June, 2013
IDA document: D-4937
FFRDC: Science and Technology Policy Institute
Authors:
Authors
Vanessa Peña, Susannah V. Howieson, Stephanie S. Shipp See more authors
Federal partnerships revitalize Federal laboratory facilities, infrastructure, and large instrumentation by pooling resources across Federal laboratories, departments, and agencies to fund a project of shared interest. In the process, such partnerships bring about scientific collaboration and enhance research capabilities. STPI identified existing Federal partnerships for facilities, infrastructure, and large instrumentation and conducted a handful of in-depth case studies. The goal was to identify motivations for, barriers to, and strategies of partnerships to provide guidance or models for those wishing to form them. Despite evidence of forward progress, challenges remain, both for current and new partnerships. Implementing the policy suggestions outlined through executive or legislative action, interagency coordination, and agency and laboratory policy and guidance could help further streamline and facilitate Federal laboratory facilities, infrastructure, and large instrumentation partnerships.