SSTI Digest

A recent National Science Board’s Science and Engineering Indicators report on the knowledge- and technology-intensive (KTI) industries analyzed production, trade and enabling technologies of KTI industries and found that KTI industries contributed 11 percent to both U.S. GDP ($2.3 trillion) and global GDP ($9.2 trillion) in 2019. Even though overall U.S. GDP declined during the COVID-19 pandemic, the value added generated by domestic KTI industries increased by 2.2 percent in 2019–20 as industries responded to a surge in demand led by increases in output of industries supporting remote work transitions and supplying medical products, while manufacturing of chemicals, transportation equipment and machinery declined.  KTI industries are composed of both the manufacturing and services industries. While the national share of gross domestic product (GDP) produced by KTI industries has remained stable at 11 percent since 2002, a shift has occurred in the composition of U.S. KTI output away from manufacturing industries and into services industries. KTI manufacturing industries include air and spacecraft and related machinery; pharmaceuticals; computer, electronic,…

From 2005 to 2008, the clean technology industry experienced a venture capital boom where the share of total VC investments in clean energy technologies tripled before falling dramatically. Many studies have concluded that the boom and bust in cleantech as an equity investment focus was because clean energy does not fit the venture capital “model.” A recent study from the National Bureau of Economic Research explores other possible reasons for the failure of venture capital to remain interested in clean energy. The NBER researchers propose that a lack of demand for clean technologies impacted investors’ decisions, especially when coupled with the failure of the cap and trade bill in Congress in 2009. Additionally, they suggest clean energy firms may be unable to earn oversized profits rapidly – a priority for VC investors – due to difficulties differentiating products and increasing market power. A third concern or explanation the researchers explored is the role of governments and public sector investments in funding clean energy startups. The study uses firm-level data on funding activities and startups from Crunchbase, a source that collects its data through…

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont launched the Community Investment Fund 2030 (CIF), a five-year grant program of up to $875 million to foster economic development in historically underserved communities across Connecticut. Eligible projects include capital improvements as well as small business support programs that provide revolving loans, gap financing, microloans, or start-up financing. The first round of funding will provide a target of up to $75 million in total funding, with a minimum individual project size of $250,000. The CIF board anticipates two rounds of funding per year for five years. The CIF will be administered by the state Department of Economic and Community Development and overseen by a 21-member board that will review applications and make recommendations to the governor, who will approve and forward applications to the State Bond Commission. The deadline to submit applications is July 25.

Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced the appointment of 32 members to the National Advisory Council on Innovation & Entrepreneurship (NACIE). Individuals chosen from a pool of more than 260 nominees will be charged with helping to identify and recommend solutions to drive the innovation economy. “NACIE will be charged with developing a National Entrepreneurship Strategy that strengthens America’s ability to compete and win as the world’s leading startup nation and as the world’s leading innovator in critical emerging technologies. The council will help with identifying and recommending solutions to drive the innovation economy, including growing a skilled STEM workforce and removing barriers for entrepreneurs ushering innovative technologies into the market. The council also facilitates federal dialogue with the innovation, entrepreneurship, and workforce development communities,” according to the press release. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo and Dr. Sethuraman Panchanathan, director of the National Science Foundation will serve as NACIE’s two federal ex-officio co-chairs. The full list of…

After declines in 2016 and 2017, the number of graduate students and postdoctoral appointees at the nation’s institutions of higher education increased nationally from 2018 to 2020, according to National Science Foundation (NSF) data from its Graduate Students and Postdoctorates in Science and Engineering (GSS) survey. However, this SSTI analysis shows considerable variation among the states over the five-year period from 2016 to 2020. Evaluating long-term trends in S&E graduate students and postdocs can help policymakers and program designers identify potential issues, enabling the development of more effective policies and programs.

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito are urging Massachusetts legislators to act on their proposed  legislation  that includes $3.5 billion in clean energy and economic development initiatives. The bill includes $2.3 billion in funding from the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and over $1.256 billion in capital bond authorizations to support projects to strengthen state infrastructure, create jobs and invest in all 351 cities and towns in the state. The legislation, called An Act Investing in Future Opportunities for Resiliency, Workforce, and Revitalized Downtowns (FORWARD), includes $1.2 billion in ARPA funds for climate resiliency and preservation efforts, with more than half of that designated for the commonwealth’s clean energy industry.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced today that five states — Hawaii, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan and West Virginia — have had their State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) capital programs approved by the agency. Not all programs to be run by these states have been announced at this time, but they include: HI-CAP Invest program, which will support impact funds; GROWKS Angel Capital Support Program; Maryland’s Neighborhood Business Works Venture Debt Program; and, West Virginia’s seed capital co-investment fund. Maryland TEDCO reported that it will receive $50 million of the state’s SSBCI funding and will split those resources between four existing programs targeting technology-based businesses and entrepreneurs. Three programs — the Venture Equity Fund, Venture Capital Limited Partnership Equity program, and Seeds Funds Equity program — are primarily focused on venture capital and startup funding. The fourth, the Social Impact Fund, provides investment and support to entrepreneurs who demonstrate economic or social disadvantage. Through these programs, TEDCO will continue to leverage its relationships with top-tier technology companies, entrepreneurs,…

The National Student Clearinghouse Research Center recently released the third report in its Some College, No Credentials (SCNC) series investigating the educational trajectory of U.S. adults who have left postsecondary education without receiving any credentials. This report addresses concerns about low student success rates across the nation and intends to identify opportunities where SCNC students can be encouraged to continue postsecondary programs and earn credentials. This edition features three new metrics for tracking SCNC students: re-enrollment, completion of the first credential, and perseverance indicated by continued enrollment after the first re-enrollment. The report found that the number of SCNC students increased in the U.S. to about 39 million as of July 2020, which was about 3.1 million (8.6 percent) more than the 36 million SCNC students reported in 2019. Most states experienced a net growth in the number. Combined, California, Texas, New York, and Illinois account for over a third of SCNC students in the country. However, the report found that Alaska has the largest population of SCNC students per 1,000 undergraduates currently enrolled among states…

Two recent studies explored public perceptions of science and technology and higher education in the United States. The first study from the NSF National Science Board explores public perceptions and awareness of science and technology among American adults, and a separate report from New America analyzes attitudes on higher education, with a particular interest in the transition to online instruction in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The NSF National Science Board study explores three dimensions of public perceptions of science and technology, including Americans’ perceptions of science and technology, how well Americans understand scientific logic and research processes, and where Americans encounter science and get scientific information. The study found that public confidence in science generally remains high, and trust in medical scientists has increased since 2016. In 2020, about 43 percent of Americans expressed great confidence in medical scientists, a 19 percent increase from the 24 percent reported in 2016. Most Americans reported a basic understanding of scientific research, but only a minority reported having any recent experience with scientific…

To expand the innovation capacity in the nation, the United States needs to leverage resources, creativity, and ingenuity from across all geographic regions. The National Science Foundation this week announced a new program in support of these efforts: the NSF Regional Innovation Engines, or NSF Engines program. This program encourages the creation of regional coalitions of industry, academia, government, nonprofits, civil society, and communities of practice to form partnerships that boost scientific and technological innovation and benefit the economy in a geographic region. Specifically, the NSF Engines program targets geographic areas in the U.S. that lack well-established innovation ecosystems. Awards of up to $160 million for up to 10 years ultimately will be provided. At SSTI’s Annual Conference this week, attendees learned more about this program from NSF representatives. The NSF Engines program describes the growth of an innovation ecosystem with a five-phase model: Development Phase Nascent Phase Emergent Phase Growth Phase Mature Phase The first type of award, Type-1, will focus on the Development Phase. This award can provide up to $1 million…

With practitioners, policymakers and leaders in the innovation field from more than 40 states, the SSTI Annual Conference dove deep into discussions on federal funding, income and geographical inequality, climate and water challenges, workforce issues and more this week. Members and new attendees were welcomed to Little Rock, with support from host partner, the Arkansas Research Alliance, and national and local sponsors. The SSTI Annual Conference is known as the place for information sharing and making new connection in the innovation economy. University Research Corridor Executive Director Britany Affolter-Caine called participants the “best networked partner people on the planet.” Thank you to all the speakers, sponsors and attendees, and stay tuned as we build out those discussions through future activities. Discussion groups at the SSTI Annual Conference contribute to the shared understanding of the issues affecting regions across the country. Jennifer Leinbach (seated) and Ryan Glenn, Scott Nissenbaum, and John Sider (left to right), all SSTI members from Pennsylvania, feel the power of the replica of the Resolute desk while…

The National Science Foundation (NSF) Convergence Accelerator intends to provide solutions with nationwide social impact at an accelerated pace. Recently, NSF announced the addition of three new research tracks for the 2022 cohort: Track H, Track I, and Track J. The latest research track topics for the NSF Convergence Accelerator include: Track H: Enhancing Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities Track I: Sustainable Materials for Global Challenges Track J: Food & Nutrition Security These tracks highlight current societal issues like enhancing the quality of life and employment access for persons with disabilities, encouraging environmental considerations in advancements for material science, and addressing nutritional needs for vulnerable and disadvantaged communities. Selected teams will participate in Phase 1, an accelerated 12-month planning period with up to $750,000 in grant funding. Following Phase 1, teams will conduct a formal NSF pitch and proposal evaluation, and selected groups will advance to Phase 2 to continue development. During Phase 2, teams may be eligible to receive up to $5 million in funding. Applications are open for…