SSTI Digest

The Maine Science and Technology Foundation has launched http://www.mainescience.org -- a single website clearinghouse for businesses, researchers, educators, students and the public looking for information on science and technology in Maine. Under the headings of Quest, Brainpower, Happenings, and Commerce, the site:

Total research and development investment in the United States was strong in 2000, and is expected to increase about five percent in 2001, according to two separate reports recently released by Battelle Memorial Institute and the National Science Foundation.



Since 1994, spending on R&D in the United States has risen sharply, from $169.2 billion to a projected $264.2 billion in 2000, according to NSF, which issued Data Brief 01-310 Sixth Year of Unprecedented R&D Growth Expected in 2000 before the end of the year. That is the greatest single increase for any six-year period in the history of collecting R&D data, NSF said.

Editor's Note: We continue our look at the priority Governors are placing on tech-based economic development and math & science education with highlights from recent speeches and budget proposals. Based on this week's announcements, it appears 2001 appears will be a third strong growth year for state and local tech-based economic development activities.

Arkansas

Governor Mike Huckabee, State of the State Address, January 9, 2001, and accompanying legislative agenda

-- new initiatives

http://www.state.ar.us/governor/state_of_state_2001/index.html

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration is now accepting applications for funding through the Technology Opportunities Program (TOP). The purpose of the matching grants is to extend the benefits of advanced telecommunications technologies to all Americans, especially those in inaccessible, rural, and under-served urban communities. Entities eligible to apply include state, local, and tribal governments, colleges and universities, and non-profit entities. The deadline for submitting proposals is March 22, 2001. Congress appropriated $42.5 million for grants through TOP for Fiscal Year 2001.

Copies of the Application Kit, including the Notice and guidelines for completing an application, can be downloaded from the TOP web site: http://www.ntia.doc.gov/otiahome/top/

Whether it is proposal A, proposal B, or some combination of A and B, university research and development efforts in New York stand to gain an additional $40-50 million per year for the next five years. The new funding would be in addition to the $135 million injection of state funding directed toward university research excellence through the New York State Office of Science, Technology and Academic Research (NYSTAR). While both proposals focus heavily on university research, the initiatives vary substantially.

In December, Governor Bill Janklow created the South Dakota Math, Science and Technology Council to encourage more interest in math, science, and technology at all levels of education. The council's duties include: identifying major opportunities for coordinating math, science, technology and research efforts; promoting coordination of public and private initiatives in those areas; pursuing federal and private funding; and, identifying ways to create jobs in South Dakota in those areas.



Representation on the council is drawn from South Dakota State University, the University of South Dakota, the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, the state Board of Regents, the state department of economic development, state legislators, and business representatives. The 12 members were appointed by the Governor.

NASA has selected 280 research proposals across 37 states for negotiation of Phase I contract awards for its 2000 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program. The total value of the awards is expected to be more than $19 million, $1 million less than a year ago. The space agency made 290 awards in the 1999 solicitation cycle.



For the 2000 competition, NASA received 1,847 proposals, 413 fewer than 1999, from small, high-technology businesses located throughout the United States.



The selected firms will be awarded fixed-price contracts worth up to $70,000 to perform a six-month Phase I feasibility study. Companies which successfully complete the Phase I activities are eligible to compete for Phase II selection the following year. NASA Phase II awards allow for a two-year, fixed-price contract of up to $600,000.

An increasingly recognized and critical component of building a tech-based economy is the integration of university or college research and training capabilities into the local economic development strategy. While considerable attention is paid to the regional impact of large research institutions, not every community is home to an MIT, University of Texas, or Stanford.



Cities like Erie, Pennsylvania, – home to several small institutions of higher learning – are providing useful examples of alternative approaches for businesses and the community to benefit from the intellectual resources and talent available through area colleges and universities.

Editor’s Note: During the next few weeks, nearly every Governor will present a State of the State and/or budget address outlining new initiatives or priorities for the upcoming year. In the past, SSTI has compiled excerpts relevant to tech-based economic development for publication. This year we will highlight significant proposals in the SSTI Weekly Digest and provide links to the actual speech, related background, press releases, etc. Large or innovative developments will be given separate attention in the Digest.



Addresses and budget items of note for tech-based economic development so far:



Alaska

Governor Tony Knowles, FY 2002 Governor’s Operating Budget Request, Dec. 15, 2000

http://www.gov.state.ak.us/omb/2002site/Budget/DCED/2002_DCEDcover.html

During the past few weeks, the National Science Foundation has released more than a dozen reports, issue briefs, and early release statistical tables of potential interest to the S&T community. Due to limited space in this week's Digest, we are offering brief descriptions and links for more information.



Federal Funds for Research and Development: Detailed Historical Tables: Fiscal Years 1951-2000 [nsf01308]

-- Table 57 presents federal obligations to intramural performers by state: 1970-1998

URL: http://www.nsf.gov/cgi-bin/getpub?nsf01308

Jane Patterson leaves the North Carolina Governor's Office this week to become the Director of the Rural Internet Access Authority, a new state authority.



The NASVF Net News reports Alexa Heffernan has been named Executive Director of the Iowa Business Council. Myrt Levin retired in December.