Memorandum of Understanding Officially Established USIP

The National Governors' Association (NGA) and the federal government signed an agreement officially establishing the United States Innovation Partnership (USIP) on June 25, 1997. The USIP brings together the Governors and the White House to improve the operation of the national science, engineering, and technology system.

The purpose of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is to outline policies and procedures for a general working relationship between the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, the U.S. Department of Commerce, other Executive agencies as appropriate, and the NGA in support of the creation and maintenance of the USIP.

USIP includes 22 governors and the federal administration. The USIP's Executive Committee will consist of NGA's lead governors on technology, Connecticut Gov. John G. Rowland and Maryland Gov. Parris N. Glendening, as well as Commerce Secretary William M. Daley and Dr. John H. Gibbons, Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.

Gov. Rowland, in a written statement, said, "States are already investing in the technology sector of their economies. State and federal governments need to join forces to maximize this investment in science and technology. By working together, we can create a national innovation system to keep our companies and our citizens competitive in the global marketplace."

USIP's current activities include exploring better ways to move ideas with commercial potential from the laboratory to the marketplace, linking investments in the SBIR program with state economic development objectives, promoting electronic commerce, and removing barriers to the development and deployment of new technologies.

For more information on the U.S. Innovation Partnership, send e-mail to USIP@nga.org, or contact Tom Unruh at NGA, 202/624-7833.