The Federal Government has several techniques and programs to support innovation. One technique includes grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts under the Bayh-Dole Act, Executive Order 12591, and the Small Business Innovation Research Program in which the inventing organization may retain patent rights for their inventions as long as they follow specific procedures to assert those rights. Another technique includes cooperative research under the Federal Technology Transfer Act, the Small Business Technology Transfer Program, or the Engineering Research Centers. The Government also can provide in-kind assistance in a number of ways. These techniques and programs will be discussed.