In the November 27, 1998 Issue:
- DOE Seeks Proposals for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Projects
- Massachusetts Technology Collaborative Releases Innovation Index
- Ford Foundation Encourages Innovative Programs
- NMFS Accepting S.E. Fisheries Proposals
- ATP Correction & Notice of Proposers' Conferences
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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DOE Seeks Proposals for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Projects
The Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) is soliciting applications for financial assistance in the areas of information dissemination, public outreach, training and related technical analysis, and technical assistance activities relating to renewable energy and energy conservation. Approximately $12 million in funding will be available with $5.5 million available for renewable energy programs and $6.5 million for conservation programsThe objectives of the solicitation are to provide financial support to activities which will: 1) stimulate increased energy efficiency in transportation, buildings, industry, and the federal sector and encourage increased use of renewable energy; and 2) accelerate the adoption of new technologies to increase energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy.
Eligible applicants for this solicitation are profit organizations, non-profit institutions and organizations, state and local governments, universities, and individuals.
The solicitation will have two closing dates. The first is currently planned for January 5, 1999. The second is currently planned for March 24, 1999. Grants and cooperative agreements are expected to be awarded in March 1999 for the first evaluation and in June 1999 for the second evaluation. It is expected that the majority of the funds will be awarded during the first evaluation period, therefore prospective candidates may wish to submit their proposals by the January deadline.
The final solicitation, DE-PS01-99EE10649, will be posted on the DOE Business Opportunities Web page at www.pr.doe.gov/solicit.html in early December 1998. Currently, a draft solicitation is available for review. All communications on this solicitation will be posted only on the webpage. Prospective applicants should check the webpage at regular intervals for updates and the posting of the final solicitation.
Massachusetts Technology Collaborative Releases Innovation Index
The Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MTC) released its second annual Index of the Massachusetts Innovation Economy earlier this month. The report tracks 31 performance indicators and explores the implications of each indicator on the long-term growth and stability of the Massachusetts economy.
Included in this year's report is an analysis of "the Dynamics of Innovation" using healthcare technology's contributions to the state economy as an example. The special section illustrates the interrelationship of the innovation process and many of the indicators used in the Index.
The MTC Index reports indicators from primary and secondary sources in nine key industry clusters, which represent 24 percent of the state's non-government employment and 35 percent of private-sector payroll. Eight of the measures are new this year for the Index.
The 31 indicators are divided into three sections. Resource Indicators measure the availability of technological, investment, human, and infrastructure resources that are needed to support innovation. Process Indicators measure idea generation, technology commercialization, entrepreneurship, and business innovation. The Results Indicators measure the business and human benefits of innovation and the Massachusetts' economic vitality.
For each indicator, MTC explains the significance of the measure, graphically presents the data, describes the state's performance, and interprets the implications of the indicator's trends for the Massachusetts economy.
At least three other states are active in measuring innovation indicators for their economies: Illinois has completed its study, while Kansas and Maryland analyses are presently underway.
Copies of Index of the Massachusetts Innovation Economy: 1998, a 44-page, full-color report, may be obtained for $20.00 from MTC via their website: www.mtpc.org or by calling 508/870-0312.
Ford Foundation Encourages Innovative Programs
The Ford Foundation, through the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard, is accepting applications for the Innovations in American Government program. The Ford Foundation will be awarding $100,000 grants to ten government programs and $20,000 grants to an additional ten programs, for a total of $1.2 million.
The Innovations Program strives to identify and celebrate outstanding examples of creative problem- solving in the public sector. Since its inception in 1986, the Program has recognized 205 innovative programs, which have received $13.3 million in Ford Foundation grants.
All units of governmentCfederal, state, and local, tribal, and territorialCwithin the United States are eligible for recognition and awards. Innovations that arise within defense and international agencies are eligible, but only if they have significant domestic policy content.
The Innovations in American Government awards are intended to draw attention to exemplary achievements in government problem-solving and to amplify the voices of public innovators in communicating their practices. In addition, the Kennedy School develops instructional materials based on the contributions of award-winning innovations to creative problem-solving in the public sector. Federal awards are managed by the Council for Excellence in Government in Washington, D.C.
Applications are due by January 8, 1999. For additional information or an application, call 800/722-0074 or visit the Innovations website at www.ksg.harvard.edu/innovations
NMFS Accepting S.E. Fisheries Proposals
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has announced the availability of approximately $1.10 million in FY 1999 funding under its Marine Fisheries Initiative (MARFIN). The program targets research and development projects related to fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico and off the south Atlantic states of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida.Research areas of special interest to the Fisheries Service include bycatch, reef fish, coastal migratory pelagic fisheries, and groundfish and estuarine fishes. General areas of interest include methods for data collection, management, analysis, and better conservation.
Proposals are due into the NMFS Southeast Regional Office in St. Petersburg, Florida by December 28. For additional information on the program, contact Ellie Francisco Roche, Chief, State/Federal Liaison Office, at 727/ 570-5324.
ATP Correction & Notice of Proposers' Conferences
The November 20 SSTI Weekly Digest article on the current Advanced Technology Program (ATP) competition should have stated the following information on ATP's indirect cost policy:
- for single proposer projects, ATP will fund only direct costs; the company must cover its indirect costs. Large businesses submitting single-company proposals must support 60 percent or more of total project costs which may include both direct and indirect costs.
- for joint venture projects, industry must pay at least 50 percent of the total project costs. ATP's portion may include both direct and indirect costs.
Two ATP proposers' conferences will answer additional questions on ATP's policy toward indirect costs and many other issues. Those conferences will be held:
December 15, 1998 from 1:30 - 4:30 p.m. at the National Institute of Standards and Technology in Gaithersburg, Maryland, and
January 11, 1999 from 9:30 am - 12:30 p.m. at the Marriott Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco.
To register or request more information contact the ATP office at 1-800-ATP-FUND. Attendance is free.
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