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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CHANGES TO ATP ANNOUNCED
U.S. Secretary of Commerce William M. Daley announced several changes to the Advanced Technology Program (ATP) yesterday. The changes came as a result of a Department study reviewing the ATP. A number of the changes are designed to increase the role of the states in the program.The first change called for in the Secretary's report is to "encourage state participation in ATP awards." As a means of encouraging state participation in ATP awards, the program will allow joint ventures to be led by states and state-sponsored non-profits. The selection process will give weight to the "business commercialization plan" part of the criteria to post-ATP "value-added" that can be provided by state technology development organizations.
The change is intended to help meet ATP's goal of encouraging prompt diffusion of ATP-fostered technologies into the economy through closer ties with state-supported organizations, which can provide assistance to companies after the completion of the ATP project. Typical roles for such an organization might include acting as a joint-venture administrator or providing post-project support in the development and commercialization of the technology. The change should also help to build stronger ties between the ATP and state science and technology programs, helping promote a greater supply of high-quality proposals.
Highlights of other changes include:
- Pursuing the creation of the proposed Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Technology (EPSCoT), which is designed to build technology development and diffusion in the eighteen states that have traditionally been under-represented in federal R&D funding. As a program designed to assist states in developing a technological infrastructure, EPSCoT may ultimately enable additional sources of high-quality proposals to ATP competitions.
- Shift the priorities of the program, putting more emphasis on joint-ventures and consortia, and more emphasis on small and medium-size single applicants, with less emphasis on individual applications from large companies.
- Increase the cost-share ratio for large (Fortune 500) single applicant companies to 60 percent, discouraging but not eliminating, such applications. This provides a further incentive for large companies to participate in joint ventures. It should also help meet a goal of maximizing small and medium-size company participation in the single applicant pool.
- Work with the private sector venture capital community to (1) ensure that ATP does not fund projects which can be wholly supported by private capital, and (2) provide a mechanism to transition successful, completed ATP projects by small companies to private-sector funding for further development and commercialization.
"The changes seek to create a stronger and more viable program, while preserving the fundamental mission of the ATP. They also ensure that the ATP continues to be a wholly merit-driven program based on peer review," according to a Department of Commerce statement.
In most cases, the changes can be implemented by ATP, although a few will require Congressional action.
The changes to the ATP come just weeks after the Secretary signed a Memorandum of Understanding that establishes him as the Federal Co-Chair of the United States Innovation Partnership (USIP), which seeks to involve governors in the development of technology policies that stimulate economic growth, high quality jobs, and globally competitive businesses by promoting innovation in the American economy.
NOMINATIONS SOUGHT FOR TIBBETTS AWARD
The Small Business Administration (SBA) is seeking nominations for the Tibbetts Awards to recognize outstanding technological innovation, economic impact, and business achievements of individuals and organizations associated with the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program.The awards, named for Roland Tibbetts who was instrumental in the creation of the SBIR program, were established last year when 67 individuals and companies were recognized. This year's awards will be presented on October 16 as part of a national SBIR conference.
Nominees may be individuals, small firms, organizations and projects that have provided outstanding contributions to the SBIR program. Nominees may come from the private, non-profit, or government sectors.
According to the SBA, nominees will be judged primarily on the economic impact of technological innovation, business achievement, effective collaborations, and proven state and regional impact and support.
Nominations are due on July 22. Additional information and nomination forms are available from local SBA district offices (located in the government section of the telephone directory) or on the Internet at www.inknowvation.com/ Tibbetts
FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR DNA SEQUENCING TECHNOLOGIES
The Human Genome Project (HGP) currently has two research grant opportunities available in the field of DNA sequencing technologies. HGP is an international research program created in the mid-1980s and led primarily by the National Institutes of Health and U.S. Department of Energy.HGP's primary goals are to construct detailed genetic and physical maps of the human genome, to determine the complete nucleotide sequence of human DNA, to localize the estimated 50,000-100,000 genes within the human genome, and to perform similar analyses on the genomes of several other organisms used extensively in research laboratories as model systems.
National Institutes of Health Grants
The National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) of the National Institutes of Health has funding available for research project grants in the field of low-cost, high accuracy DNA sequencing technologies.
The purpose of this Request for Applications (RFA) is to stimulate research on next-generation technologies that have the potential to reduce the cost of high-accuracy genomic DNA sequencing.
It is anticipated that approximately $5 million will be available for this initiative in FY 1998. The number and size of the awards have not been predetermined. The anticipated award date is July 1, 1998.
Prospective applicants are asked to submit a letter of intent by August 1, 1997. Although the letter of intent is not required, it can help establish an early dialogue with NHGRI staff. Applications are due October 16, 1997.
For more information regarding the program, contact Jeffery Schloss at NHGRI by phone at 301/480-2770. The RFA has been posted on the NHGRI's home page at http://www.nhgri.
nih.gov
Department of Energy Grants
The Office of Health and Environmental Research (OHER) of the Office of Energy Research has funding available for projects that support the technology development needs of the Joint Genome Institute (JGI).
JGI is developing a high throughput DNA sequencing factory and is accepting applications to establish a cooperative technology development project with an outside entity that will produce an automated DNA sequencing production line. It is estimated that one award, for a total of approximately $4 million in FY 1998, will be made.
Grants are also available to develop and implement technologies for automated and advanced high-throughput DNA sequencing that can be integrated into the unified sequencing production strategy that is identified and implemented at the JGI. It is anticipated that 2-4 awards for a total of up to $1 million could be awarded in FY 1998.
Preapplications are due by August 1, 1997. Final applications are due by October 16, 1997. For more information regarding the program, contact Dr. Marvin Frazier by phone at 301/903-6488 or by e-mail at joanne.corcoran@ oer. doe.gov. The notice inviting grant applications can be found on the web at http://www.er.doe. gov/production/grants/grants.html
NIST SEEKING BALDRIGE AWARD EXAMINERS FOR 1998
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is looking for business and quality experts to serve a one-year term on the Board of Examiners that reviews applications for the 1998 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. The board consists of approximately 325 members, including nine judges and 60 senior examiners.Examiners volunteer their time to evaluate applications for the award, prepare feedback reports for applicants and recommend award winners to the NIST director.
Key qualifications include expertise in business, education or health care management, processes and results as well as knowledge of quality practices and improvement strategies.
Information brochures on the Board of Examiners are available by calling 301/ 975-2036. Examiner applications will be available in November.
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