Understanding Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs)
Technology Readiness Level (TRL) is a framework originally developed by NASA in the 1970s to measure how close a technology is to being ready for real-world use. Today, it’s a common standard across federal agencies — including the Department of Defense (DoD), Department of Energy (DOE), and National Institutes of Health (NIH) — to evaluate technology maturity.
For innovators and small businesses, understanding your TRL is key. It helps you assess where your technology stands in the development process, communicate progress clearly to investors and funding agencies, and identify the most appropriate funding and partnership opportunities. TRLs also provide a shared language for discussing technology development. They help teams manage technical risk, determine next steps in R&D, and make informed decisions about when to transition toward commercialization.
Commonly used technology and commercialization assessments:
- Technology Readiness Levels (TRL)
- Manufacturing Readiness Levels
- Adoption Readiness Levels (ARL)
- Commercial Adoption Readiness Assessment Tool (CARAT) - Used by the Department of Energy
- Market Readiness Levels: https://www.energy.gov/eere/buildings/technology-market