The growth and intensity of higher education R&D (HERD) expenditures varies considerably across metropolitan areas, a recent SSTI analysis of National Science Foundation data finds. New York ($4.3 billion), Boston ($3.2 billion), and Baltimore ($2.9 billion) had the highest overall levels of HERD expenditures in 2016. In that same year, Ithaca, New York (19.1 percent), State College, Pennsylvania (9.5 percent), and College Station, Texas (9.4 percent) had the highest levels of HERD intensity – measured as the share of HERD expenditures to gross metropolitan product.

Mentoring programs may be celebrated across the nation as January marks National Mentoring Month, a movement started in 2002 to raise awareness of mentoring in all its forms. But more could be done to make programs more effective in both university and non-university settings, according to a recent working paper from the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan.

Last week, the Department of Defense (DoD) released a public announcement on the launch of a new pilot program that supports university-industry basic research collaborations focused on the discovery of novel solutions to challenging defense and national security problems. SSTI members, however, were alerted to the release of the Federal Funding Opportunity (FFO) for the pilot program in a December edition of the SSTI Funding Supplement.

The American Institute of Physics reports that National Institute of Standards and Technology Director Walter Copan expressed interest in reviewing the Bayh-Dole and Stevenson-Wydler acts for possible revisions. Both pieces of legislation were passed in 1980 to facilitate the transfer of discoveries from the public to the private sector. Copan did not indicate specific changes but mentioned conflicts between federal and state law as a problem.

States are beginning their next round of budget proposals, following last year’s cautious approach to budgeting. SSTI begins its review of the proposals this week, presenting findings on how states are funding elements of the innovation economy with a review of Alaska, Colorado, Florida and Wyoming state budgets.

SSTI’s Tech Talkin’ Govs feature returns as governors across the country roll out their state of the state addresses. We review each speech for comments relevant to the innovation economy, and bring you their words directly from their addresses. In this first installment, we present excerpts from governors in Arizona, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Mississippi, New York and Vermont.

Around the country, free or greatly reduced tuition programs at institutions of higher education – oftentimes called “promise scholarships” – are being increasingly utilized as a way to support education and workforce development. With a focus on those programs occurring at the community level, a new interactive database from the Upjohn Institute sheds light on more than 85 examples of place-based promise programs, including their history, their scope, and their impacts.

Since no single measure of performance can completely capture the important role that research universities play as drivers of economic growth in the innovation economy, a different approach is required, according to new research from BioCrossroads and TEConomy Partners.

The United States has no global equal when it comes to scientific output, producing more publications than China, Germany, and the United Kingdom combined, according to the recently updated Nature Index. The index, a product of the scientific journal Nature, measures output of high-quality research in the natural sciences at both the national and state levels. However, the most recent update finds that U.S.

The third annual National Apprenticeship week will be celebrated next week, with more than 700 activities planned across the country to showcase programs, facilities and apprentices. For those still interested in participating through an open house, skills competition, or other event, there is still time to register your event.

While traditional economic development within the states has shifted to an economy more reliant on innovation, many policy discussions remain mired in acknowledging just some of the more recognized tech-based regions, says the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) in its latest report. However, as economic indicators reveal that all states’ economies incorporate some degree of innovation as a driver of their economy, the 2017 State New Economy Index measures states’ capacities to function in this new economy.

The innovation economy is a featured component of both newly elected governors’ agendas, with each showing support for TBED-related initiatives in their platforms. In New Jersey, Governor-elect Phil Murphy (D) has pledged to reclaim the state’s innovation economy while in Virginia Governor-elect Ralph Northam (D) proposed a new workforce development plan focused on “the new-collar jobs of the 21st century.”

From investment returns to education savings, R&D incentives and more, tax policy and innovation are inextricably linked. Not surprisingly, the U.S. House GOP’s tax plan, released last week and updated through a significant amendment on Monday, could have significant impacts on the innovation economy.

Current[1] proposals with implications for innovation include:

Following reforms to the Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) application process, four of the five venture capital funds that applied for CDFI financial assistance funding in FY 2017 were awarded. In trying to increase the impact of CDFIs by supporting their growth, reach and performance, the Fund implemented reforms to the application, making it easier for CDFIs to demonstrate their impact with an award regardless of what type of financial institution they are — they can be banks, credit unions, loan funds, microloan funds or venture capital providers.

Beyond their traditional focuses on patenting and licensing, universities should reconsider how their technology transfer efforts can contribute more broadly to economic prosperity, according to a new report from the Association of Public and Land-Grand Universities (APLU) Commission on Innovation, Competitiveness & Economic Prosperity (CICEP). The report, Technology Transfer Evolution: Driving Economic Prosperity includes four briefs on topics relevant to redefining the field: engaging the local regional ecosystem; redefining expectations of tech transfer offices; adapting innovation management structures; fostering an entrepreneurial culture; and, supporting university startups. SSTI staff members contributed to the individual briefs and served on the commission’s advisory committee.

Since 1991, every state has added good jobs for workers without  four-year degrees in skilled-services industries like healthcare and finance, but fewer than half have added good jobs for similar workers in blue-collar industries like manufacturing, according to The Good Jobs Project, an initiative of The Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce.

Overall growth in manufacturing should accelerate this year and grow even more in 2018, according to recent projections from the Manufacturers Alliance for Productivity and Innovation (MAPI). As a way to support manufacturers — especially small and medium sized ones — two states recently announced programs to boost their productivity.

This week, members of SSTI’s Innovation Advocacy Council met with more than two dozen Congressional offices to discuss the Startup Act and Regional Innovation Strategies (RIS) program funding. The Startup Act would expand RIS, create a new commercialization grant program and provide new paths for innovation-related immigration. RIS is slated to receive level funding of $17 million for FY 2018 in the House and $21 million in the Senate.

Two recent reports examining the state of the states’ budgets and resources have some warnings for those involved in the budgeting process.

Initial public offerings (IPOs) can alleviate financing constraints and help support important activities such as operations, R&D, and expansion. Despite these perceived benefits, new research finds that the transition to public equity – and the financial windfalls that follow – prompt many of a company’s early innovators to depart the firm, which has impacts on both innovation internally and at other firms.

Last week, Google announced the launch of several efforts as part of its Grow with Google initiative – a five-year $1-billion plus plan to invest in nonprofits that specialize in training workers and helping new businesses get off the ground. Through this new plan, Google indicated it will work to close the world’s education and opportunity gaps.

Through its  2017 Assistance to Coal Communities (ACC 2017) initiative, the Economic Development Administration (EDA) announced $30 million in funding to assist locally-driven efforts to communities and regions severely impacted by the declining use of coal through activities and programs that support economic diversification, job creation, capital investment, workforce development, and re-employment opportunities.

One of the hottest topics at SSTI’s 2017 Annual Conference centered on helping communities build the investment system necessary for local entrepreneurs and startups to thrive. Led by several panels of experts, the conversations led to sharing many great ideas, thoughtful solutions, and tough realities. This week we continue our series of stories on how TBED organizations can help communities ensure a vibrant investment system. This second installment focuses on effective strategies and ideas for building your organization’s investment team.

In a report of FY 2011-2016 data, the National Science Foundation finds that rate of female participants in its currently-funded Engineering Research Centers (ERCs) may be higher than for overall engineering programs. Specifically, participation among female faculty is better by about seven percent, by about 15 percent among female undergraduates, and a more modest 1-2 percent increase among doctorate students.

Support for the recently introduced Startup Act continues to build across the country. The legislation, profiled earlier in the Digest, would accelerate the commercialization of university research, improve the regulatory processes at the federal, state and local levels, and modernize a critical Economic Development Administration (EDA) program to promote innovation and spur economic growth.