- Science and Engineering "In Transition", NSB Finds
- New Roles for Technology Commercialization Identified for NW States
- Federal and Foundation Funding Opportunities
- Comments Sought on E-Commerce, Copyrights
- ACE-Net to Privatize by Sept. 1
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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Science and Engineering "In Transition", NSB Finds
Increasing globalization of research and development (R&D) and the prolific growth of information technology (IT) are major elements in a "science and engineering enterprise that is in transition," the National Science Board (NSB) reports in Science and Engineering Indicators 2000.The new S&E Indicators report emphasizes a changing context for the National Science Foundation, and for science and engineering, generally. According to Science Board chair Eamon Kelly, there has been rapid worldwide growth and emphasis in science and technology, heightened by broad collaboration among nations. Recognizing the trend, the NSB devoted portions of each of the nine chapters in the new S&E Indicators to international comparisons and global patterns in science, engineering, education and technology.
The report describes growing evidence of how fundamental science has contributed to a stronger U.S. economy, and how IT has had a major impact on all facets of society. It also says that the impact is unequal within many segments of the national economy and in education, leaving these parts of American society bereft of IT's advantages, and creating the Digital Divide first identified by the Department of Commerce.
Among highlights reported in S&E Indicators 2000 are:
- Industrial R&D Performance - predominantly "development"- grew by only 0.7 percent per year in inflation-adjusted ("real") terms from 1985 through 1994. But in the five years from 1994 through 1998, the annual industry R&D growth rate climbed to 7.6 percent (Chapter 2);
- Information technology (IT) industries generated an estimated 29 percent of the real growth in the U.S.' Gross Domestic Income in 1998 (Chapter 9); and
- The linkage between research and perceived economic benefit is "getting tighter." Patents citing at least one article that contributed materially to the process or product to be patented rose from 14 percent in 1990 to 25 percent in 1996. The overall number of article citations on existing patents increased explosively -- more than doubling in number from 1996 to 1998, and reaching 108,300 total for 1998. (Chapter 6).
Among the work force and education trends, S&E Indicators 2000 finds:
- Retirements among college-educated workers in S&E will increase dramatically over the next 10 to 15 years, especially among Ph.D. holders. Meanwhile, the expected demand for S&E workers overall is expected to greatly increase in the decade between 1998-2008. S&E occupations are projected to grow at almost four times the rate of all other occupations. (Chapter 3);
- S&E graduate school enrollments in the U.S. declined from 1993 to 1997 (an average of two percent annually) following increases throughout the previous four decades. However, demographic data shows a reversal in 2001 to a two-decade-long U.S. population decline among college-age students that may help reverse the graduate enrollment trend. (Chapter 4);
- Despite increasing percentages of high school graduates who reported taking higher level math and science courses, 22 percent of first-year college students in 1997 who indicated an intent to major in science or engineering reported that they needed some remedial work in mathematics. (Chapter 4);
- Dramatic increases have occurred among U.S. school districts to provide access for students and teachers to new forms of technology, but in a 1998 survey, only one teacher in five felt "very well prepared" to integrate technology in the subject they taught (Chapter 5).
The two-volume edition of S&E Indicators 2000 also includes for the first time a CD-ROM that provides access to the entire report and data tables in a spreadsheet format. To view the full volumes of Science and Engineering Indicators 2000, see: http://www.nsf.gov/sbe/srs/seind00/start.htm
For other media news releases and backgrounders, see: http://www.nsf.gov/od/lpa/news/press/00/pr_indicators.htm
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New Roles in Technology Commercialization Identified for NW States
A call for action for states from the Northwest region was the result of Linking Regional Resources, a conference of approximately 150 business, government, national laboratory, and university representatives held in Seattle.The roles for the states and federal labs were identified after two days of updates and brainstorming on the status of five Northwest market sectors: information technology, biotechnology, extractive industries, agriculture and food processing, and forest products. Participants discussed challenges and strategies for technological success. The group agreed that there is a need for states “to play a role in coordinating and integrating technology commercialization and development” within the region.
According to the conference proceedings, participants identified the three concepts with potential for the greatest impact:
- Create a Northwest S&T Council to “integrate or coordinate the science and technology activities in the Northwest, including state-specific positions and advisory groups as well as science and technology investment programs
- “Establish a Northwest seed fund to provide capital to companies in local areas lacking access to capital resources or for investment in resource-based businesses transitioning to new economy business methods using DOE funding
- “Seek investments in rural community infrastructures for communications technology including high-bandwidth internet connection. The term 'rural electronic-ification' was coined to describe this program, following the lead of the U.S. rural electrification initiative in the mid-20th century.”
Dr. Lee Cheatham, Executive Director of the Washington Technology Center, agreed to guide followup on the action items over the next 12 to 18 months. For more information, Dr. Cheatham can be reached at cheatham@u.washington.edu.
The conference was sponsored by the Department of Energy's Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.
Details of the conference proceedings, including specific session results and contacts for implementation are available on-line at http://www.pnl.gov/lrr/proceedings
Our thanks to the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory for alerting us to this story through their newsletter, INews.
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Federal and Foundation Funding Opportunities
Health
The National Cancer Institute seeks cooperative research and development agreements (CRADAs) for the development of innovative idiotype tumor vaccines. Eligible applicants include pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies who can effectively collaborate on the scientific and commercial development of vaccines for treatment of low-grade and intermediate B-cell lymphomas, mantle cell lymphoma or chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Proposal summaries are due September 21, 2000. Further preparation instructions will be disseminated shortly thereafter to chosen applicants. For more information, contact Dr. Thomas Stackhouse at (301) 846-5222.Justice
The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention requests proposals for training and technical assistance for national innovations to reduce disproportionate minority confinement. The selected proposal will implement a national planning, training, technical assistance, and information dissemination initiative to assist state and local jurisdictions in addressing disproportionate minority confinement. Eligible applicants include public and private agencies, organizations, institutions, or individuals. One cooperative agreement will be funded for up to $300,000 for the initial one-year budget period. Proposals are due August 7, 2000. To view the complete proposal, visit: http://www.ojjdp.ncjrs.org/grants/about.html#kitThe Employment Management Association
The Employment Management Association Foundation, an organization that provides regional and national information on employment and staffing programs and trends, seeks applications for its Business Partnership Awards. These awards focus on programs that encourage school-to-work awareness and transition in the areas of employment need. Eligible applicants include businesses and public or private (K-12) schools that collaborate to address workforce preparedness. Chosen school/business applicants will each receive a $3,000 cash award. The deadline for applications is October 15, 2000. For more information, contact: http://www.shrm.org/ema/emaf.htmThe Spencer Foundation
The Spencer Foundation seeks applications for its Dissertation Fellowship Program. This program supports the advancement of the educational field by assisting scholars in completing their doctoral dissertations in educational research. Eligible applicants include doctoral degree candidates in any field currently studying at a graduate school within the United States. More than 30 fellowships of $20,000 each will be awarded in June, 2001. The deadline for applications is October 18, 2000. For more information, visit: http://www.spencer.org/fellows/index.htmReturn to the top of this page
Comments Sought on E-Commerce, Copyrights
How does E-commerce and the Internet affect copyrights for businesses, universities, organizations, and individuals in your state? The United States Copyright Office and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration invite public comments on the issue before August 4, 2000. Comments are sought specifically for the effects of the amendments made by Title 1 of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, (``DMCA'') and the development of electronic commerce on the operation of Sections 109 and 117 of Title 17, United States Code.The objective of Title 1 of the DMCA, enacted on October 28, 1998, was to revise U.S. law to comply with two World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Treaties and to strengthen protection for copyrighted works in electronic formats. The DMCA establishes prohibitions on circumventing technological measures that control access to a work protected under the U.S. Copyright Act.
Section 109 of the Copyright Act, 17 U.S.C. 109, permits the owner of a particular copy or phonorecord lawfully made to sell or otherwise dispose of possession of that copy or phonorecord without the authority of the copyright owner (commonly referred to as the “first sale doctrine”, such as a used CD store). Section 117 of the Copyright Act, 17 U.S.C. 117, permits the owner of a copy of a computer program to make a copy or adaptation of the program for archival purposes or as an essential step in the utilization of the program in conjunction with a machine.
The agencies request comments and responses to 16 specific questions identified in the June 5 Federal Register announcement, which can be found under “Copyright Office, Library of Congress” at:
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ACE-Net to Privatize by Sept. 1
The Angel Capital Electronic Network (ACE-Net) will be privatized by September 1, 2000. The Internet-based listing service for growing companies and angel investors has been run by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of Advocacy.A privatization team representing ACE-Net regional partner organizations finalized plans in May for making the transition from the SBA. Job descriptions of future staff positions are being drafted. The privatized ACE-Net is expected to provide additional services to registered angel investors, such as educational tools, research, and training.
When launched in September 1995, ACE-Net was to be early entry into web-based investor-business matching for capital. Unfortunately, the effort was hampered by federal bureaucracy and regulations, according to ACE-Net supporters.
One of ACE-Net’s accomplishments has been to help streamline investment offerings across state lines, greatly reducing the regulatory burden of securities filing. To date, 40 states have amended their securities laws to allow streamlined, web-based equity capital investment through ACE-Net, which accredits potential investors.
Currently there are 48 public, quasi-public, non-profit, or university-based organizations across the country serving as ACE-Net Network operators. Links to each of these organizations and more information on ACE-Net can be found at: https://ace-net.sr.unh.edu/
Our thanks to the Kansas Technology Enterprise Corp for alerting us to this story through their newsletter, KTECology.
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