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In the January 16, 1998 Issue:
REAL INCREASE IN R&D SPENDING EXPECTED FOR 1998
The United States could be on the verge of a major resurgence in the funding of research and development (R&D), according to the annual forecast by Battelle Memorial Institute and R&D Magazine. R&D spending in 1998 is expected to reach more than $215 billion, a 4.66 percent increase over the $206 billion that the National Science Foundation estimates was spent in 1997. The prediction comes after years of stagnation in R&D spending.Predictions for 1998 include:
- Industry will invest $143 billion, an increase of more than 6 percent from 1997
- The federal government will contribute $62.9 billion to conduct R&D, slightly more than what was spent last year
- Universities and other non-profits will invest nearly 10.2 billion on R&D.
Before 1980, the federal government was the dominant supporter of R&D, funding more than 50 percent of the work. Since then, however, government's share has slipped to less than 30 percent, a figure that is expected to continue falling over the next five years.
The federal government supports R&D in all four performing sectors: federal laboratories, private industry, academic institutions, and other non-profits. However, the forecast predicts that only academia will enjoy increased funding from the federal government, though the total will barely keep pace with inflation.
Industrial areas that are expected to have high growth in R&D spending are: pharmaceuticals, genetic research, microelectronics, telecommunications, computer technology, electronic components, medicine, scientific instruments, non-electrical machinery, and motor vehicles.
A copy of the full forecast can be found in the January issue of R&D Magazine.
ATP ALLIANCE NETWORK WEBSITE LAUNCHED
The National Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST) Advanced Technology Program (ATP) has launched a new Internet website entitled the ATP Alliance Network. The website is designed to aid organizations interested in applying for an ATP Joint Venture award.Joint R&D ventures are potentially a powerful tool for attacking difficult research tasks. By collaborating, companies can share the costs and risks associated with long-term, high-risk R&D, and so reduce the burden to each individual firm.
Topics on the ATP Alliance Network include:
- The pros and cons of establishing high-risk R&D alliances;
- Proven "best practices" for ATP joint ventures;
- Data on the benefits of performing collaborative R&D under the ATP from recent economic studies;
- A roadmap of the ATP administrative process, including links to the most important documents required for the creation and management of an ATP cooperative agreement; and,
- Links to other resources for R&D alliance managers.
Since ATP's inception in 1990, ATP and industry have partnered to perform 352 projects with a total investment of more than $2 billion. Of these projects, 119 (34%) have been ATP Joint Ventures representing $1.5 billion (75%) of the total investment.
The ATP Alliance Network can be found on the Internet at www.atp.nist.gov/alliance. General information on the NIST Advanced Technology Program can be found on the ATP website at www.atp.nist.gov.
CDC ANNOUNCES FUNDING FOR INJURY PREVENTION AND CONTROL RESEARCH GRANTS
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced that applications are being accepted for Injury Prevention and Control Research Grants. The purpose of this grant program is to provide opportunities to understand and prevent unintentional injuries and reduce their effects.A total of $2.7 million is available in FY 1998 for injury research grants. Approximately $1.8 million is available to support 6-8 projects that address primary prevention of unintentional injuries (home and leisure, and motor vehicle related-injuries), acute care, and the prevention of secondary conditions in persons with disabilities.
Approximately $900,000 is available to support 3-5 projects that address biomechanics. All awards will be made for a 12 month budget period within a project period not to exceed three years. The maximum funding level per year will not exceed $300,000. Applicants that exceed the funding cap of $300,000 will be excluded from the competition.
Eligible applicants include all nonprofit and for-profit organizations. Thus State and local health departments and State and local governmental agencies, universities, research institutions, and other public and private organizations are eligible to apply.
Applications are due on or before February 25, 1998 to CDC. Although not a prerequisite for applying, a letter of intent is requested from potential applicants by January 26, 1998. To receive an application packet, call 1-888-GRANTS4 and refer to announcement #816. More information can be found on the Internet at www.cdc.gov/funding.htm and selecting the item listed under the Injury and Violence Prevention and Control category.
People
Dr. Rita R. Colwell, the current President of the University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute and former President of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and a former member of the National Science Board, has been nominated by President Clinton to serve as the next deputy director of the National Science Foundation.Dr. Walter Plosila has joined Battelle Memorial Institute as Vice President, Public Technology Management. He served most recently as the executive director of the North Carolina Alliance for Competitive Technologies (NC ACTs).
Joseph Magno, the executive director of the New York State Science and Technology Foundation, has resigned his position. He has accepted a position with the State University of New York Research Foundation.
Dr. Robert Center has retired. Dr. Center was the executive director of the Washington Technology Center.
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