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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DOD SEEKS PROPOSALS FOR REGIONAL SBIR CONFERENCES
To encourage participation in the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) has allocated funds to help support up to five state or regional SBIR conferences in the next year. The purpose of the grants is to encourage participation in the SBIR program by companies located in the areas of the country that are under-represented in SBIR proposals and/or awards.
DoD's role will be limited to providing administrative support for the conferences and to helping recruit speakers from DoD and the other federal agencies. Primary management and funding for the conference will need to be provided by the conference sponsor. Proposals will be evaluated by DoD staff based on: 1) the likelihood of the effort to encourage participation in SBIR companies in areas of the country that do not receive many SBIR awards; and 2) the quality and extent of the resources provided by the conference sponsor.
Interested parties should send a short proposal (two pages maximum) by e-mail to david@foresnt.com or by fax to 561/791-0098 by August 1. For questions, contact Foresight Science and Technology by e-mail at david@foresnt.com or by phone at 561/791-0720.
CULPEPER FOUNDATION ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR BIOMEDICAL PILOT PROJECTS INITIATIVE
The Charles E. Culpeper Foundation is accepting grant applications for the new Biomedical Pilot Projects Initiative, designed to encourage the creation of promising new approaches to challenges facing the health care field. The Initiative is designed to support the investigation of novel ideas in the areas of the Foundation's interest in health, particularly in molecular genetics, bio-engineering, molecular pharmacology and health services research. Grants of up to $25,000 will be made on a one-time basis with the possibility for renewal for a second year upon re-application. These grants could be viewed as "venture capital" investments that should lead to greater funding opportunities through traditional sources.
Nonprofit health care organizations, accredited medical schools, and universities in the United States are eligible to apply. The deadline for proposals is August 14.
For additional information, contact the Charles E. Culpeper Foundation in Stamford, CT at 203/ 975-1240 or on the Internet at www.culpeper.org/biomed.htm
MAINE AND NAVY CREATE PARTNERSHIP TO USE REMOTE SENSING TECHNOLOGY
The State of Maine, the University of Maine, the US Navy, and the Maine Science and Technology Foundation (MSTF) have signed an agreement that initiates a partnership to improve the stewardship of the state's natural resources.
The partners will work together under a memorandum of agreement to gather and exchange environmental information using the Navy's remote sensing technology. This technology can be used to monitor erosion, pollution, sea level rise, fishery stocks, and the conditions that would be ripe for algae blooms which kill countless fish and shellfish each year.
Remote sensing is a process in which extremely clear pictures are taken from distant equipment, such as a satellite, an airplane, or radar. Scientists match these crystal clear photographs with the information known about landscape and topography to obtain nearly perfect descriptions of the environment. This matching process is called "ground truthing."
The partners will create integrated science and technology working groups; determine the data and technology needed for joint projects; identify related research papers that can be shared; select the best sites for multi-use ground truthing; prepare a plan to obtain and continually update a large, high-resolution data library; conduct a cost-benefit analysis on using remote sensing advanced technology for military and commercial projects; and identify sources of federal funding to execute identified projects.
Maine is among the first states to take advantage of the precise remote sensing technology available through Navy aircraft programs.
MSTF, which facilitated this agreement, is a state-chartered, non-profit organization that stimulates economic growth in Maine through the practical application of world-class science and technology. For more information, visit their web-site at www.mstf.org.
GOODMAN TO RETIRE
Nadia Goodman, the Louisiana Department of Economic Development's Director of Policy, Planning and Technology, has announced that she is retiring effective June 30. In addition to being very active within the Science and Technology Council of the States (STCS), Mrs. Goodman has been a good friend of SSTI's since its creation. SSTI staff trust that she will continue to provide advice and offer insights from her new residence in Mexico.
For information on how to stay in contact with Mrs. Goodman, contact SSTI at 614/421-SSTI (7784). or Victor Johnson at the Louisiana Department of Economic Development at 504/342-5388.
NCIIA SEEKS PROPOSALS TO SUPPORT ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN HIGHER EDUCATION
The National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Alliance (NCIIA) is seeking proposals that support innovation, invention, and entrepreneurship programs in U.S. colleges and universities. Through December 1998, NCIIA will award $400,000 in grants to faculty and students of member institutions.
The NCIIA is interested in proposals for courses and projects which further the concept of E-Teams. E-Teams are groups of students, faculty, and professional who join together to pursue the development of an idea, product, or invention, or to solve a problem in a way that has the promise of developing an enterprise that will generate jobs and social benefits. The "E" stands for "excellence" and "entrepreneurship."
There are three levels of grant categories. The first level is for E-Team curriculum development. In this category grants of $2,000 will be awarded to faculty to revise existing courses or develop new courses that will encourage innovation and generate E-Teams.
The second level is for grants that will support E-Team formation. Grants ranging from $2,000 to $15,000 will be awarded to the student teams within courses to assist them in developing new solutions to real-world problems. Funding can be used for supplies, equipment, or expenses directly related to the project development.
The third level of funding is for grants that will used for advanced E-Team funding.. Grants ranging from $1,000 to $20,000 will be awarded to advanced E-Teams for further development and commercialization of their ideas.
The NCIIA is interested in proposals for courses and projects in which:
- Students identify and solve real problems for which answers may not yet exist and whose solutions can lead to new entrepreneurial opportunities; or,
- Students use existing databases and other sources of technology and patent information to identify and develop their E-Team projects.
For additional information on the NCIIA and the Request for Proposals, visit their website at www.hampshire.edu/nciia
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