Congressional Research Service releases report on federal programs supporting regional innovation systems

This week the Congressional Research Service (CRS) released Regional Innovation: Federal Programs and Issues for Consideration, which provides a summary of federal programs supporting regional innovation systems (RIS), including programs of the CHIPS and Science Act. As described in the report, federal support of RIS is a place-based approach to economic development, with a goal of encouraging development of innovation ecosystems across the country, especially in regions that have benefitted less than others from the rise of the technology-based economy. The report also addresses the scale, scope and duration of the federal investments, asking Congress to consider whether funding periods for the programs are adequate to achieve RIS goals and “how best to sustain regional innovation efforts after federal funding ceases.”

Programs discussed are administered by the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Department of Commerce (DOC), the Department of Energy (DOE), and the Small Business Administration (SBA), including:

Regional Innovation Engines Program (NSF) The CHIPS and Science Act authorized the creation of the Regional Innovation Engines to support a broad range of activities intended to build regional innovation systems. The program supported the creation of regional coalitions aimed at conducting translational research and commercializing research results.

Regional Technology and Innovation Hub Program (DOC) The CHIPS and Science Act requires the designation of at least 20 geographically distributed technology and innovation hubs in areas that are currently not leading technology centers to support technology development, job creation, and the expansion of U.S. innovation capacity.

Recompete Pilot Program (DOC) The CHIPS and Science Act also established a new program to provide grants to persistently distressed areas in support of long-term economic development and job creation.

Build to Scale (DOC) The program formerly known as Regional Innovation Strategies is designed to spur regional capacity-building by providing commercialization assistance to entrepreneurs (Venture Challenge) and supporting organizations that provide early-stage investments to startups (Capital Challenge).

Energy Program for Innovation Clusters (EPIC) Program (DOE) EPIC funds regional incubators and accelerators that support energy-related technology innovation clusters, entrepreneurs, and start-ups.

Regional Clean Energy Innovation Program (DOE) The CHIPS and Science Act established the Regional Clean Energy Innovation program to advance the innovation of clean energy technologies and improve the competitiveness of U.S. firms in this sector.

Regional Innovation Clusters (RIC) Program (SBA) RICs serve as networking hubs to help high-growth small businesses connect with other small and large businesses, as well as with specialized suppliers, academic institutions, service providers, and economic organizations in a geographic area.