SSTI Digest

The Department of Defense (DoD) distributed $152.9 million in awards under its fiscal year 2003 Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program competitions. A total of 1,882 awards were selected from a pool of more than 15,000 proposals across all states and the District of Columbia. DoD's SBIR Program provides up to $850,000 in early-stage research and development (R&D) funding directly to small technology companies. Between SBIR and the department's Small Business Technology Transfer Program, which supports small companies working with researchers at universities and other research institutions, DoD funds more than $1 billion annually in early-stage R&D projects. States were able to compete for DoD SBIR funding twice in 2003 through two competitive solicitations. California led all states with nearly $33 million and 403 awards. Massachusetts followed with $23.7 million and 290 awards, but converted on more of its proposals than the leader, at 16.5 percent. South Carolina, winning 11 awards through 50 proposals, had the highest conversion percentage of all states,…

New Mexico Firms Would Receive $30M in Venture Funding New Mexico might be close to closing on two venture deals worth a combined $30 million, the Albuquerque Journal recently reported. The New Mexico State Investment Council (SIC) gave preliminary approval of the $30 million to two Santa Fe-based firms early last month. Flywheel Ventures, one of the two companies in consideration for the money, was said to be raising its own $30 million for investment in seed and early-stage technology companies. Rio Grande Venture Partners, the other beneficiary, would indirectly contribute to tech firms through a $100 million fund it hopes to close this spring. The New Mexico investment program requires that both companies provide match funding and do business in the state, either whole or in part. The state has committed roughly $168 million to about 20 venture capital funds over the last decade, with $70 million in commitments made since 2003, the Albuquerque Journal states. The $168 million comes from a pool of $200 million for venture capital investment, drawn from New Mexico's $3.5 billion…

Debra Elston has been named the Federal Highway Administration's director for research, technology, and innovation deployment within the Office of Research, Development, and Technology. Garza Fernandez, president of the Southern Arizona Industry and Aerospace Alliance, announced her resignation to devote more time to the Technology Development and Research Institute. Arthur A. Garcia has been appointed director of the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund in the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Until his appointment, Garcia has been administrator for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Housing Service. Elizabeth Gatewood has been named director of Wake Forest University's new Office of Entrepreneurship and Liberal Arts. At Indiana University, Gatewood was the Jack M. Chair of Entrepreneurship and the director of the Johnson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Paul Hiller, formerly managing director of the economic development arm of the Irvine Chamber of Commerce, is the new president and chief executive officer for the Inland Empire…

Debra Elston has been named the Federal Highway Administration's director for research, technology, and innovation deployment within the Office of Research, Development, and Technology.

Garza Fernandez, president of the Southern Arizona Industry and Aerospace Alliance, announced her resignation to devote more time to the Technology Development and Research Institute.

Arthur A. Garcia has been appointed director of the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund in the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Until his appointment, Garcia has been administrator for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Housing Service.

Elizabeth Gatewood has been named director of Wake Forest University's new Office of Entrepreneurship and Liberal Arts. At Indiana University, Gatewood was the Jack M. Chair of Entrepreneurship and the director of the Johnson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

Paul Hiller, formerly managing director of the economic development arm of the Irvine Chamber of Commerce, is the new president and chief executive officer for the Inland Empire Economic Partnership.

Linda Johnson, president and chief executive officer of the Center for Information Technology Enterprise, has announced she will be leaving the position this fall to return to her academic career at Western Kentucky University.

Bruce Mehlman and Alex Vogel have formed a new firm, Mehlman & Vogel, Inc. The company offers clients a full range of public affairs services including strategic planning, message development, coalition management, legislative and executive branch lobbying, corporate positioning, guidance for political activities and public relations.

Arundeep Pradhan is the new director of the Office of Technology and Research Collaborations at the Oregon Health and Science University. Pradhan was the head of technology transfer for the Colorado State University Research Foundation.

2004 S&E Indicators includes chapter of state-level metrics The U.S. remains the world's leading producer and net exporter of high-technology products, ranking among the global leaders in research and development (R&D) spending. However, ongoing economic and workforce changes make the outlook for the future uncertain, according to Science and Engineering (S&E) Indicators 2004, a biennial report of the National Science Board (NSB) to the President. S&E Indicators shows, for example, the U.S. now ranks 17th among nations surveyed in the proportion of its 18- to 24-year-olds earning natural S&E degrees. In 1975, the U.S. ranked third. State indicators are presented in 25 tables across six categories: secondary education, higher education, workforce, financial R&D inputs, R&D outputs, and science and technology in the economy. R&D output is measured by S&E doctorates conferred, academic article output and academic patents. The measures for science and technology in the economy include high-tech employment, high-tech share of all business establishments, and…