The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in the USA is probably the institution with the longest tradition for strategic innovative use of public demand to stimulate and diffuse technology and promote innovation.

Through the Innovative Partnership Program (IPP) at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the U.S. federal government drives innovation by matching innovative technology needs and capabilities.

The program seeks to create partnerships and cooperative activities with U.S. enterprises to develop technology that is applicable to NASA's mission technology needs and that contributes to commercial competitiveness in global markets. The Innovative Partnership Program provides needed technology and capabilities for NASA's Mission Directorates, Programs and Projects through investments and partnerships with industry, academia, government agencies and national laboratories. Through a number of federal and NASA investment schemes such as SBIR sand STTR, SMEs are encouraged to provide innovative technological solutions to the NASA programme.

In addition to leveraged technology investments, dual-use technology-related partnerships, and technology solutions for NASA, IPP enables cost avoidance, and accelerates technology maturation. IPP also seeks to be a facilitator and catalyst for innovation in technology transfer—or spinoffs—to provide solutions to the private sector or other government agencies with NASA-developed technology resulting in public benefit. IPP achieves these mission objectives through a network of offices at each of NASA's 10 field centers.

The Innovative Partnership Program is open to enterprises around the world. The program receives $180 million annually from the federal budget.

Source: http://ipp.nasa.gov/