ATTAIN Act of 2015

Accelerating Technology Transfer to Advance Innovation for the Nation Act of 2015 or the ATTAIN Act of 2015

This bill amends the Department of Energy Organization Act to establish the Office of Technology Transitions, directed by a Technology Transfer Coordinator, to improve Department of Energy (DOE) coordination and use of technology transfer resources, including increased coordination and use of small business innovation research.

DOE shall establish a Lab-Corps, modeled after the I-Corps of the National Science Foundation, to support investments in entrepreneurs, mentors, and principal investigators.

DOE may also establish and participate in technology commercialization challenges.

The Office shall: (1) work with each Office of Research and Technology Application at the National Laboratories, and (2) partner with foundations and nonprofit entities with similar technology transfer and entrepreneurship priorities and goals.

DOE and the Small Business Administration shall jointly establish a Technology Transfer Investment Initiative following prescribed guidelines.

The Office, in coordination with Lab-Corps, shall also establish and coordinate regional geographic areas to implement the Initiative.

DOE shall establish a pilot program, administered through the Office, to award grants to post-graduate researchers for the purpose of spinning off and licensing technology.

DOE may include, in a management and operating contract for a National Laboratory, partnership agreements with institutions of higher education.

The Government Accountability Office shall report to Congress on the results of the projects developed under this Act.