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In the January 23, 1998 Issue:

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES NEW PLANS TO SUPPORT IT WORKER DEVELOPMENT

The Clinton Administration has announced initiatives to finance computer training and retraining programs to meet the dramatically increasing demand for Information Technology (IT) workers. The announcement occurred at the National Information Technology Workforce Convocation, an event to facilitate broad-based solutions to the worker shortage.

The announcement came on the same day that a new study was released by the Information Technology Association of American (ITAA) and Virginia Polytechnic Institute. The study found extensive IT worker shortages exist throughout the United States. Approximately 346,000 IT positions -- or 10% of the total IT workforce -- are currently unfilled.

In addition, U.S. Labor Department projections show that the demand for computer scientists, systems analysts and programmers will double over the next 10 years, with 1.3 million new workers needed to fill high-tech, high-wage jobs.

Specific programs announced by the Administration include expanding industry involvement in school-to-work. The Departments of Labor and Education will provide $6 million in grants for industry groups that expand private-sector involvement in providing young people vocational skills. The Department of Labor will also invest an additional $3 million to fund state and local programs that train dislocated workers for high-technology jobs.

The Department of Commerce's planned activities include the grant competition for approximately $17 million under the Telecommunications and Information Infrastructure Assistance Program (see related story for additional information). The Department will also convene four town-hall meetings this year where representatives of business, academia, state and local governments, and employee organizations can discuss IT work force needs, identify best practices, and showcase successful models that others can replicate.

Finally, the Department of Commerce plans to launch an effort based on the National Medal of Technology to promote public understanding of information technology's role in the American economy and to stimulate student interest in preparing for and pursuing careers in IT fields. The program will highlight the achievements and contributions of past Medal winners.

The report released by ITAA presents the consequences if the current worker shortage situation is not improved. The study concludes that in the absence of sufficient numbers of IT workers, the U.S. can expect to see slower growth in the IT industry which will lead to slower job growth and less wealth creation for the nation as a whole.

NTIA ANNOUNCES TIIAP SOLICITATION


The U.S. Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has announced that it will accept applications for the FY 1998 Telecommunications and Information Infrastructure Assistance Program (TIIAP) grants. Approximately $17 million will be awarded to provide seed money for innovative, practical projects that extend the benefits of advanced telecommunications and information technology to rural and urban underserved Americans.

TIIAP provide matching grants to non-profit organizations such as schools, libraries, hospitals, public safety entities, and state and local governments. Grants are used to fund projects that improve the quality of, and the public's access to, education, health care, public safety, and other community-based services.

Previous awards have gone to:

Since 1994, TIIAP has awarded 332 grants in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Approximately $100 million in federal grant funds have been matched by more than $150 million in non-federal funds.

Priorities in the 1998 grant round include funding projects which will serve as national demonstrations of how telecommunications and information technologies can be used to extend valuable services and opportunities to all Americans, especially the underserved. TIIAP is looking for innovative projects that use the new tools of the information age to strengthen communities, improve the delivery of public services, promote public safety, and enhance health, education, culture, and lifelong learning.

The deadline for submitting applications is March 12, 1998. NTIA will hold a series of regional outreach workshops and partnering events to discuss the TIIAP program, funding priorities, and application requirements. Please see the Calendar of Events for dates and locations.

For further information, contact Stephen Downs, Director of TIIAP, at 202/482-2048 or by e-mail at tiiap@ntia.doc.gov. Or visit TIIAP's website at www.ntia.doc.gov/otiahome/tiiap/ General/general.html.

DOE ENERGY BIOSCIENCES SEEKING PRE-APPLICATIONS


The U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Basic Energy Sciences is inviting preapplications for research funding in the Energy Biosciences program area.

The Energy Biosciences program has the mission of generating fundamental biological information about plants and non-medical related microorganisms that can provide support for future energy related biotechnologies that may contribute towards providing alternate fuels, petroleum replacement products, energy conservation measures as well as other technologies related to DOE programs.

Areas of interest include bioenergetic systems; control of plant growth and development; genetic transmission and expression; plant-microbial interactions, plant cell wall structure and function; lignocellulose degradative mechanisms; mechanisms of fermentations, genetics of neglected microorganisms, energetics and membrane phenomena; thermophily (molecular basis of high temperature tolerance); microbial interactions; and one-carbon metabolism.

The preapplication should consist of a two- to three-page concept paper on the research contemplated for an application to the Energy Biosciences program. No budget information or biographical data need be included; nor is an institutional endorsement necessary. The preapplication gives DOE the opportunity to advise potential applicants on the suitability of their research ideas to the mission of the DOE Energy Biosciences program.

Funds are expected to be available for new grant awards in FY 1999. Awards made during FY 1997 averaged close to $100,000 per year, mostly for a three-year duration.

Preapplications should be received by February 27. The deadline for receipt of formal applications is June 17, 1998. Additional Information is available on the Internet at www.er.doe.gov/production/grants/grants.html and select Energy Biosciences.

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