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In the October 31, 1997 Issue:

100+ GROUPS SUPPORT UNIFIED STATEMENT ON RESEARCH


A coalition of science, engineering, and mathematics organizations endorsed a statement calling for a doubling of research funding over the next ten years. In total, 106 organizations offered their support of a "Unified Statement on Research" at a Capitol Hill Press Conference on October 22.

The announcement is in response to a downward trend in federal science and engineering research investments. According to congressional reports, 5.7 percent of the federal budget in 1965 was spent on non-defense research and development. By 1997 that figure has dropped to 1.9 percent.

Dr. Winfred M. Phillips, President- nominee of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), stated "Investment in research provides the building blocks for our nation's competitive abilities. Federal support also provides the lifeblood for cutting-edge engineering research at colleges and universities, and is essential for educating the nation's future generations of engineers and scientists." Dr. Phillips was joined at the press conference by Dr. D. Allan Bromley, President of the American Physical Society, and Dr. Ronald Breslow, Immediate Past President of the American Chemical Society.

In conjunction with the release of the statement, Senator Phil Gramm (R-Texas) and Senator Joe Lieberman (D-Connecticut) announced the introduction of the National Research Investment Act of 1998. The bill would be the legislative vehicle to accomplish the goals put forth in the Unified Statement, including advancing engineering, mathematics, and scientific research and education.

The Congressional Research Service estimates that passage of the National Research Investment Act would raise the amount of non-defense investment in research and development from $34 billion currently to $68 billion in fiscal year 2008.

The full text of the "Unified Statement on Research," and a complete list of the endorsing organizations is available at the ASME web site: www.asme.org/work/frames/frame_gric.htm, or by contacting SSTI at 614/421-SSTI (7784).


MTC RELEASES A NEW INDEX OF INNOVATION INDICATORS


The Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MTC) has released a new study entitled Index of the Massachusetts Innovation Economy. This assessment of the Massachusetts economy provides data on 33 quantitative indicators.

The Index includes indicators such as industry clusters, pay per worker, manufacturing exports, education levels, R&D expenditures, Internet connectivity, and the number of patents, SBIR awards, and IPOs. The report establishes a baseline which will enable MTC to monitor, over time and in comparison to other states, Massachusetts progress in leveraging the state's resources through innovation to create quality jobs, productivity and rising incomes.

The report highlights major changes in the structure of the Massachusetts economy that have occurred in the 1990s. For example, of the nine key industry clusters that drive the economy, the software and communications services cluster is the biggest gainer, growing by more than 20,000 jobs since 1992. This industry cluster also has the highest wages, averaging $56,000 per employee. In contrast, Massachusetts has become less reliant on defense and computer/communications hardware, each of which has contracted by nearly 15,000 jobs since 1992.

The study also reports that Massachusetts leads states in patents per capita. Another positive indicator is that technology license royalties earned by universities, hospitals, and research institutions in Massachusetts more than doubled from 1991 to 1995.

MTC, a public-private economic development organization that focuses on technology-intensive enterprises in Massachusetts, undertook the project at the urging of the Governor's Council on Economic Growth and Technology. For more information about the report, contact MTC at 508/870-0312 or visit http://www.mtpc.org


DOE CALLS FOR UNIVERSITY COAL RESEARCH PROPOSALS


The Department of Energy (DOE) Fossil Energy Office opened its 19th year of University Coal Research competition with a call to academic researchers to submit ideas for advancing the science and use of coal. DOE is asking for projects that will support its "Vision 21" coal-based energy concept. A key goal of "Vision 21" is the near-zero release of emissions, including greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide.

DOE will offer approximately $2.8 million in federal funds for winning proposals. The department is allocating $2.3 million for six specific research areas:

DOE also intends to set aside approximately $500,000 for universities to study "innovative concepts" offering prospects for research breakthroughs rather than incremental improvements.

Projects proposed in the core program will be eligible for grants ranging from $80,000 for a 1-year project to $200,000 for a 3-year project proposed by a single university. Universities that team with at least two other academic institutions or with at least one other university and an industrial partner will be eligible for larger grants, up to as much as $400,000.

Proposals are due on November 26. The department expects to name the winning projects in April 1998. DOE has posted the request for proposals, "Support of Advanced Coal Research at U.S. Universities and Colleges," at www.fetc.doe.gov/ business/solicit/solicit.html.


TENTH BALDRIGE AWARD GIVEN TO FOUR U.S. COMPANIES


Two manufacturers - one for a second time - and two service firms have received the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award for their achievements in quality and business performance. The 1997 awards, announced by the Department of Commerce on October 15, went to 3M Dental Products Division, St. Paul, MN (manufacturing); Solectron Corp., Milpitas, CA (manufacturing); Merrill Lynch Credit Corp., Jacksonville, FL (service); and Xerox Business Services, Rochester, NY (service). Solectron Corp. also won the award in the manufacturing category in 1991.

Further information on the 1997 award winners and the award itself is available on the World Wide Web at www.quality.nist.gov.

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