SSTI Digest

Encouraging venture capital investments, creating R&D tax exemptions, and establishing three new technology-based organizations are just a few of the recommendations included in the first annual report of ITFlorida.com. The 34-member Information Service Technology Development Task Force was created by state legislation last year to assess the health of Florida's information technology industry. The Task Force also was required to recommend policies and legislation that would advance telecommunication networks and information technologies within the state. Eight subcommittees were formed to explore IT's role in business development and recruitment, K-12 education, workforce development, access and awareness, government, administrative and regulatory laws, civil and criminal laws, and infrastructure and technology development. In the report, a chapter is dedicated to the findings and recommendations of each subcommittee. Few funding specifics, such as amounts, sources or revenue implications, are identified for the recommendations. The enabling legislation for the task force sunsets in June…

Digital Government: The Next Step to Reengineering the Federal Government, a report issued by the Progressive Policy Institute (PPI), recommends principle and policy changes that the federal government should take to further develop digital government. The report also describes the means that the government can use to integrate information technology into its operations. Most of the findings and recommendations may be useful for state agencies, programs and departments. The Progressive Policy Institute (PPI), a national think tank focusing on the development of a new governing philosophy and an agenda geared toward the information age, first addresses the obstacles that block the quick, efficient development of a digital government. These include: lack of political support for digital government, focus on agencies and their needs versus customers and their convenience, and a lack of competitive pressures that force a shift toward a digital economy. The report profiles 12 principles for implementing successful digital government. These are: considering customers first;  re-inventing…

The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), the world's largest organization dedicated to the improvement of science teaching, and ExxonMobil Foundation today announced a $3.9 million grant from the Foundation to expand the Building a Presence for Science initiative. A primary objective of the program is to help science teachers implement state and national science education standards in their schools. A second goal is to create a network through which science teachers can share the latest ideas about effective science teaching. In partnership with state-based education organizations, NSTA identifies a cadre of educators to serve as Key Leaders in each state. The Key Leaders select, with input from principals, one teacher from each of 25-30 schools in a geographic cluster to serve as a Point of Contact. Each Point of Contact is a conduit to other science-teaching colleagues, bringing to them resources and professional development opportunities that emphasize state and national standards-based science teaching and learning. Teachers and schools adapt the program to fit priorities and…

The Technology Administration (TA) of the U.S. Department of Commerce seeks written comments on the application process used for the National Medal of Technology. The National Medal of Technology is the highest honor bestowed by the President to America's leading innovators. The Medal is given to individuals, teams, or companies for accomplishments in the innovation, development, commercialization, and management of technology, as evidenced by the establishment of new or significantly improved products, processes, or services. TA invites comments on: (a) whether the method of collection of nominations is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden (including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, e.g., the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of…

The National Institutes of Health have announced the availability of the following two patents for licensing: "Therapeutic Method to Treat Cancer and Define Cellular Regulatory Processes--Transcription Factor Decoy and Tumor Growth Factor'' Licensing information and a copy of the U.S. patent application referenced above may be obtained by contacting J. R. Dixon, Ph.D., at the Office of Technology Transfer, National Institutes of Health, 6011 Executive Boulevard, Suite 325, Rockville, Maryland 20852-3804 (telephone 301/496-7056 ext 206; fax 301/402-0220; E-Mail: jd212g@NIH.GOV). A signed Confidential Disclosure Agreement is required to receive a copy of any patent application. "Adenovirus Mediated Transfer of Genes" Licensing information, a copy of the U.S. patent or applications referenced to above, or a copy of the NIH License Application may be obtained by contacting Richard U. Rodriguez, M.B.A., at the Office of Technology Transfer, National Institutes of Health, 6011 Executive Boulevard, Suite 325, Rockville, Maryland 20852-3804…

Earlier this week, President Clinton announced 400 companies and non-profit organizations have signed on to a "National Call to Action to Close the Digital Divide." The document outlines two goals, each with four specific actions to bring the digital opportunity presented by the New Economy to youths, families, and communities around the country. The goals are : "GOAL ONE: 21st Century Learning Tools for Every Child in Every School For children to succeed, they need to master basic skills at an early age. A critical element of this is the need for information and technological literacy. To help achieve these aims, we must focus on a comprehensive approach to integrating technology into teaching and learning while recognizing that -- as powerful as technology is -- it is no substitute for an inspiring teacher or a loving parent. "Together, we must: Connect every classroom to the Internet  Ensure that all students have modern multi-media computer access, ideally at a ratio of one computer for every 4-5 students Ensure…

In the last days of a special legislative session, the New Mexico Legislature unanimously passed two technology tax credit bills. Entitled the “Technology Jobs Tax Credit Act” and the “Laboratory Partnership with Small Business Tax Credit Act,” these measures are intended to assist New Mexico’s technology-based businesses with the development of increased research investments and laboratory partnerships, especially in rural areas. The Technology Jobs Tax Credit Act provides a four-percent basic tax credit against expenditures of technology-based companies participating in research, development, and experimentation at qualified research facilities in the state. An additional four-percent tax credit is provided to businesses that participate in research and development in the state and increase their payroll by $75,000 for every $1,000,000 expended for R&D. If these activities take place in the designated rural areas of the state, the tax credits are doubled. According to the fiscal analysis, the credits are expected to cost the state $6.6 million in FY 2001 and $7.1 million in FY 2002.…

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has released the first request for proposals under the new Partnerships for Innovation Program (PFI). The program intends to support 15-25 collaborative efforts, totaling $8 million, that emphasize "productive links among relevant parties to enable innovation." Anticipated participants may include colleges and universities, not-for-profit institutions, state and local governments, trade and professional associations, venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, federal laboratories, and other relevant organizations and businesses. The PFI program strives to forge connections between new knowledge created in the discovery process to learning and innovation. "Partnerships for Innovation might include the planning and/or implementation of new models for innovation that connect discovery to use through knowledge transfer; education and training activities that explicitly address the workforce needs of the innovation enterprise; and, the development and deployment of new tools or mechanisms that support the innovation infrastructure. They may focus on creating a…

In a recently issued Executive Order, Missouri Governor Mel Carnahan officially named the life sciences industry as one of the state’s lead industries for promoting economic development. The order requires all executive branch departments to review their programs and evaluate each program’s impact on the life sciences industry for purposes of economic growth. The Department of Economic Development must prepare a report based upon these reviews that is due to the Governor by May 1, 2000. The order also created an interagency task force to increase interagency support of the life sciences industry. The task force is chaired by the Department of Economic Development and also includes members from the following departments: Education, Higher Education, Conservation, Natural Resources, Health, and others that can potentially promote the industry in Missouri. Home to more than 100 life sciences companies, Missouri currently ranks in the top one-third of states in the number of resident life sciences businesses. In an additional effort to promote the life sciences, 20 percent of the state’s…

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has the following four solicitations open for research and development projects. Chesapeake Bay Stock Assessments to Encourage Research Projects for Improvement in the Stock Conditions of the Chesapeake Bay Fisheries Deadline: April 21, 2000. Funds available: $540,000. Award Size/Duration: unspecified. Eligibility: State fishery agencies and academic and not-for-profit institutions. Contact for more information: Derek Orner at 410/267-5660 or derek.orner@noaa.gov Global Ocean Ecosystems Dynamics Program: Coastal Gulf of Alaska Ecosystem Deadline: May 1, 2000. Funds available: $3-6 million (estimated). Award Duration: five years. Eligibility: institutions of higher education, state and local governments, private nonprofit organizations, commercial entities, and federal researchers, including NOAA staff. Coastal Ocean Program Web site: http://www.cop.noaa.gov  Contact for more information: Elizabeth Turner at 301/713-3338, ext. 135 or elizabeth.turner@noaa.gov  National Marine Aquaculture Initiative Deadline:…

The National Science Foundation seeks applications to fill the position of Legislative Specialist (GS 301-11/12). The Legislative Specialist's work is closely related to the often-time critical flow of information about NSF programs and activities to the Congress, Congressional staff, state officials, industrial leaders, and the general public. Among other duties, the position is responsible for integrating state-related information available and coordinating state-related activities when appropriate. Also the incumbent shares in the responsibility for the establishment and maintenance of contacts with state policy makers in charge of science and engineering research and education programs, and organizations representing these individuals. A more complete position description is available on the S&T Job Corner of the SSTI web site: http://www.ssti.org/posting.htm 

The Department of the Navy has published a list of 140 inventions that are owned by the federal government and are available for exclusive or partially exclusive licenses. The list and contact information are available for review on the SSTI web site at: http://www.ssti.org/Digest/Tables/040700t.htm