---
kind: "section"
citation: "15 U.S.C. § 3702"
title: "15"
title_heading: "Commerce and Trade"
number: "3702"
heading: "Purpose"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/15/3702"
units:
  - "Chapter 63 — Technology Innovation"
---

# §3702. Purpose


It is the purpose of this chapter to improve the economic, environmental, and social well-being of the United States by—

- (1) establishing organizations in the executive branch to study and stimulate technology;
- (2) promoting technology development through the establishment of cooperative research [centers](/usc/15/3703.md?p=2);
- (3) stimulating improved utilization of federally funded technology developments, including [inventions](/usc/15/3703.md?p=7), software, and [training technologies](/usc/15/3703.md?p=10), by [State](/usc/15/15g.md?p=2) and [local governments](/usc/15/34.md?p=1) and the private sector;
- (4) providing encouragement for the development of technology through the recognition of individuals and companies which have made outstanding contributions in technology; and
- (5) encouraging the exchange of scientific and technical personnel among academia, industry, and [Federal laboratories](/usc/15/3703.md?p=4).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 96–480, § 3, Oct. 21, 1980, 94 Stat. 2312; Pub. L. 99–502, § 9(b)(1), (f)(2), Oct. 20, 1986, 100 Stat. 1795, 1797.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1986—Par. (2). Pub. L. 99–502, § 9(b)(1), substituted “cooperative research centers” for “centers for industrial technology”.

Par. (3). Pub. L. 99–502, § 9(f)(2), inserted “, including inventions, software, and training technologies,”.