What does the Bayh-Dole Act encourage in academic institutions?

The Bayh-Dole Act is designed to promote the commercialization of inventions made with federal funding by allowing universities and other academic institutions to retain ownership of the intellectual property generated from federally-funded research. This act encourages institutions to actively pursue patents and work toward the transfer of technology developed in their research. The goal is to ensure that federally funded innovations can be developed and disseminated through commercial avenues, ultimately benefiting society by bringing new products and services to market.

In this context, the correct answer emphasizes the importance of control over intellectual property generated from federally-funded research, highlighting how the Bayh-Dole Act empowers academic institutions to leverage their discoveries for economic and societal benefit.