In the June 4, 1999 Issue:

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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Inventions & Innovations Program RFP Released
The U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Industrial Technologies has issued the solicitation for the Inventions and Innovations Program (IIP). The competitive program provides financial assistance for establishing technical performance and conducting early development of innovative ideas and inventions. Selected projects must have significant energy savings and future commercial market potential.

Total grant funding available is anticipated to be $2.3 million. Two levels of funding are available:

Larger projects involving commercial demonstration are directed to apply for National Industrial Competitiveness through Efficiency, Economics and (NICE3) funding (see related article).

Individual inventors, small businesses, universities, and not-for-profit research institutions may apply for Category 1 projects; only small businesses and inventors are eligible for Category 2 funding.

Cost sharing is not required but will be considered favorably, particularly on Category 2 applications. Funding may not be used for patent applications or solely for advertising or marketing activities.

IIP applications within the nine Industries of the Future focus areas of the Office of Industrial Technologies will be provided special funding consideration. The nine areas are: agriculture, aluminum, chemicals, forest products, glass, metalcasting, mining, petroleum, and steel. Technology roadmaps for each industry group are available at the website for the Office of Industrial Technologies (see below).

Projects within eight activity areas are ineligible for consideration, including nuclear power generation and waste treatment; weapons; and, oil, gas, and coal exploration. The complete list is available in the solicitation.

Proposals must be submitted to the Golden, Colorado Field Office by 3:00 p.m. Mountain Time on July 30, 1999. Award announcements are anticipated to be made by the end of the year.

Questions should be directed to Jim Damm by phone (303) 275-4788 or by email jim_damm@nrel.gov. The solicitation can be downloaded from the DOE website at: http://www.oit.doe.gov/inventions/  

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NICE3 Offering $2.1 Million
The annual National Industrial Competitiveness through Energy, Environment, and Economics (NICE3) solicitation for applications has been released by the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Industrial Technologies. Proposals are due by September 1, 1999. Selections will be announced in December.

DOE has $2.1 million available for awards. Awards of up to $525,0000 will be made to state/industry partnerships leading to cleaner production in manufacturing and industrial sectors. DOE will contribute a maximum of 50 percent of the total project costs.

To be eligible for NICE3 funding, projects must be beyond the research and development stage and must have test results showing the technology to be economically attractive.

The full solicitation, including funding priorities and exclusions, can be obtained at http://www.oit.doe.gov/nice3/

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Proposals for CASTL Pilot Program Sought
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is seeking proposals to establish pilot programs partnering local school boards and businesses for enhanced professional development of K-12 math, science and technology teachers.

The purpose of the Community Alliance for Math, Science and Technology Literacy (CASTL) pilot program is to create new professional development activities to help increase teacher recruitment and retention; assist teachers in developing hands-on workplace-based math, science and technology curriculum; and, increase communication between educational and business enterprises.

Approximately $200,000 will be available for this CASTL pilot program in fiscal year 1999. It is anticipated that ten awards of up to $20,000 will be selected. The funding will be used to pay the administrative cost for starting the community project. This seed funding will focus on urban and rural statistical areas, and other areas identified as requiring special assistance in promoting math, science and technology education. Cost sharing and matching are not required under this new program.

Partnerships between local educational agencies and the local business and/or research communities are eligible to submit applications for the CASTL grants. Proposals are due by July 1, 1999.

For additional information contact Dr. Jack Hsia, Program Coordinator, at 301/975-3067 or via e-mail at jack.hsia@nist.gov .

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Nominations Sought for Annual SBIR Award
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is seeking nominations for the fourth annual Tibbetts Awards. Named after Rowland Tibbetts, who established the first Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program at the National Science Foundation more than 20 years ago, the award recognizes outstanding contributions of small firms, projects, organizations and individuals involved in SBIR.

More than 200 people and companies have received the award since it was first initiated in 1996. Awardees are recognized at an event in Washington each fall.

The SBA attempts to make at least one Tibbetts Award in every state each year. Nominations are due July 15, 1999.

Nomination forms may be obtained from the SBA SBIR website: http://www.sba.gov/sbir/

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Global Venture Forum Applications Due
The Global Venture Forum is a business development event sponsored by the Osaka Chamber of Commerce to help Japanese and foreign firms find Japanese partners for investment, trade, distribution, and global business.

Since the Global Venture Forum started in 1995, 44 percent of the participants have found business partners.

Approximately 35 firms will be selected to join 15 Japanese businesses as presenters. Selected firms pay a registration fee of $950 which covers meals, one-night hotel accommodations, all AV equipment, a professional interpreter for two days, simultaneous translation, and translated summaries distributed to Japanese organizations, media and businesses.

There is no cost to submit an application to present. Two-page applications are due by June 15.

Washington International Business Ventures (WIBV) is serving as the North American office for the Global Venture Forum. To apply or for more information, visit the WIBV website at http://www.wibv.com or contact Peter Drabble at (202) 467-4403.

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Position Available
The State Science and Technology Institute (SSTI) is seeking a Policy Analyst. The Institute serves as a resource center for initiatives in all 50 states that encourage technology-based economic development.

The Analyst's responsibilities include: conducting research on policy issues; interacting with state and federal practitioners and policy makers; writing and producing issue papers and project reports; contributing to a weekly newsletter; responding to requests for information; and working with staff, board members, and sponsors on a variety of projects.

Candidates should have excellent written and verbal skills; strong research and organization capability; the ability to work independently and as part of a team; and, a dedication to creating a quality product.

Compensation is commensurate with experience. Resumes will be accepted until the position is filled. To apply, mail cover letter and resume to: Personnel, SSTI, 5039 Pine Creek Drive, Westerville, OH 43081; or via e-mail to personnel@ssti.org 

A copy of this description can also be found on the SSTI website at http://www.ssti.org 

SSTI is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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