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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GAO ISSUES REPORT ON SBIR PROGRAM
When the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program was reauthorized in 1982, Congress mandated that the General Accounting Office (GAO) report on certain aspects of the program. GAO has now issued the final report, Federal Research: Observations on the Small Business Innovation Research Program, under that charge.
A major finding of the report was that agencies are using different interpretations of the extramural budget definition which may lead to incorrect calculations of the amount to be set aside for SBIR projects. Only two of the five agencies reviewed by GAO had conducted audits of their extramural research budgets to determine appropriate levels.
To ensure that SBIR funding levels are correct, GAO recommends that SBA provide additional guidance to the participating agencies on how to calculate their extramural budgets.
Other findings include:
- There was an increase in the number of multiple award winners from 10 companies in 1989 to 17 companies in FY 1996 (where multiple award winners was defined as Phase I award recipients that also received 15 or more Phase II awards in the preceding 5 years; however, multiple award recipients and non-multiple award recipients commercialized their ideas at almost identical rates.
- Only one percent of SBIR companies have finalized licensing agreements with companies or investors in foreign countries.
- Companies in California and Massachusetts received 39 percent of all SBIR awards in FY 1996 although every state received at least two awards.
The report presents findings in ten areas outlined by Congress. The GAO report (RCED-98-132) is available on the Internet at: www.gao.gov/new.items/rc98132.pdf
TEXAS UNVEILS SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY STRATEGIC PLAN
Texas' Science and Technology Council recently released a science and technology strategic plan. The Council's vision is to make Texas the nation's leader in science and technology in the 21st century. The plan's premise is that technology is the economic force driving much of the state's current wealth and job creation. The report develops a series of recommendations with the intent of developing the research capacity and human resources Texas will need to ensure economic prosperity in the next century.
Much of the plan's focus is on human resources. However, two of the Council's recommendations would make significant changes to the state's technology-based economic development activities. The Council recommends in the report that the Advanced Research Program and Advanced Technology Program (ARP/ATP) receive an increase in funding. The current funding level of $60 million per biennium was established in 1985 when the program was created. The Council recommends the program be appropriated $90 million per biennium to foster the continued promotion of advanced research in Texas' universities.
The $90 million would be split with two-thirds of the new funding being allocated to institutions for matching money to encourage participation in research sponsored by the private sector and the federal government. The remaining one-third would be used to increase the dollars in the program for basic research.
The Council also recommends establishing the Texas Institute of Science and Technology to provide leadership, advice, and direction to the Governor and the Legislature and identify, support, and promote technology-based opportunities for Texas.
In the area of developing human resources, the Council estimates that more than 772,000 Texans work in the state's technology-based economy. However, industry requirements for skilled workers are growing faster than the state's workforce pool. Projections show that the state will need to fill more than 140,000 new positions in the technology workforce by the year 2000.
The S&T Council determined that the root of the workforce shortage problem stems from gaps in education and training. Texas is not producing sufficient numbers of high school graduates with adequate science and math skills which thereby decreases the number of students interested in pursuing college degrees in technology-related fields.
To combat this problem, the Council developed the following recommendations:
- Implement a statewide incentive-based Advanced Placement (AP) program in science and math in every Texas high school; and,
- Adopt a High Technology Curriculum in all of Texas' community colleges.
The Council feels that by implementing these two recommendations, students will receive the necessary education in math and science which will prepare them for, and therefore prompt them to pursue, technology-related careers.
The report also makes two additional recommendations to ensure that the state remains a technology leader. They are:
- Adopt a franchise tax credit for research and development activities; and,
- Develop a statewide information and marketing campaign.
For more information on the Strategic Plan, contact Jimmy Glotfelty in the Governor's Policy Office at 512/463-2198. The report will be able to be viewed on-line in a few weeks at www.governor.state.tx.us.
NOMINATIONS SOUGHT FOR TIBBETTS AWARD
The Small Business Administration (SBA) is seeking nominations for the third annual Tibbetts Awards to recognize outstanding individuals and organizations associated with the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program.
Nominees may be individuals, small firms, organizations and projects that have provided outstanding contributions to the SBIR program and may come from the private, non-profit, or government sectors.
Selection for a Tibbetts Award is based on: the economic impact of technological innovation, business achievement and effective collaborations, or demonstrated state and regional impact and proven support.
Nomination packages are due on May 29. Additional information and nomination forms are available on the Internet at www.inknowvation.com/Tibbetts
EDA Issues Solicitation for Economic Development Studies
The Economic Development Administration (EDA) has issued a solicitation for proposals on two economic development projects.
The first project, Evaluation of Technology Transfer and Commercialization Efforts, will evaluate the state of technology transfer and commercialization projects, report on best practices in the field, and present models for developing and implementing such types of projects at the local level, including in distressed areas.
One of the purposes of this proposal is to determine what the key ingredients of a successful technology transfer and commercialization project are. A second is to identify the appropriate tools and models for technology transfer and commercialization in varying economic situations, including in economically distressed communities.
The other project, Cutting-Edge and Innovative Practices in Economic Development, will, among other things, examine successful cutting-edge and innovative techniques in economic development that could be replicated in, adapted to, or serve as models for local economic development efforts; and, to develop a system for disseminating this information to the broadest possible audience.
Initial proposals are due May 28, 1998. A pre-proposal conference will be held May 7. Copies of the solicitation can be obtained by contacting the Research and National Technical Assistance Division of the Economic Development Administration at 202/482-4085.
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