SSTI Digest

Offering some good news for universities and companies looking for funding, the National Science Board (NSB) has recommended the elimination of any evidence of voluntary cost share from most grant proposals to the National Science Foundation (NSF). However, the board recommended mandatory cost matching should be reinstated in a handful of initiatives, including its Engineering Research Centers (ERC) program, its Industry/University Cooperative Research Centers (I/UCRC) program, and its EPSCoR program. The return of mandatory matching funds may present a mixed bag for state and university TBED policies in an era of shrinking financial resources. States that have programs in place to match federal research grants are well positioned strategically to support those opportunities that may provide the fit with the state's tech-based economic development goals. States without matching-grant mechanisms already established may need to expand their portfolio of programs if growing the research enterprise is one of their TBED priorities. These recommendations and several others are included in the new NSB report, Investing in the Future: NSF Cost Sharing Policies for a…

Earlier this year, Congress and President Obama, seeing an opportunity to stimulate the economy while improving the nation's digital infrastructure, set aside $7.2 billion for broadband programs in the 2009 Recovery Act (read SSTI's analysis of the Recovery Act in the February 19 issue). Citing the need for a modernized digital infrastructure to ensure U.S. competitiveness, the act included funding for broadband mapping and deployment to help make sure that all Americans have access to high-speed Internet services. A controversy, however, has grown in the wake of the Recovery Act over how that money should be spent. The federal Recovery Act allocates $350 million for a new program called the State Broadband Data and Development Grant program, which is intended to help develop and maintain a national broadband inventory map. The program, to be administered jointly by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), will help develop and maintain a national broadband inventory map. Last week, the Wall Street Journal published a story examining the controversy over Connected Nation Inc., the…

A full week after the Administration's budget request was released, NSF made available details on the foundation's $7.05 billion request. With the new information, SSTI is presenting below its summary regarding the NSF budget proposal's impact on programs of importance to state and regional TBED efforts. This profile, along with similar budget summaries of 17 other agencies, is available in an updated version of SSTI's Special Federal Budget Issue. The PDF document may be found at: http://www.ssti.org/Digest/2009/fy10budget.pdf. National Science Foundation (NSF) In the FY10 budget request, the Administration seeks $7.05 billion for NSF (8.5% increase above the FY09 enacted budget). Just over 81% of the request would be directed to research and related activities. These amounts are separate from the $3 billion NSF received in the Recovery Act. In FY10, each research division in the NSF would be asked to set aside a minimum of $2 million ($92 million total) for high-risk, high-reward transformational research. The NSF request for Major Research Equipment and Facilities Construction is $117.3 million, a decrease of $34.7 million (down 22.8%). The…

In the midst of a national economic recession contributing to a record number of job losses in traditional industries, forward thinking states are exploring ideas and committing funds to help grow and diversify their economies and strengthen their renewable energy portfolios. Over the past several months, governors, legislators and economic development groups have announced new initiatives aimed at job growth and energy independence in the new economy. The following overview provides a sampling of green energy initiatives and investments from numerous proposals and announcements across the nation. Arizona Science Foundation Arizona (SFAz) announced a recent investment of $4 million to support five science-based businesses in the solar industry, according to an article in The Arizona Republic. SFAz also formed a new branch called the Solar Technology Institute to further support the industry. Projects approved for funding include development of reflectors that concentrate sunlight on solar panels, expansion of a photovoltaic testing laboratory, and development of software to help determine where to build power plants, storage sites and other energy…

Virginia lawmakers passed a bill last month supporting the state's bioscience industry and providing incentives to investors for bioscience and advanced technology commercialization. The legislation comprised all of the top recommendations from the 2008 Joint Legislative Subcommittee on the Biosciences. The bill changes the existing Commonwealth Technology Research Fund to the Commonwealth Research Fund to better focus on key areas of R&D, emphasize the importance of commercialization of R&D through matching funds programs, and to provide a loan program for the construction of facilities used in commercializing research. The Innovative Technology Authority would continue to administer the fund and establish and maintain specific guidelines for awarding funds. Specifically, the bill: Establishes the Bioscience Investment Tax Credit, limiting the existing qualified equity and subordinated debt investment tax credit, known as the Angel Investor Tax Credit, to bioscience and other advanced technology startups, and reserves up to 50 percent of the available credit for tech-transfer spin-outs from universities; Makes changes to Virginia's Technology…

Several of Gov. Tim Kaine's energy and job creation proposals were included in the approved revisions to Virginia's current two-year budget passed by the General Assembly last month. Lawmakers, faced with a projected $ 3.7 billion deficit, made revisions and incorporated federal stimulus funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to amend the budget. Legislators passed a measure proposed by Gov. Kaine to merge the Innovative Technology Authority (ITA) and the Virginia Research and Technology Advisory Commission into a single entity named the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Investment Authority. The new Innovation and Entrepreneurship Investment Authority will continue the work of the ITA - the governing body of the Center for Innovative Technology - with heightened responsibilities regarding the oversight of R&D efforts, according to the governor's office. The authority is charged with developing a strategic roadmap for the state identifying research areas worthy of institutional focus and incorporating the strategic plan for each of Virginia's research universities. The revised budget uses federal stimulus money to boost funding…

Through exclusive interviews with Excellence in TBED Award recipients, find out first-hand how these award winning initiatives successfully responded to a critical need by applying innovative approaches to generate substantial economic gains for their region. Recently released podcasts include: Mike Cassidy of the Georgia Research Alliance discusses their Eminent Scholars program. The podcast is available at: http://www.ssti.org/media/cassidy.html. Sheryl Bryan of the Virginia Council on Advanced Technology Skills (VCATS) provides details on replicating the program in other states and regions. The podcast is available at: http://www.ssti.org/media/bryan.html

DATELINE: RICHMOND, Va. The following information was released by the office of the governor of Virginia: Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced appointments to the following boards and commissions: * denotes reappointment Medical Advisory Board for the Department of Motor Vehicles Juan A. Astruc Jr., M.D.* of Glen Allen, partner at the Retina Institute of Virginia; Parker C. Dooley, M.D. of Accomack County, medical director of Eastern Shore Rural Health System, Inc.; Anil Kumar, M.D.* of Glen Allen, assistant professor for MCV-VCU Health Systems; Thomas Pellegrino, M.D.* of Norfolk, associate dean for education at Eastern Virginia Medical School; John Sheppard, M.D.* of Cape Charles, president of Virginia Eye Consultants. State Lottery Board Susan Smith Feaster* of Loudoun County, chairman of the board and CEO of the World Leadership Institute. Special Advisory Commission on Mandated Health Insurance Benefits Joyal M. Mulheron…

The complete description of this opportunity and others are available at http://www.ssti.org/posting.htm. The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) Research Division is seeking a Senior Economist to manage a team providing research and analysis on the Virginia and U.S. economy, VEDPs target industries, ways to increase Virginia's competitive stature, and conducting marketing research in support of our mission to generate new capital investment and job creation opportunities. The successful applicant must have a comprehensive knowledge of economic principles, data sources and research techniques; demonstrated experience in planning, developing and writing economic research studies, reports and business proposals including the ability to analyze available data to draw supportable conclusions. Experience in collaboratively leading economic research project teams to successful outcomes is required.

Last month, Gov. Tim Kaine unveiled proposed amendments to the fiscal year 2008-10 biennial budget and announced a new initiative aimed at creating jobs by attracting renewable energy companies to Virginia. The governor will seek legislative support for both proposals in the coming months. The Renew Virginia Initiative is the governor's plan to boost job creation and position the state as a leader in alternative energy generation and R&D. Gov. Kaine created a new Interagency Task Force for Energy Project Recruitment that consists of state agencies, university research centers and federal labs. The Virginia Economic Development Partnership is charged with assembling a marketing plan for promoting the state. The FY09 executive budget includes new funding proposals, outlines the October reductions approved by Gov. Kaine, and recommends further reductions for the remainder of the biennium. Virginia is facing a projected budget deficit of $973.6 million in FY09 and $1.5 billion in FY10, according to estimates reported by the state to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Gov. Kaine recommends withdrawing $490 million from the Revenue Stabilization Fund…

Southern Growth hired Ted Abernathy, Jr., former Executive Vice President & COO of the Research Triangle Regional Partnership, to serve as its Executive Director, filling the vacancy created by Jim Clinton's resignation in September. The Minnesota Center for Engineering & Manufacturing Excellence has hired Ronald Bennett as executive director. The City of Virginia Beach Economic Development Department has hired Scott Hall to fill their newly created position of Business Development Coordinator. Marquette University has named Keith Osterhage as executive director for its office of research and sponsored programs. Mary Jo Waits is the new Director for NGA Center for Best Practices' Social, Economic & Workforce Programs Division within the National Governors Association. Dennis Yablonsky, secretary of the Pennsylvania Dept. of Community & Economic Development resigned effective Oct. 23. New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine named Jerold Zaro as Chief of the Governor's Office of Economic Growth. Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm has reorganized the Department of Labor and Economic Growth and changed the department's name…

The National Science Foundation (NSF) announced earlier this month the establishment of five new university-based centers developing interdisciplinary research and education programs in partnership with industry in the areas of biorenewable chemicals, green energy systems, communications networks, medical implants and smart lighting. Each of the Engineering Research Centers (ERC) will receive $18.5 million over five years to focus on technological breakthroughs that lead to new products and services, according to NSF. Additional institutional support has also been secured through several of the partnering universities. The centers can apply for a renewal through NSF that extends another five years and are expected to be self supporting after 10 years. The five new centers place an increased emphasis on innovation and entrepreneurship, partnerships with small research firms and international collaboration and cultural exchange. They include: NSF ERC for Biorenewable Chemicals - Based at Iowa State University, the center will develop technologies to transform the petroleum-based chemical industry into an industry based on plants and other biorenewables.…