SSTI Digest

"California must continue to increase funding for science and technology in its university systems or risk losing one of its most important comparative advantages," warns the Milken Institute in the State Technology & Science Index: Comparing and Contrasting California.

Commissioned by TechVentures Network and the California Technology Trade and Commerce Agency's Division of Science Technology and Innovation, Milken set about to develop a series of indicators to measure the performance of California’s high technology-based economy against the rest of the country.

The result is a set of 73 indicators arrayed across five composites: R&D inputs; risk capital and infrastructure; human capital investment; technology and science workforce; and technology concentration and dynamism.

The relaxation of international trade barriers and increased emphasis on globalization have had significant effects on the world's high-tech manufacturing industry. Two recent papers look at the phenomenon. An Infobrief from the National Science Foundation focuses on the growth of high-tech manufacturing in Latin America and a working paper released by the National Bureau of Economic Research considers the changes in the composition and character of the U.S. manufacturing industry in light of globalization. Brief summaries and links to download each report follows below.

Many states and communities are working to be leading participants in the rapidly growing biotech industries. Investments in academic research facilities and college scholarships to encourage more students to pursue biology and science degrees are among the strategies states are pursuing.

A report released last week by the National Research Council (NRC) suggests significant changes are needed to overhaul biology education, however, in order to ensure majors in these disciplines are prepared for the new demands of biotech.

The National Science Foundation recently released the latest edition of Characteristics of Doctoral Scientists and Engineers in the United States, which reports characteristics for 1999. Valuable data is presented in the report on the demographic and employment characteristics of doctoral scientists and engineers in the US. The goal of the publications is to provide policymakers and researchers quality data in regards to the educational attainment and career patterns of doctoral scientists and engineers.

The National Science Foundation performs this survey biennially and is a longitudinal survey conducted since 1973. Current and past reports can be found online at http://www.nsf.gov/sbe/srs/cdse/start.htm

Are you looking for funding for high-risk research? The Advanced Technology Program (ATP), part of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, bridges the gap between the research lab and the marketplace stimulating prosperity through innovation. ATP’s mission is to accelerate the development of innovative technologies through partnerships with the private sector.

Program Impact

ATP fills a gap between invention and innovation not substantially funded by private investors. About 80 percent of ATP funded projects have brought, or are soon bringing, one or more new products or processes into the marketplace. Eighty new products or processes are in the marketplace or expected soon. ATP accelerates technology development. Approximately 86 percent of 673 organizations in 347 projects reported that they are ahead in their R&D cycle as a result of ATP funding. Fifty-three percent said that they are ahead by one to three years. ATP fosters collaboration.

Do you have a great idea for a new industrial product or process that can help save energy, reduce emissions, and/or provide clean manufacturing? If so, then you will want to look to the Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy for possible financing. Several programs provide finance solutions through grants and seed money to help companies get energy ideas off the ground.

Mission

The EERE mission is to strengthen America’s energy security, environmental quality, and economic vitality in public-private partnerships that enhance energy efficiency and productivity; bring clean, reliable and affordable energy technologies to the marketplace; and make a difference in the everyday lives of Americans by enhancing their energy choices and their quality of life.

The Washington Technology Center (WTC), based in Seattle, WA, is searching for a person to fill the newly created position of Manager of Statewide Programs. This person will design and develop a statewide network of programs, services and connections to serve companies and entrepreneurs across Washington State. The person stepping into this position will lead the state's efforts to drive innovation and technology into economic growth through partnerships with local technology, economic development and research organizations.

The Statewide Program Manager should be someone with a technology and business background that is exceptional at:

Tuesday’s primary resulted in the selection of gubernatorial candidates in nine states: Arizona, Connecticut, Maryland, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin. As of press time, Florida’s primary results on the Democratic side were still uncertain.

SSTI reviewed the candidates’ campaign websites to determine their positions on economic development and the role of science and technology in today’s economy. Conventional political wisdom would indicate that in poor economic times, a major campaign theme would be economic development. If that’s the case this year, the theme is not reflected in most candidates’ websites.