SSTI Digest

The Administration’s budget request includes a 5.6% increase of $1 billion in biomedical research within the National Institutes of Health. The funding would support research in the areas of diabetes, brain disorders, cancer, genetic medicine, disease prevention strategies, and development of an AIDS vaccine. The increased funding also would result in approximately $25 million in additional funding for the NIH SBIR Program.

For the first time in many years, the budget request for NASA reflects an increase, rather than a cut. R&D programs would receive a 14 percent increase if the President's budget request passes. Commercial Technology Programs within the Science, Aeronautics and Technology unit would receive $135 million, a decrease of $5 million over FY 2000. Academic programs would experience a sharper drop of $38.8 million to a FY 2001 total of $100 million. HIghlights include: National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program – $19.1 million (no change) NASA EPSCoR – $4.6 million (down $5.4 million) Innovative Reform Initiatives – $500,000 (no change) for systemic improvements in math & science education NASA SBIR – $100 million (up $2.4 million) Technology Transfer Agents, including the National Technology Transfer Center and the TechLink Center at Montana State University – $5.8 million (down $1.5 million)

Under the President's budget request, NSF would receive increased funding of $675 million or 17.3 percent, doubling the single largest increase ever for the Foundation. If passed, Funding for NSF will have increased by 66 percent since President Clinton took office. Selected program highlights for the FY 2001 request: Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) – $48.4 million (down $3 million) to broaden participation of states and regions in science and engineering. Office of Innovation Partnerships – (no new funding) established in FY 2000 with $8.5 million, to examine means of helping institutions expand their research capacity and competitiveness. Engineering Research Centers (ERCs) – $69 million (up $9 million). Science & Technology Centers (STCs) – $44 million (down $9 million). Materials Research Science and Engineering Centers (MRS&ECs) – $58 million (up $6 million) Centers for Research Excellence in Science & Technology – $9 million (no change). Industry/University Cooperative Research Centers (I/UCRCs) – $5 million (…

The SBA budget requests $1 billion in new spending authority, including the expanded New Markets Venture Capital Program mentioned under the Interagency Initiatives. The program is designed to increase access to equity capital and technical assistance to women, minorities and to businesses located in low- and  moderate-income rural areas and inner cities. It proposes $150 million in SBA-backed funds for these venture capital companies, and $30 million to pay for technical assistance for the firms in which they invest. Other potentially technology-relevant highlights include: $14 million under the Small Business Innovation Research program to help small companies commercialize products they develop under the sponsorship of the federal government. The 3-year pilot program would would support Phase III by providing federal funds averaging $250,000, to match contributions from non-federal sources in a 1:2 ratio. An additional $1 million is proposed to develop multi-agency SBIR solicitation topics, solicit white papers and hold workshops for small businesses. $60…

As was the case in the Administration’s budget request last year, the Department of Transportation’s R&D programs have the greatest percentage growth over the previous year’s funding level at 37 percent. A record $1.28 billion, would be spent for transportation research and for the development and deployment of new technologies. This includes: $338 million, 83 percent more than FY 2000, for smart traffic signals, regional travel information networks and other intelligent transportation systems. Another $20 million would be spent for the Advanced Vehicle Program, to develop less-polluting trucks and buses. University Transportation Research Program, $6 million (no change) for university-based research on transportation issues. National Research and Technology Program within the Federal Transit Administration, $30 million for R&D and deployment of technologies focusing on accessibility for the disabled, air quality, traffic congestion, fuel cells, propulsion systems and improvements in transit safety, service and operations (change from FY 2000 not available).…

Governor Tom Vilsack has unveiled a plan to enhance Iowa’s science and technology base. In his 2001 budget proposal, the governor has proposed $10 million in state funds to create Centers of Excellence in the life sciences, information solutions, and advanced manufacturing areas. Iowa's Regent’s Universities and the Iowa Department of Economic Development will inventory current assets, evaluate the potential for critical mass commercialization of new products and processing methods, and develop a continuous cycle for Iowa's advancement in these areas. In addition, Governor Vilsack has appointed a technology advisor and three industry-specific technology advisors in the areas of life sciences, information solutions, and advanced manufacturing. The four advisors will be responsible for formulating industry-driven technology strategies designed to further the life science, advanced manufacturing, and information solutions areas. In addition, a three-year economic development investment plan is to be designed to strengthen Iowa’s technological presence in each of these three focus areas. …

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge has proposed that 15 percent of the Commonwealth’s expected $11 billion tobacco settlement monies be directed toward health-care related research and venture capital. Pennsylvania anticipates receiving between $397 and $459 million each year for the next 25 years. Governor Ridge recommended ten percent of the settlement be spent on broad-based health research with funding targeted to Pennsylvania health priorities and Pennsylvania researchers and organizations. The $1.1 billion funding level is comparable to the amount committed to life sciences research by Michigan from its tobacco settlement funds; a similar proposal is pending in Ohio. Under the Governor’s plan, five percent of the settlement would be used to create a new venture capital fund, capitalized over three years, to provide early stage investments for health-care related business development in Pennsylvania. More information can be found at: http://db.state.pa.us/ctc/data/20000126.000.htm

Last week, President Clinton announced the recipients of the 1999 National Medal of Science and National Medal of Technology, the nation's highest science and technology honors. The National Medal of Science, established by Congress in 1959 and administered by the National Science Foundation, honors individuals for contributions to the present state of knowledge across a variety of science frontiers. Including this year's recipients, the Medal of Science has been awarded to 374 distinguished scientists and engineers. The National Medal of Technology, established by Congress in 1980 and administered by the Department of Commerce, recognizes technological innovation and advancement of the nation's global competitiveness, as well as ground-breaking contributions that commercialize a technology, create jobs, improve productivity, or stimulate the nation's growth and development in other ways. To date, 110 individuals and 11 companies have been honored with this award. The recipients are: 1999 National Medal of Science Awardees David Baltimore, Nobel Laureate and Professor of…

Dr. Mary L. Good, president-elect of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and former Under Secretary for Technology in the Department of Commerce, has received the 1999 Heinz Award in Technology, the Economy, and Employment from the Heinz Family Foundations. The Award is given in recognition for Dr. Good’s “singular vision in working to build an economy fueled by scientific knowledge and technological know-how.” In the six years the Heinz Family Foundation has recognized outstanding contributions in technology, economy and employment, Dr. Good is the first woman to receive the honor. The award comes with a $250,000 stipend. According to an Arkansas newspaper, Dr. Good may donate some of the money to the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, where she is currently the interim dean of the College of Information Science and Systems Engineering. Dr. Good also presently serves as the managing member of Venture Capital Investors LLC, an investors’ group in Little Rock, Arkansas, her home state. More information on the Heinz Award may be found at: http://www.awards.heinz…

The South Carolina Technology Alliance has released South Carolina Technology Initiative 2000, a science and technology strategic plan outlining six specific recommendations for strengthening the state’s position in a knowledge-based economy. The plan, requested by Governor Jim Hodges in a July 1999 executive order, addresses four short-term and three long-term goals outlined by Governor Hodges to increase South Carolina’s competitive position with its neighboring states, as well as improve its global posture as a technology leader. The recommendations focus on developing the state’s infrastructure to support technology businesses and enhance the quality of the education system. The Alliance also emphasized that, while additional public financial resources would be required to implement the plan, the most important requirements are high profile leadership by the state, and coordination and cooperation among the various state agencies, research institutions and private businesses. The six recommendations are: Create the position of South Carolina Secretary of Technology, reporting…

The Economic Development Administration (EDA) is accepting applications to support projects designed to alleviate conditions of substantial and persistent unemployment and underemployment in economically distressed areas and regions of the nation, and to address economic dislocations resulting from sudden and severe job losses. Distress may exist in a variety of forms, including, but not limited to, high levels of unemployment, low income levels, large concentrations of low-income families, significant decline in per capita income, substantial loss of population because of the lack of employment opportunities, large numbers (or high rates) of business failures, sudden major layoffs or plant closures, military base closures, natural or other major disasters, depletion of natural resources, and/or reduced tax bases. Special need criteria that is described in the announcement must be met for eligibility. EDA has a total of $360,550,000 available to fund projects in FY 2000 across several programs. More than half of the funds are allotted to the Public Works and Economic Development Assistance Program…

The Department of Commerce, on behalf of the Subgroup on Legal Barriers to Electronic Commerce (``Legal Barriers Subgroup'') of the U.S. Government Working Group on Electronic Commerce, requests public comments and suggestions concerning policies, laws or regulations that need to be adapted in order to eliminate barriers to and promote electronic commerce, electronic services, and electronic transactions. President Clinton created the Working Group on November 29, 1999 (see the 12/3/99 issue of the SSTI Weekly Digest) to identify ways the federal government can increase U.S. electronic commerce activity. The Department of Commerce was given lead responsibility for the group’s work. The agency has identified a dozen questions for public response or input. Comments are requested by March 17, 2000. (See the February 1, 2000 Federal Register, pages 4801-4803). According to the Register announcement, comments will be accepted via the Web at http://www.ecommerce.gov   Alternatively, electronic submissions may be sent as documents attached to E-mail messages addressed to ebarriers@ita.…