In the March 3, 2000 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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NGA Identifies State Strategies for New Economy
At its winter meeting last week, the National Governors' Association (NGA) launched a new initiative to explore how states can meet the challenges of governing in the New Economy. During the next six months, NGA's Center for Best Practices will release a series of papers that focus on seven different aspects of the New Economy. A complete list of the papers included in the series can be viewed at: http://www.nga.org/Releases/PR-26Feb2000Strategies.asp

A new 50-page report, State Strategies for the New Economy, begins this series by presenting action steps to the nation’s governors from the NGA Task Force on the New Economy. The Task Force calls for changes in the way states govern, deliver services, and attract the workers and businesses driving the New Economy.

The first half of State Strategies focuses on defining the New Economy and its impact on state government. The final three chapters suggest recommendations for reengineering state government, building the state's intellectual and physical infrastructure, and reshaping the state's economic environment. These final two chapters are most relevant to state S&T policy makers in the strong emphasis on higher education, workforce training, university R&D capacity, and assistance for entrepreneurs.

A complete copy of State Strategies for the New Economy can be downloaded from the NGA website: http://www.nga.org/Pubs/IssueBriefs/2000/Strategies.asp

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Federal R&D Opportunities
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory seeks potential sources for an anticipated Request for Proposals (RFP) in the area of Parabolic Trough Technology Development. Larger projects with potential for significant advances in the development of trough technology will be given priority over smaller projects. Multiple awards are anticipated with a total of $200,000 to $400,000 to be allotted. There is a 10% minimum cost-sharing requirement. Interested individuals must request an RFP by March 8, 2000. These can be requested by fax at (303) 384-7352 or by email at jim_fox@nrel.gov

The Minority Science and Engineering Improvement Program (MSEIP) seeks applications for fiscal year 2000 awards to affect long-range improvement in science and engineering education at predominately minority institutions. A total of 37 awards with ranges from $15,000 to $500,000 will be given. Eligible applicants include those listed under Section 361 of Title III of the Higher Education Act (HEA) including public and private minority, nonprofit higher education institutions that award associate and baccalaureate degrees. The deadline for applications is March 27, 2000. For more information, contact: http://www.ocfo.ed.gov/fedreg.htm

The National Institute of Corrections (NIC) seeks proposals to develop and establish the first two phases of "community restorative justice" performance outcome, measurement and evaluation protocols. One proposal will be awarded a maximum of $41,000 ($17,000 for Phase I and $24,000 for Phase II). Eligible candidates include any state or general unit of local government, public or private agency, educational institution, organization or individual with skills to successfully meet the outcome of the project. Applications must be received by March 30, 2000. For more information, go to: http://www.nicic.org and click on “What’s New” and “Cooperative Agreements”

The National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) seeks proposals for the development of Advanced Combustion Systems. The program seeks to obtain reaction kinetic data of high pressure and high temperature combustion systems which operate in reaction environments to serve as a basis for development of advanced combustion power systems. Approximately $3,000,000 will be awarded with $1,000,000-$1,500,000 given to each project. Cost sharing levels must be 20% or more. Eligible applicants include U.S. universities, private energy equipment researchers, developers or manufacturers. Proposals must be received by April 3, 2000. To view the complete proposal, visit: http://www.netl.doe.gov/business

The National Energy Technology Lab (NETL) is also seeking proposals for Biomass Cofiring Opportunities. More specifically, these proposals must develop technologies for cofiring biomass feedstocks with fossil fuels. Multiple awards are anticipated with a total of $18-22 million to be awarded in the form of cost-sharing agreements. Eligible applicants include individuals, corporations, nonprofit organizations, small businesses, educational institutions, and state or local governments. Proposals are due by April 4, 2000. For more information, go to: http://www.netl.doe.gov/business and click on “Solicitations”

The Indian Head Division of the Naval Surface Warfare Center is seeking sources for collaboration to co-develop energetic solutions to clear mines and obstacles from beach and surf landing zones. Eligible applicants include agencies, groups, or corporate interests. Interested organizations should contact Ahn Duong at (301) 744-6703 or by email at duongan@ih.navy.mil

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New Developments in State S&T Legislation

Arizona
Legislation has been introduced to permit one percent of the permanent state trust funds to be invested in economic development projects as authorized by the Arizona Board of Investment. The concurrent resolution, HCR 2033, was referred to several committees for consideration. Another bill under consideration in the Arizona House, HB 2447, would create the Arizona Capital Access Program, a revolving investment fund secured by state tax credits to encourage technology-focused venture capital investments in the state.

California
Governor Gray Davis has proposed spending up to $300 million over the next four years to create three California Institutes for Science and Innovation on three of the nine campuses of the University of California. According to the Governor's budget request, the funds would be used to create world-class centers for strategic innovation that combine cutting-edge research with training for new scientists and technological leaders. All public funding for the institutes would have to be matched on a 3:1 public:private ratio.

The Governor's budget request also includes: a $13 million increase in basic and applied research in selected programs at the University of California (UC); a $2.2 million increase for the Technology Investment Partnership program; $10 million for biomass conversion assistance; $4.1 million for commercial space technology grants and assistance; $5 million for two Next Generation Internet centers and $8 million in UC research; and a $1.2 million increase for manufacturing technology grants to businesses.

Finally, the Davis Administration also has proposed an increase in the Alternative Incremental Research and Development Credit. The credit was designed to assist firms that had significant research expenses, but could not utilize the traditional research credit because it requires an increase in expenditures over a specific base period. The proposal is designed to increase California's competitiveness in attracting aerospace and other high-tech firms that utilize this credit. It is estimated to result in revenue losses of approximately $4 million in 2000-01.

Indiana
Legislation to make the state's R&D tax credit permanent passed the Indiana House of Representative by a vote of 98-2 and the Senate Committee on Finance by a vote of 12-2. The bill, HB 1214, now moves to the full Senate for its consideration. Last November the General Assembly passed legislation temporarily extending the credit and permitting local governments to grant tax abatements to businesses for new equipment purchases devoted exclusively to R&D activities (Senate Bill 14).

Maine
Submitted to SSTI by Michael Ryan of the Maine Science & Technology Foundation
State Representative Richard Rosen has introduced legislation that would establish an "Applied Research and Development Fund" to be used for applied research and development relevant to the Maine economy. The fund would receive annual general fund appropriations equivalent to one percent of actual general fund revenue for the previous year. Uses of the fund would include, but not be limited to: development of new technology to create high-value jobs and businesses in the state; contribution toward commercialization of new technology and products; promotion of international research and development cooperation; enhancement of worldwide competitiveness of state industries; and leverage and matching grants for available federal funding.

Montana
The Montana Supreme Court recently struck down the state's plans to use $20 million of the $640 million coal tax trust for research and commercialization-based economic development programs — for background see SSTI Weekly Digest article of April 9, 1999 While the case was pending, the state's agriculture and commerce departments developed the infrastructure for an agricultural seed capital account, SBIR Phase 0 grants, a manufacturing extension center, an SBDC network, and several other initiatives. All of these efforts are now on hold for lack of funds.

The state legislature is not scheduled to convene until 2001; however, a special session may be called if an alternative funding scenario can be developed through the interim business, labor and agriculture committee meeting being held this week.

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S&T Positions Available
The State of Maine’s Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) Committee seeks a Statewide EPSCoR Director to coordinate and facilitate the activities of the State’s EPSCoR Steering Committee, called the Research Capacity Committee (RCC). A three-person management team consisting of the Chancellor of the University of Maine System (UMS), the President of the Maine Science and Technology Foundation (MSTF), and the Chair of the RCC appoint the Director and oversee the Director’s activities. The Director reports directly to the Chair of the RCC. Letters of application, a resume, and three references should be submitted in time to be received no later than April 7, 2000.

The National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges seeks applications to fill the position of Director, Federal Relations-Research/Higher Education. The Director assists the NASULGC President and the Executive Vice President in the formulation and implementation of association policies relating to research and higher education matters pending before the U.S. Congress or the executive branch agencies. Applications will be accepted through March 30, 2000.

More detailed descriptions of these and other current openings may be found on the S&T Job Corner of the SSTI Website http://www.ssti.org/posting.htm

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SSTI Website Changes
SSTI has added two new features to our web site to make your visits easier. Both are free services from Mind-It.com. First, a site search engine has been added to our home page http://www.ssti.org allowing quicker browsing and researching.

The second new feature is a free notification service http://www.ssti.org/whatsnew.htm  which sends subscribers email messages whenever our site is updated. Recipients are then able to click on the link to SSTI's home page to see the modifications we've made to the site (follow "What's New"). Mind-It.com allows individual users to monitor several unrelated web pages with this valuable service http://mindit.netmind.com/

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