Maine's Public R&D Investments to be Evaluated

The Maine Science & Technology Foundation (MSTF) has issued a request for proposals to conduct an "Initial Evaluation of Maine's Public Investments in Research and Development." The study, to be completed by July 1, 2001, will provide baseline data for the first comprehensive evaluation MSTF is required by law to prepare for the state legislature and Governor by July, 2006. Subsequent comprehensive evaluations are to be completed every five years. The effort will:

• establish outcome measures considered appropriate by public and private practitioners in R&D and economic development;
• assess the competitiveness of technology sectors in Maine and the impact of R&D within the state on Maine economic development; and,
• include recommendations on existing and proposed state-supported R&D programs and activities affecting technology-based economic development.

To aid in the design and development of the initial evaluation, MSTF has prepared an Evaluation Guide which provides a framework for addressing the following three questions: How competitive is Maine’s state-sponsored R&D and has it improved over time? What is the impact of Maine’s R&D investments on the development of Maine’s R&D industry? What is the impact of Maine’s R&D investments on innovation and innovation-driven economic development in the State?

Letters of intent to submit a proposal are due to MSTF by December 15, 2000. Full proposals are due on January 15, 2001. The formal request for proposals can be found at: http://www.mstf.org/ Copies of the Evaluation Guide can be requested from Raffaella Dorazio at (207) 772-9241.