SSTI Digest

Between 2003 and 2007 R&D spending at U.S. small businesses increased by 38.8 percent, according to a recent National Science Foundation InfoBrief. During that period the share of U.S. R&D done by firms with fewer than 500 employees increased from 17.9 percent to 18.7 percent. R&D intensity at small firms also increased from 3.1 percent of company sales revenues to 8.6 percent. Read the NSF InfoBrief "Indicators of U.S. Small Business' Role in R&D" at: http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/infbrief/nsf10304/?org=NSF

Gov. Chet Culver last week signed legislation creating the Iowa Innovation Council to advise the state's Department of Economic Development on policies that enhance innovation and entrepreneurship in high-growth industries such as advanced manufacturing, bioscience, and information technology. The council will be led by a group of volunteer private business leaders with expertise in the targeted industry sectors and charged with creating a strategic plan for implementing specific policies and coordinating state government applications for federal funds related to R&D. Three of the state's existing councils, the Bioscience Alliance, Advanced Manufacturing Council, and Information Technology Council are consolidated within the new policy group. The enrolled version of HF 2076 is available at: http://www.legis.state.ia.us

For the first time in more than a decade, U.S. patent activity did not increase in 2008 over the previous year, according to IEEE Spectrum's Patent Power rankings. The annual report, which ranks companies, universities and research institutions by the quality of their U.S. patent portfolio, also finds that the number of U.S.-based organizations that placed within the top tier of IEEE's rankings-by-industry had fallen by 30 percent. Japan-based organizations, on the other hand, had a strong showing in the most recent report and now dominate the top spots in the automotive, electronics, chemical and semiconductor industry rankings.

The Governors' Wind Energy Coalition, a group of 29 U.S. governors, recently released a list of recommendations for Congressional action to spur the development of the wind energy industry. Recommendations include a renewable electricity standard, funding for an interstate electric transmission system and an expansion of the Department of Energy's support for state programs. The group notes that these goals line up closely with the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, which passed in the House of Representatives last year and is now under review in the Senate. Read the full report at: http://www.governorswindenergycoalition.org/assets/files/10GWEC-003_GreatExp_lores.pdf

A group of inventors, academics and researchers presented an aspirational list of inventors' rights at the Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM) Annual Meeting held last week. The Academic Inventors' Bill of Rights includes protections for researchers and students to prevent onerous university intellectual property policies and lack of transparency from preventing successful commercialization. The full document will be available later this week at:  http://www.ipadvocate.org/

SSTI, a growing nonprofit organization serving the nation's tech-based economic development (TBED) community, seeks an entry-level policy analyst to research and prepare reports, articles and papers on TBED and assist with SSTI events. Excellent research abilities, strong writing and verbal skills and solid understanding of government are required. Candidates must have the ability to work independently or as part of a committed team and be dedicated to creating a quality product. Those with a public policy interest in regional, state and national approaches to encouraging economic growth through science, technology and innovation will have an edge. Web and social media development skills are a plus. Graduate degree in a related field and/or relevant work experience preferred. Position located in Westerville, OH, a suburb of Columbus. Send cover letter and resume: SSTI, Human Resources; 5015 Pine Creek Dr., Westerville, OH 43081 or via e-mail to sstihr@ssti.org. For more information on SSTI, visit http://www.ssti.org

$11.4 Million in Grants Available for Sustainable Software Communities
The National Science Foundation invites proposals for a new program, Software Infrastructure for Sustained Innovation. The goal is to transform innovations in research and education into sustained software resources that are an integral part of the cyberinfrastructure.
Read more...

This is one of 50 funding opportunities featured in this week's Funding Supplement, which is provided only to SSTI members. Request your complimentary copy today.

On Monday, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released a national plan to expand broadband access and competition over the next decade. The plan calls for the establishment of new competition policies, ensuring the efficient allocation of spectrum and physical infrastructure, incentives and subsidies to expand access, and support for state and local initiatives. It also sets the ambitious goal of providing 100 million U.S. homes with affordable access to download speeds of 100 megabits per second (mbps), up from the current average of 2-3 mbps. The plan, which was mandated by the 2009 Recovery Act, is intended to improve the state of U.S. broadband, which continues to rank in the middle of the pack among OECD countries in terms of access, speed and affordability.

At the close of the Utah legislative session on March 11, lawmakers followed Gov. Gary Herbert's recommendation to reduce the Utah Science Technology and Research initiative (USTAR) FY10 budget by $5.1 million, from $31.9 million to $26.8 million. For FY11, USTAR is budgeted to spend $34.3 million. This represents a combination of state and ARRA funding. USTAR invests in world-class innovation teams and research facilities at the University of Utah and Utah State University with a long-term goal of strengthening the state's knowledge economy. Higher education will receive a reduction of approximately 5 percent in the approved budget, according to the governor's office. The FY11 base budget is available at: http://le.utah.gov/~2010/htmdoc/sbillhtm/sb0001.htm. The FY2010-11 supplemental appropriations bill is available at: http://le.utah.gov/~2010/htmdoc/hbillhtm/hb0002.htm

Gov. Pat Quinn unveiled last week the FY11 capital budget outlining the state's progress on the $31 billion Illinois Jobs Now plan enacted last year by the legislature (see the July 29, 2009 Digest). The governor is seeking an expansion of the program, which includes new appropriations for green economy initiatives within the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO).

The Jobs Now plan provides funding for infrastructure, economic development, schools, and transportation and is financed by a combination of state debt and federal and local matching funds. To support renewable and energy efficiency businesses and component manufactures, the governor recommends a new appropriation of $30 million to DCEO for Green Business Development. Projects that develop and expand the renewable energy sector and corresponding supply chain that produce energy efficient products are being targeted, according to budget documents. DCEO also would receive funds for the following initiatives:

Adding to a growing number of states seeking to increase their percentage of power from renewable sources, Gov. Jack Markell last week introduced the Delaware Clean Energy Jobs Act.  A key component of the legislation is increasing the state's Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), which governors often say generates job growth.

The overarching goal of the Delaware bill is to create a competitive climate for the clean energy market, which is addressed under four main goals, including:

North Carolina State Treasurer Janet Cowell has announced credit services group Credit Suisse will serve as manager of the state's new $230 million innovation fund. The fund, drawn from public pension dollars, will invest in North Carolina-based technology businesses over the next five years. Though full investment guidelines have not yet been developed, investments will be aimed towards high-growth industries, including life sciences, clean energy and other high-tech industries. Read the announcement at: http://www.nctreasurer.com/News/Files/3152010_4123_TREASURER%20COWELL%20ANNOUNCES%20NC%20INNOVATION%20FUND%20FINAL.pdf.