In the March 17, 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.

Subscription to the SSTI Weekly Digest is free. If you are reading a forwarded copy of this issue and would like to receive your own copy each week directly, please subscribe at: http://www.ssti.org/Digest/digform.htm Requests to unsubscribe should be sent to sstiwd@ssti.org

Senate SBIR Language Offers $10 Million to States
SSTI has learned the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) reauthorization language the Senate Small Business Committee (SBC) will be marking up on Tuesday, March 21 is substantially different than HR 2392, passed by the House last fall. While HR 2392 basically makes housekeeping revisions to the $1.1 billion SBIR program, the SBC version includes several components addressing issues a majority of states identified as problems for their own SBIR outreach and assistance efforts. SSTI understands the proposed Senate language has support from key Committee members from both political parties.

For the past ten months, the Federal Technology Business Investment Committee of the Science and Technology Council of the States (STCS) has been developing recommendations to improve state-federal partnership on SBIR. Most of the recommendations of the STCS committee are addressed favorably in the SBC version of the SBIR Reauthorization bill including:

Funding for State SBIR Assistance
The SBC language authorizes creation of the Federal and State Technology Partnership Program (FAST), a $10 million initiative to provide matching funds for state efforts in SBIR outreach and technical assistance. FAST would be administered and managed jointly by the Small Business Administration (SBA), the National Science Foundation, and the Department of Defense. The program would be open to all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico; however, funding would be awarded competitively based on demonstrated need for the services proposed, reasonableness of costs, how well the proposed activities are integrated into the state’s existing programs to support small high-technology firms, and the manner in which the state will measure the results or effectiveness of the proposed activities.

In the FAST Program, states would have great flexibility to determine the best approach to take to assist their technology-based businesses. Each state would have to demonstrate why the approach — be it proposal review, Phase 0 grants, bridge grants, mentoring networks, commercialization funding, etc. — was selected for their business community. All approaches must lead toward the commercialization of SBIR technologies.

The FAST Program would include a three-stage match requirement based on a state’s overall performance in the SBIR program. The states which receive the fewest SBIR awards would only need to provide 50 cents match for each dollar of FAST funding, while the states with the most SBIR awards would need to provide 1:1 match. Intermediate states would match 75 cents for each FAST dollar received.

To insure integration with each state’s existing portfolio of technology-based economic development programs, the FAST program would only accept one proposal from each state each year. The Senate language requires the SBA Administrator to work in cooperation with the federal SBIR agencies, technology-based businesses, state science and technology councils, state EPSCoR committees, and state and local development agencies.

FAST awards would be for up to three years, allowing states more security and confidence in securing appropriate expertise and staff. The multi-year award term also allows more adequate time to measure each program’s impact. FAST would be authorized from FY 2001 through 2005.

Access to SBIR Information
HR 2392 includes a provision requiring agencies to store information on nonsuccessful applicants in a closed database accessible only to the federal agencies and authorized persons. The SBC language eliminates the creation of the government-only database as approved by the House, allowing state SBIR outreach programs to continue to use this information to help companies prepare improved SBIR proposals in the future or to redirect the businesses toward more appropriate technical or financial assistance.

The SBC language also expands the public SBA database of SBIR award winners to include information on new businesses created to commercialize SBIR-supported technologies and lists of mentors and mentoring networks available in assist winners and applicants.

An issue the states raised that is not addressed in the SBC language is that it does not require the agencies to provide timely access to information regarding nonawardees. Currently, the states report varying degrees of success in securing this information from the individual agencies.

Training of State SBIR Assistance Programs
A majority of the states have expressed interest in seeing an in-depth SBIR training program tailored to state and local outreach providers that is developed in partnership with the federal SBIR agencies. The STCS committee has outlined a concept plan for the development of a training program’s curriculum. The SBC 
language provides a vehicle for implementing the STCS plan by allowing states to apply for FAST program funding to either develop or participate in a training program.

Other Issues Addressed by the Senate
The SBC language also extends the SBIR Program until 2010, three years longer than HR 2392. The SBC language does not mention a study of the SBIR program authorized in HR 2392 that was to be completed by the National Research Council. Many proponents of the SBIR program considered the study unnecessary, pointing to the SBA annual reports and the several studies completed by the General Accounting Office over the life of the program.

The Senate Small Business Committee is chaired by Senator Christopher S. Bond of Missouri. Other members are: Conrad Burns, Montana; Paul Coverdell, Georgia; Robert F. Bennett, Utah; Olympia J. Snowe, Maine; Michael Enzi, Wyoming; Peter G. Fitzgerald, Illinois; Mike Crapo, Idaho; George V. Voinovich, Ohio; Spencer Abraham, Michigan; John F. Kerry, Massachusetts; Carl Levin, Michigan; Tom Harkin, Iowa; Joseph I. Lieberman, Connecticut; Paul Wellstone, Minnesota; Max Cleland, Georgia; Mary Landrieu, Louisiana; and John Edwards, North Carolina.

Full Senate consideration of SBIR reauthorization is expected in April.

Return to the top of this page

Ireland Launches $681 Million Technology Initiative
Last week, Mary Harney, Ireland’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, announced the establishment of a £560m ($681M U.S.) Technology Foresight Fund to establish Ireland as a location for world class research excellence in niche areas within biotechnology and information and communication technologies. According to Reuters’ reports, funding for the new initiative will be spread over seven years.

The Technology Foresight Fund — the country’s single largest investment ever for research, technological development and innovation — was conceived and designed by the Irish Council for Science, Technology, and Innovation (ICSTI), a publicly created organization to advise the Irish government on the strategic direction of science, technology and innovation policy.

Separate Task Force panels or subcommittees investigated technology development issues in eight industrial sectors: natural resources; chemicals/pharmaceuticals; health and life sciences; information and communications technology; materials and manufacturing; transport and logistics; construction/infrastructure; and energy. From the panels’ findings, the Task Force advanced several recommendations for consideration by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Commerce. The culmination was the decision for the Technology Foresight Fund to focus its activities on biotechnology and information and communication technologies — sectors identified to hold significant potential for Ireland as it moved to a technology-oriented economy.

A new research foundation will be established to evaluate research projects and to manage and allocate funding from the Technology Foresight Fund. The foundation’s objective will be to create a critical mass of world-class research within the biotech and information technology niche areas to be identified by the foundation.

The new research foundation, to be established over the next three months, will support researchers in Ireland’s colleges and research institutes through competitive international peer reviewed solicitations. In addition, the foundation will have the authority to established its own laboratories, if necessary, to secure world class performance.

More information on the Technology Foresight Fund can be found at: http://www.entemp.ie/pressrel/080300.htm 

Return to the top of this page

SSTI Releases New Publication
Digest readers may have noticed in our headlines over the past few months that state efforts to improve their economic standing through science and technology are undergoing a tremendous period of growth and expansion. While state S&T programs have been in existence since the 1950s, most activity occurred in the early 1980s and early 1990s during severe economic downturns. The activity of the last 15 months rivals that of the early 1980s and will in all likelihood ultimately surpass it.

New Developments in State Science and Technology Policy compiles the key state S&T initiatives covered in the SSTI Weekly Digest since late 1998. The 20-page publication serves as a convenient snapshot of current directions in state S&T policy and is an accessible way for state program officials, legislators, and others to learn easily about the most recent developments in the states.

SSTI sponsors will be receiving their complimentary copies of New Developments in State Science and Technology Policy early next week. For all others, individual copies are available for purchase from SSTI for $15.00 (US). The price is $12.00 per unit for orders of five or more copies.

Return to the top of this page

Federal R&D Opportunities

Department of Agriculture
The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Services (CSREES) are requesting proposals for Biotechnology Risk Assessment Grant awards. Successful proposals will help to address the concerns about the effects of introducing genetically modified organisms into the environment and helping regulators to develop policies regarding such introductions. Eligible applicants include all United States public and private research or educational institutions or organizations. Anticipated program funding is $1.5 million for FY 2000. The deadline for proposals is April 10, 2000. For more information, visit: http://www.reeusda.gov/crgam/biotechrisk/biotech.htm 

Department of Education
The Eisenhower Regional Mathematics and Science Education Consortia program, administered through the Office of Educational Research and Improvement, seeks applications for new awards for FY 2000. The program provides a regional and national technical assistance dissemination system that focuses on math and science education. Eligible applicants include private nonprofit organizations, institutions of higher education, elementary and secondary schools, state and local education agencies, and regional educational laboratories in consortium with the research and development centers established under section 931 (c)(1)(B)(i)of the Educational Research, Development, Dissemination, and Improvement Act of 1994. Ten proposals will be awarded a maximum of $1,470,000 for the first year and $1,475,000 for each of years 2-5. Proposals are due by April 17, 2000. To view the full proposal, visit: http://ocfo.ed.gov/fedreg.htm and click on “Announcements.”

Department of Energy
The Office of Biological and Environmental Research (OBER) requests applications for its Integrated Assessment of Global Climate Change program. The program funds research that contributes to integrated assessment of global climate change, including specialized topics to improve specific features. Colleges and universities, non-profit organizations, for-profit commercial organizations, state and local governments, and unaffiliated individuals may submit grant applications. It is anticipated that $1 million will be available to make multiple awards. Annual project budgets will range from $30,000-150,000 for up to three years. Pre-applications are encouraged; The formal application deadline is April 24, 2000. More information can be obtained at: http://www.sc.doe.gov/production/grants/grants.html 

The National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) seeks cooperative agreements for the Testing and Evaluation of Promising Mercury Control Technologies for Coal Based Power Systems. All interested parties are eligible to apply. Total project funding will be $10-13 million with multiple grants awarded. Cost sharing minimum requirements range from 20-33 percent. The deadlines are April 28 and August 31, 2000. To view the complete proposal, visit: http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/ and click on “Solicitations”

The Office of Power Technologies (OPT) requests financial assistance applications for technical analysis that can advance hydrogen production, storage, and utilization technologies. This request is a supplemental announcement to the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy’s (EERE) broad-based solicitation document concerning research, development, and demonstration. DOE anticipates awarding cooperative agreements for up to five projects, with a total project cost share of $750,000. Eligibility is unrestricted, with the exception of DOE national laboratories. Applications must be submitted by March 31, 2000. The full document can be found at: http://www.eren.doe.gov/golden/solicitations.html 

Department of Transportation
The Bureau of Transportation Statistics seeks applications for its new Transportation Statistics Research Grants program. The purpose of this program is to advance the field of transportation statistics. Eligible applicants include public and private non-profit institutions of higher education. A total of $500,000 will be available. Awards will range from $50,000-200,000. Cost sharing is required for awards of $100,000 or more. Applications must be received by April 27, 2000. For more information, contact David Banks at david.banks@bts.gov or at (202) 366-0963

Environmental Protection Agency
The Great Lakes National Program Office (GLNPO) is now accepting proposals for GLNPO funding. The goals of this request for proposals are to design and validate indicators to access ecological integrity of the Great Lakes coastal wetlands, to design an implementable, long-term program to monitor Great Lakes coastal wetlands, and to create and populate a binational database accessible to all scientists, decision makers, and the public. Eligible applicants include institutions that have the capacity and experience to serve as the manager and fiscal agent representing a binational, multi-disciplinary, broad-based consortium of Great Lakes scientists and wetland resource managers. The successful applicant will be awarded a $400,000 cooperative agreement. The cost sharing minimum requirement is $200,000. The deadline for submission of proposals is April 28, 2000. For more information, contact John Schneider at (312) 886-0880

Return to the top of this page

NASA and Navy Inventions Available
NASA and the Department of the Navy each have published lists of two inventions and one invention, respectively, that are owned by the federal government and are available for licensing. Foreign patent applications are filed on selected inventions to extend market coverage for companies and may also be available for licensing.

Both the lists and contact information are available for review on the SSTI website at: http://www.ssti.org/Digest/Tables/031700t.htm 

Return to the top of this page

State Science & Technology Institute
5015 Pine Creek Drive
Westerville, OH 43081
Phone: (614) 901-1690
Fax: (614) 901-1696
Email: ssti@ssti.org

  © 2002 State Science and Technology Institute. All rights reserved.