Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) — The Federal Technology Transfer Act of 1986 allows industry to enter into research contracts with government laboratories. In exchange for this cooperation, the company involved is entitled to first rights to obtain an exclusive license to any inventions that may emerge as a result of the CRADA. USDA’s in-house research agency, the Agricultural Research Service has developed more than 800 CRADAs with industry since the law was enacted.