NIH OTT Open Data Initiative
The NIH Office of Technology Transfer (OTT) is committed to making technology transfer data accessible to the public, developers, researchers, and partner organizations.
This page outlines the current ways to access OTT data and helps you choose the option that best fits your use case.
Start Here: Choose a Data Access Option
1) OTT Embedded Search (Fastest website integration)
Use Embedded Search to add NIH OTT search results to your website with minimal front-end code and a built-in search interface.
- Best for: website teams that want quick integration
- Learn more: https://www.techtransfer.nih.gov/adding-ott-embedded-search-to-your-site
2) JSON:API (System-to-system access)
Use Drupal’s built-in JSON:API endpoints for structured, programmatic access to OTT content.
- Best for: custom applications, ETL, backend integrations, and reporting pipelines
- Base endpoint: https://techtransfer.nih.gov/jsonapi/
- Example endpoints:
3) Algolia Search API (Search-first retrieval)
Use Algolia for fast keyword search workflows and search-driven integrations.
- Best for: high-performance search experiences
- Contact us for implementation guidance
4) XML Export (Bulk/offline workflows)
Download a full XML file containing NIH abstracts.
- Best for: archival, bulk transforms, and offline processing
- XML export: https://www.techtransfer.nih.gov/sites/default/files/nih-abstracts.xml
5) RSS Feeds (Syndication)
Use RSS feeds to subscribe to OTT updates in feed readers, internal portals, or simple automation workflows.
- Best for: update monitoring, alerts, and lightweight integrations
- RSS endpoint: https://techtransfer.nih.gov/rss
Data Types Available
Depending on endpoint and integration method, OTT data includes:
- Technology Abstracts
- Patent Summaries
- Federal Register Notice references
- News and Spotlight content
- Showcase Products
- Staff Profiles
- Awards and Metrics
- Additional content types as made available
Quick Recommendations
- Choose Embedded Search when you want to add OTT search quickly to a public website.
- Choose JSON:API when you need structured data for custom applications and backend workflows.
- Choose Algolia when search speed and relevance are your primary requirements.
- Choose XML when you need full-file export for offline or batch processing.
- Choose RSS when you want simple subscription-based updates with minimal engineering effort.
Data Quality and Change Management
OTT continuously improves data models and publishing workflows.
For production use, test your integration with representative records and review output periodically to ensure continued compatibility.
Need Help?
For help selecting a data access method or implementing your integration, contact: