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In the December 19, 1997 Issue:
NASA ANNOUNCES SBIR PHASE II RECIPIENTS
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has announced the recipients of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II awards for FY96.NASA selected 101 research proposals from the 320 that were submitted by SBIR contractors completing Phase I projects. The selected projects, which have a total value of approximately $59 million, will be conducted by 87 small, high technology firms located in 29 states. The following table lists the number of companies awarded funding in each state:
State # of Awards State # of Awards AL 5 NH 2 AZ 2 NJ 3 CA 18 NM 1 CO 4 NY 3 CT 3 OH 4 FL 2 OR 3 GA 2 PA 1 IL 1 TN 1 IN 1 TX 4 MD 4 UT 1 MA 20 VA 4 MI 2 VT 1 MN 1 WA 5 MT 1 WI 1 NC 1 Total 101
Phase II awards continue the development of the most promising Phase I projects. Phase II recipients are awarded up to $600,000 for a two-year performance period.A listing of companies selected for the program as well as a breakout of awards by NASA center and state are available via the web at http://sbir.nasa.gov/SBIR/ sbir96/phase2.
FY 98 APPROPRIATIONS: S&T HIGHLIGHTS
With all appropriations bills signed into law as of November 26 and the exercise of the final line item veto on December 2, the FY 1998 appropriations picture is coming into focus.A preliminary analysis by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) of the FY98 appropriations shows that total federal funding allocated to R&D increased to $76.3 billion, 4.1 percent more than FY97.
With the exception of Transportation and Agriculture, every major R&D funding agency received increases above the rate of inflation (2.5 percent). The Department of Commerce's R&D programs received the largest percent increase (14.8 percent) to bring the agency to $1.1 billion. Much of the increase is due to a $95 million appropriation to fund construction and renovation of NIST R&D facilities in Colorado and Maryland.
Funding for other NIST programs included $114 million for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), an increase of $19 million over last year. The Technology Administration in Commerce, which oversees NIST, received $1.6 million to initiate the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Technology (EPSCoT). The goal of EPSCoT, which is modeled after the National Science Foundation's EPSCoR program, is to help stimulate commercial technology development in states traditionally under represented in federal R&D funding. Funding for the Advanced Technology Program (ATP) was decreased to $192.5 million, $10.5 million less than FY97.
The Environmental Protection Agency was also a big winner, with its appropriations increasing to $618 million (a 14.2 percent increase).
Federal Research and Development Spending(dollar amounts in millions)
Agency FY 1997 (est.)
FY 1998 Final
Defense (military) 37,026 38,066 NIH 12,206 13,077 NASA 9,315 9,808 Energy 6,103 6,292 NSF 2,424 2,573 Agriculture 1,545 1,551 Commerce 983 1,128 Interior 581 616 Transportation 650 636 EPA 541 618 Other 1,877 1,923 TOTAL 73,251 76,288 Source: American Association for the Advancement of Science
Attention will soon turn to the budget for fiscal year 1999. That budget, which will be released in February 1998, is currently under review at senior staff levels.
ATP COMPETITION OPENS
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has announced the opening of a general competition for the Advanced Technology Program (ATP) as well as seven technology focused program competitions. ATP awards help private industry pursueinnovative, high-risk technologies that have substantial potential for creating U.S. economic growth.
An estimated $82 million in first year funding is available for new awards for FY 1998. The actual number of proposals funded under each competition will depend on the quality of the proposals received and the amount of funding requested in the highest ranked proposals.
ATP's eight new competitions with relevant deadlines are listed below:
CompetitionOptional Pre-Proposals Due Full Proposals Due General Competition N/A March 18 Photonics Mfg. Feb 27 April 8 Premium Power Feb 27 April 8 Digital Video in Information Networks Feb 27 April 22 Catalysis & Biocatalysis Technologies Feb 27 April 22 Microelectronics Mfg. Infrastructure Feb 27 April 8 Selective-Membrane Platforms Feb 27 April 22 Tools for DNA Diagnostics N/A March 18
NIST is sponsoring a total of nine public meetings to provide potential applicants with additional information (see related box). Attendance at these meetings is not required to participate in the competition.The December 1997 ATP Proposal Preparation Kit, containing required forms, background material, and instructions for submission of proposals, may be obtained by phone at 1-800-ATP-FUND or by e-mail at atp@nist.gov. The ATP is mailing this new version of the Proposal Preparation Kit to all individuals whose names are currently on their mailing list. Additional information regarding the program can be found on the Internet at http://www.atp.nist.gov.
ATP Regional Meetings
ATP is holding public meetings to provide potentional applicants with information on the 1998 General Competition and Technology Specific Competitions. The meetings will begin at 9:30 am and end at approximately 2 pm. The format and content will be the same at each of the general competition meetings. To register, contact ATP by phone at 1-800-ATP-FUND or by email at atp@nist.gov.
General Competition Information:
- January 15, 1998: Gaithersburg, MD and by video teleconference in Boulder, CO. To accomodate the teleconference, this meeting will not begin until 10am EST.
- January 21, 1998: Seattle, WA, Austin, TX, and Orlando, FL
- January 23, 1998: Los Angeles, CA, Rosemont, IL and Windsor Locks, CT
Technology Specific Competition Information:
- January 28, 1998: Gaithersburg, MD. Information will focus on Premium Power, Digital Video in Information Networks, Catalysis & Biocatalysis Technologies, and Selective-Membrane Platforms.
- January 29, 1998: Gaithersburg, MD. Information will focus on Photonics Manufacturing Infrastructure, and Tools for DNA Diagnostics.
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