Defense
Patent Holiday
Accelerating the commercialization of breakthrough defense technologies from the lab directly to the warfighter.
This first-of-its-kind pilot program, led by TIIB’s Technology Transfer, Transition and Commercial Partnerships (T3CP) office, offers qualified companies no-fee Commercial Evaluation Licenses (CELs) for a limited time. Industry partners now have unprecedented access to assess the commercial potential of government-funded R&D.
"A clear path to move technology from the lab into the hands of the American warfighter and the American consumer."
— Emil Michael, Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering
Lowering Early Barriers
No-fee Evaluation Access
Assess selected patents through Commercial Evaluation Licenses without the usual upfront costs during the evaluation window.
"Try Before You Buy"
Use the evaluation period to understand technical fit, market potential, business case, and scale-up requirements in a secure sandbox.
Direct Innovation Route
Connect with a clearer licensing route intended to transition breakthrough technologies from defense labs to industry floors.
Process Flow
Access Patents
Browse the curated set of technologies included in the pilot.
Identify Fit
Match patent capabilities to your product roadmap or thesis.
Evaluate
Apply for a CEL to assess technical and market scale-up.
Transition
Engage licensing pathways to move tech toward deployment.
"We want to fail fast, learn, and incorporate those learnings. I encourage the manufacturing community to communicate their experiences through my office... activate and communicate."
— Steve Luckowski, T3CP Director
Upcoming Events
| DATE |
Wednesday, September 23, 2026 8:30am–4:00pm EDT |
| LOCATION |
LIFT, Detroit, MI Virtual attendees via Zoom |
| FORMAT |
Briefings, patent overview, Q&A. |
Companies interested in advanced materials can attend the Industry Day at LIFT to learn about the available technologies, get information on how to apply for a no-fee Commercial Evaluation License, and hear about the various technical support offered by partners at no cost to the company.
OUSW(R&E)
The Pentagon
Office of the Under Secretary of War,
Research and Engineering (OUSW(R&E))
3030 Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-3030