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Conference Sponsor Profile: The Advanced Technology Program
The Advanced Technology Program (ATP), part of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Technology Administration, US. Department of Commerce, partners with the private sector to spur research on to the development stage and into the market. ATP’s early stage investments accelerate the development of innovative technologies that promise significant commercial payoffs and widespread benefits for the nation.
A number of factors distinguish ATP from most other government R&D programs:
- ATP projects focus on the technology needs of American industry, not those of government. ATP research priorities are set by industry, based on their understanding of the marketplace and research opportunities.
- For-profit companies conceive, propose, co-fund, and execute ATP projects and programs in partnerships with academia, independent research organizations and federal labs.
- The ATP has strict cost-sharing rules. Joint Ventures (two or more companies working together) must pay at least half of the project costs. Large, Fortune 500 companies participating as a single firm must pay at least 60 percent of total project costs. Small and medium-sized companies working on single firm ATP projects must pay a minimum of all indirect costs associated with the project.
- The ATP does not fund product development. Private industry bears the costs of product development, production, marketing, sales and distribution.
- The ATP awards are made strictly on the basis of rigorous peer-reviewed competitions. Selection is based on the innovation, the technical risk, potential economic benefits to the nation and the strength of the commercialization plan of the project.
The ATP’s support does not become a perpetual subsidy or entitlement – each project has goals, specific funding allocations, and completion dates established at the outset. Projects are monitored and can be terminated for cause before completion.
Companies of all sizes, universities, and non profits all are eligible to partner with ATP. More than half of the program’s 460 projects have had a university partner and a majority of ATP awards have been made to small businesses or to a joint venture led by a small business.
Pending Congressional appropriations action, the 2001 competition will open this fall.
As a sponsor of Beyond the Hype: Tools for Building Tech-based Economies, ATP will have space in the conference exhibitor’s area. Until then, more information can be found on the program’s website: http://www.atp.nist.gov