Copyright State Science & Technology Institute 2002. Information in this issue of the SSTI Weekly Digest was prepared under a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration. Redistribution to all others interested in tech-based economic development is strongly encouraged — please cite the State Science & Technology Institute whenever portions are reproduced or redirected. Any opinions expressed in the Digest do not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Commerce.
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In the February 7, 1997 Issue:
White House, Governors Agree to Cooperate on Technology Issues
An agreement between the White House and the National Governors' Association (NGA) to establish a new mechanism, the U.S. Innovation Partnership, for coordinating federal and state technology efforts was announced by Vice President Gore and NGA's Lead Governors on Technology John G. Rowland, (R-CT), and Parris N. Glendening, (D-MD), earlier this week."Building on the work of the State-Federal Technology Partnership Task Force led by former Governors Richard Celeste and Richard Thornburgh, I am committed to working with our nation's governors to establish a U.S. Innovation Partnership. This partnership will
coordinate federal and state efforts to stimulate the development and use of new technologies that can help us meet our common goals of generating economic growth, improving our schools and health care, better protecting the environment at lower cost, and reinventing our government at all levels," President Clinton said in a letter to Gov. Bob Miller (D-NV), chair of NGA.
Four USIP task forces have held meetings in Connecticut, Nevada, and Missouri to help set priorities and to refine specific workplans. Initial objectives of the task forces include:
- stimulating technology commercialization;
- easing business access to technology development information;
- improving SBIR;
- regulatory streamlining for environmental technology and building/construction technology;
- expanding the Angel Capital Electronic Network (ACE-NET);
- expanding the capacity of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership; and
- developing "Idea to Market" demonstrations.
For more information about the U.S. Innovation Partnership, send e-mail to USIP@nga.org, or contact Tom Unruh at NGA, 202/624-7833.
State-Federal Technology Executive for OSTP Sought
A State-Federal Technology Executive (SFTE) to serve in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) is being sought. The SFTE, sponsored by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), is a one year old initiative designed to encourage broad-scale science and technology cooperation between the states and the federal government. The SFTE will have responsibility for facilitating state-federal collaborative efforts via the newly formed United States Innovation Partnership (consisting of the National Governors' Association, OSTP and the Dept. of Commerce).
With the announcement of a new partnership between the states and the White House on science and technology issues, the position could have significant impact in shaping the partnership.
Anticipated activities for the SFTE include: coordination of federal and state science and technology initiatives; promotion of opportunities available at state and federal levels for science and technology efforts; and, serving as an information resource for state governments, industry, and universities.
The SFTE should be a technology professional with first-hand knowledge of and experience with state government operations as well as a broad understanding of federal science and technology programs. The ideal candidate should have:
- a clear understanding of the roles of federal research and development programs and state science and technology programs;
- the leadership and organizational skills necessary to direct, manage, and coordinate administrative and programmatic activities associated with the U.S. Innovation Partnership;
- the ability to discern opportunities for state-federal technology programs, to present such opportunities effectively, both verbally and in writing, to senior government, university and industry stakeholders for consideration.
Applications are due by February 28 with the position expected to start in spring, 1997 and continue for one year. A $50,000 stipend is available.
For more information and an application, contact Reese Meisinger at ASME at 202/785-3756.
NIH Center Seeking Comments on Strategic Plan
The National Center for Research Resources (NCRR) of the National Institutes of Health is seeking input as it updates its 1994 strategic plan, NCRR: A Catalyst for Discovery.The plan is designed to anticipate, meet, and set priorities for the biomedical research community's critical resource and technology needs. The center is requesting comments to help it identify barriers to research progress and define future needs for shared research resources and technologies.
Specific questions NCRR is interested in receiving input on include:
- What are the most important research trends that will drive biomedical research?
- What research resources and technologies will be critical in addressing these trends?
- What strategies will eliminate barriers to progress and enhance access to research resources and technologies?
- Who should serve on the panel for the strategic planning process?
NCRR's mission is to strengthen the nation's biomedical research infrastructure and is charged with creating and providing critical research technologies and shared resources. NCRR plays a key role in addressing such issues as access to instrumentation and technologies, cost containment for research, development of specialized research models, remedies for the shortage of clinical and minority investigators, and other efforts to improve the research infrastructure.
NCRR has provided a comment form on the World Wide Web at www.ncrr.nih.gov/ survey.htm. The form is also available from the Office of Science Policy at 301/ 435-0866. Comments should be received by May 15.
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