- 1999 EPSCot Winners Named
- Powell Retires from ATP Directorship
- Advanced Aeronautical/Space Studies Funding Offered
- North Dakota S&T Starts Over
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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1999 EPSCoT Winners Named
The U.S. Department of Commerce has announced selections for the second — and perhaps final — round of funding for the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Technology (EPSCoT). Nearly two million dollars will be distributed among eleven projects selected from 29 proposals submitted last spring. The program is designed to assist state and local efforts to initiate technology-based economic development efforts in areas historically lacking federal research funding. These 11 projects join the seven original EPSCoT projects announced last January.The future of the program is up in the air; the Clinton Administration did not request any EPSCoT funding for FY 2000. The Department of Commerce has explained it will evaluate the success of the 18 projects during the next fiscal year in lieu of making any new awards.
The new EPSCoT awards are listed below. A detailed description of each project, including contact information, can be found at:the EPSCoT website: http://www.ta.doc.gov/epscot/
- TEAM DELTA: Technology-Based Economic Development in the Mississippi River Delta (Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi)
Lead Applicant: Institute for Technology Development, Inc.
This project will benefit the Delta region by bringing together all stakeholders in a comprehensive effort to raise community awareness about the role of technology in the economy. Project participants will hold Technology-based Economic Development Workshops, conduct Community Technology Assessments, develop Asynchronous-learning Modules, and hold an Accessing Technology Conference for the Delta Region. The $290,000 agreement is being matched by $139,800 in additional funding.- Development of an Entertainment Technologies Industry in Southern Nevada
Lead Applicant: Henderson Chamber of Commerce
A consortium of educational, municipal, state, and industry partners will undertake activities to grow and expand the technology industry in southern Nevada. Project participants will conduct an in-depth needs analysis, hold industry roundtables, identify barriers to technology growth, and develop and implement training programs. The $279,175 grant will be matched by over
$413,225 in local funds.- Oregon Emerging Business Initiative
Lead Applicant: Oregon University System
This proposal seeks to re-orient Oregon’s economic development strategy and reduce barriers between higher education and emerging technology businesses. It is focused on three areas: research and new technology development, knowledge transfer, and industry cluster identification and assistance. The $250,000 grant will be matched by $350,000 in state funds.- 1999 South Carolina Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Technology
Lead Applicant: University of South Carolina, Byrnes International Center
This project establishes a university-based incubator network. Two incubator facilities will be linked to economic development entities, venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, and each other through a Virtual
Entrepreneurial Development Center. The $250,000 grant will be matched by $531,563 in additional funding.- Center for Enterprise Development and Commercialization Support (Maine and New Hampshire)
Lead Applicant: The Center for Environmental Enterprise
This private/public partnership will conduct a collaborative training and support program for emerging technology firms. The project will improve small businesses’ access to university resources, provide on-site training, and improve small firms’ access to capital. The $200,000 grant will be matched by more than $243,000
in local funds.- RF Wireless Testing and Training Cluster in Eastern Nebraska
Lead Applicant: University of Nebraska-Lincoln
The project involves provision of a test facility, delivery of short courses and workshops to foster ongoing training, and development of hands-on experimental training modules for engineers and technicians on the use of high-technology test equipment and computer-aided design software. The $162,000 grant will be matched by $187,776 in local funds.- North Dakota EPSCoT: Enhancing Technology North Dakota
Lead Applicant: University of North Dakota
Enhancing Technology North Dakota (ETND) will provide the framework and infrastructure necessary to enable more technology-based companies to compete successfully in federal research and development programs and support successful technology commercialization. The $160,000 grant is being matched by $191,000 in additional funding.- West Virginia Entrepreneurial Network
Lead Applicant: West Virginia Governor’s Office of Technology
The West Virginia Technology Entrepreneurial Knowledge (WVTEK) network will initiate a "Technology Entrepreneurs Academy and Network." The project will assist technology-based entrepreneurs in developing ideas into marketable products and services, developing comprehensive business plans, securing financing and physical facilities, and in bringing together public and private resources to support technology-based entrepreneurial activities. The $150,000 cooperative agreement will be matched by $150,000 in state funds.- Nevada EPSCoT Program
Lead Applicant: TechAlliance@New Nevada
The TechAlliance@NewNevada, a private sector organization, will develop a resource directory for high-tech businesses and educational material on the needs of the high-tech industry for commercial developers, bankers, educators, and economic development officials. The $100,000 grant is being matched by $501,276 in local funds.- Enhancement of Science and Technology-Based Economic Development in Vermont
Lead Applicant: University of Vermont and State Agricultural College
This project will support a Technical Liaison program to improve small businesses’ access to the resources of the University of Vermont. The project also includes a statewide outreach effort to inform entrepreneurs about Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) opportunities. The $86,042 grant will be matched by $87,311 in local funds.- Cameron University EPSCoT Planning Grant Request (Oklahoma)
Lead Applicant: Cameron University
Over the course of the next year, this effort will analyze the existing workforce of the region and develop an economic development plan and an implementation strategy toward diversifying the local economy. The $70,000 grant will be matched by over $323,719 in local funds.Return to the top of this page
Powell Retires From ATP Directorship
Dr. Lura Powell, Director of the Advanced Technology Program (ATP) since 1995, has decided to take early retirement from the National Institute of Standards & Technology and pursue career opportunities in the private sector. Because of the voluntary early retirement option deadline, Dr. Powell’s retirement was effective September 30.Dr. Powell joined the then-National Bureau of Standards in 1972 in the Center for Analytical Chemistry and held several research and management positions before being assigned to establish the NIST Biotechnology Division in 1991. She received the Department of Commerce Gold Medal for leadership of ATP and the Silver Medal for building the NIST biotechnology research program.
Cita Furlani, who is currently serving as the Acting Deputy Director of the ATP, will take over as Acting Director of the ATP, subject to departmental approval.
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Funding Offered for Advanced Aeronautical/Space Studies
The NASA Institute of Advanced Concepts (NIAC) has issued a call for proposals to support the development of revolutionary and imaginative aeronautical and space concepts that could dramatically influence how NASA develops and conducts its mission 10-40 years into the future.Through the solicitation, NIAC will support six-month projects to test the validity or feasibility of new, advanced concepts. Phase I financial support will range between $50,000 to $75,000. Phase II funding of up to $500,000 will be awarded competitively to Phase I recipients based on a Fall 2000 Call for Proposals.
Proposals are due on January 31, 2000. Eligibility is open to all categories of domestic and foreign individuals and organizations except NASA organizations. Total funding available is undisclosed, but 16 and 14 Phase I proposals were selected during the first and second funding cycles.
For more information, visit the NIAC website at: http://www.niac.usra.edu
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North Dakota S&T Starts Over
While many states are adding multi-million programs to their science and technology portfolio, state-led S&T efforts in much of the North Central United States are still suffering. The latest example was the elimination of North Dakota’s two largest programs this summer.Technology Transfer, Inc. (TTI) and the North Dakota Manufacturing Technology Partnership were closed effective June 30. Staff for the state’s Department of Economic Development & Finance, which inherited administration and oversight of TTI’s outstanding projects, was cut by 30 percent as well.
Technology Transfer, Inc. was a nonprofit corporation established by the state in 1991 to foster the innovation and commercialization of new technologies. TTI was the only state-based resource in North Dakota for high-risk R&D funding. Project funding of up to $100,000 was available to companies with marketable ideas for products or manufacturing processes. Repayment of TTI funds was to be made through royalties if the product or process was commercialized successfully.
Along with TTI’s portfolio, the North Dakota Department of Economic Development & Finance also has assumed responsibility for services formerly offered by the Manufacturing Technology Partnership. The partnership had been run by North Dakota State University.
The department has submitted a State Technology Extension Program (STEP) proposal to the National Institute of Standards & Technology for development of a new strategy to address the technology needs of North Dakota’s manufacturing base. Until funding is received for that project, the department’s six business development specialists will call on industrial firms as part of the state's existing retention and expansion
efforts.Meanwhile, the University of North Dakota’s Center for Innovation has received a $160,000 EPSCoT grant to expand its assistance for businesses seeking federal research funding (see EPSCoT story earlier in this issue).
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No Digest Next Week
The SSTI Offices will be closed Wednesday, October 6 - Monday, October 11 due to the SSTI conference and in observance of the Columbus Day holiday.Due to SSTI’s 3rd Annual Conference next week, the SSTI Weekly Digest will not be published on October 8.
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