SSTI Digest

The relaxation of international trade barriers and increased emphasis on globalization have had significant effects on the world's high-tech manufacturing industry. Two recent papers look at the phenomenon. An Infobrief from the National Science Foundation focuses on the growth of high-tech manufacturing in Latin America and a working paper released by the National Bureau of Economic Research considers the changes in the composition and character of the U.S. manufacturing industry in light of globalization. Brief summaries and links to download each report follows below.

Many states and communities are working to be leading participants in the rapidly growing biotech industries. Investments in academic research facilities and college scholarships to encourage more students to pursue biology and science degrees are among the strategies states are pursuing.

A report released last week by the National Research Council (NRC) suggests significant changes are needed to overhaul biology education, however, in order to ensure majors in these disciplines are prepared for the new demands of biotech.

The National Science Foundation recently released the latest edition of Characteristics of Doctoral Scientists and Engineers in the United States, which reports characteristics for 1999. Valuable data is presented in the report on the demographic and employment characteristics of doctoral scientists and engineers in the US. The goal of the publications is to provide policymakers and researchers quality data in regards to the educational attainment and career patterns of doctoral scientists and engineers.

The National Science Foundation performs this survey biennially and is a longitudinal survey conducted since 1973. Current and past reports can be found online at http://www.nsf.gov/sbe/srs/cdse/start.htm

Are you looking for funding for high-risk research? The Advanced Technology Program (ATP), part of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, bridges the gap between the research lab and the marketplace stimulating prosperity through innovation. ATP’s mission is to accelerate the development of innovative technologies through partnerships with the private sector.

Program Impact

ATP fills a gap between invention and innovation not substantially funded by private investors. About 80 percent of ATP funded projects have brought, or are soon bringing, one or more new products or processes into the marketplace. Eighty new products or processes are in the marketplace or expected soon. ATP accelerates technology development. Approximately 86 percent of 673 organizations in 347 projects reported that they are ahead in their R&D cycle as a result of ATP funding. Fifty-three percent said that they are ahead by one to three years. ATP fosters collaboration.

Do you have a great idea for a new industrial product or process that can help save energy, reduce emissions, and/or provide clean manufacturing? If so, then you will want to look to the Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy for possible financing. Several programs provide finance solutions through grants and seed money to help companies get energy ideas off the ground.

Mission

The EERE mission is to strengthen America’s energy security, environmental quality, and economic vitality in public-private partnerships that enhance energy efficiency and productivity; bring clean, reliable and affordable energy technologies to the marketplace; and make a difference in the everyday lives of Americans by enhancing their energy choices and their quality of life.

The Washington Technology Center (WTC), based in Seattle, WA, is searching for a person to fill the newly created position of Manager of Statewide Programs. This person will design and develop a statewide network of programs, services and connections to serve companies and entrepreneurs across Washington State. The person stepping into this position will lead the state's efforts to drive innovation and technology into economic growth through partnerships with local technology, economic development and research organizations.

The Statewide Program Manager should be someone with a technology and business background that is exceptional at:

Tuesday’s primary resulted in the selection of gubernatorial candidates in nine states: Arizona, Connecticut, Maryland, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin. As of press time, Florida’s primary results on the Democratic side were still uncertain.

SSTI reviewed the candidates’ campaign websites to determine their positions on economic development and the role of science and technology in today’s economy. Conventional political wisdom would indicate that in poor economic times, a major campaign theme would be economic development. If that’s the case this year, the theme is not reflected in most candidates’ websites.

Earlier this week, the European Commission presented its strategy to respond to the March 2002 Barcelona European Council's call to raise research spending to 3 percent of the European Union's (EU) average Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2010. Today, Europe is at 1.9 percent on average across the member countries.

The Communication More Research for Europe looks into Europe's under-investment in science and technology and its harmful consequences for EU competitiveness, growth and employment. R&D investment (private and public) in the U.S. now exceeds EU expenditure by more than €120 billion every year. In 2000, in the U.S. €288 billion was spent on R&D, while only €164 billion was spent in the EU.

Last week, Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman announced the selection of 29 economic development projects to receive more than $3.1 million. Funding provided through USDA Rural Development's business opportunity grants and economic development loan and grant programs will assist over 455 businesses and create or save nearly 3,000 jobs, according to the grant proposals.

The awards were distributed to projects in 24 states: Alabama ($450,000); California ($50,000); Colorado ($9,500);  Georgia ($50,000); Indiana ($50,000); Kansas ($200,000); Kentucky ($48,360); Louisiana ($49,790); Maine ($13,000); Maryland ($50,000); Minnesota ($250,000); Mississippi ($431,687); Missouri ($222,000); Nebraska ($300,000); North Carolina ($50,000); North Dakota ($50,000); Ohio ($50,000); Pennsylvania ($15,000); South Dakota ($200,000); Tennessee ($50,000); Texas ($413,936); Vermont ($35,538); Virginia ($49,587); and Washington ($50,000).

The new Arizona Technology Council (ATC) has announced its vision and mission as a non-profit association committed to growing member companies and the technology industry in Central and Northern Arizona. ATC, formed in cooperation with the Arizona Department of Commerce, Southern Arizona Tech Council, various organizations and technology trade associations, will be led by former Phoenix mayor and ATC Chairman Paul Johnson, an appointed executive committee and a board of directors comprised of a cross-section of academic, private and public sector professionals.

When budgets tighten for state and local governments, as they have in nearly every corner of the country, legislatures and political leaders look for areas to reduce spending. Having a strong documented record of the positive impact of your technology-based economic development efforts and investments can help protect vital programs from the axe.

And, regardless of the fiscal environment, regular assessment and program evaluation also are good practices for honing your activities to maximize their benefits and payoffs.

But how do you start? What measures really matter? And how do you use the data once gathered?

Many areas of the country are experiencing a brain drain, an outmigration of recent college graduates leading to a decline in the available labor pool of entry level workers, young entrepreneurs and future civic leaders. A new initiative, however, hopes to reverse that trend in Northeastern Pennsylvania by strengthening the social, networking and professional relationships among young skilled workers in the Wilkes-Barre region.

Professionals Organized and Working to Enrich the Region (POWER) held its first meeting last week. Managed by the Great Valley Technology Alliance, POWER's organizational and promotional costs are covered by a $42,000 grant from the state's Stay and Invent the Future Initiative, run by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.