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SSTI Digest

UPDATES ON U.S. INNOVATION PARTNERSHIP AVAILABLE

Updates on activities the United States Innovation Partnership (USIP) are now available through an e-mail distribution list. To subscribe, send an e-mail to USIP@asme.org

INDUSTRIAL R&D UP — TURNAROUND IN MANUFACTURING CITED

Industrial research and development spending totaled approximately $145 billion in 1996, a 10 percent increase for the second year in a row. More than 83 percent of that funding came from industry itself with the federal government providing the remaining funds, according to a new Data Brief prepared by the National Science Foundation. Small businesses, those with 500 or less employees, spent slightly more than $20.2 billion or 14 percent of the total industrial R&D spending in 1996. This represented a 21 percent increase over 1995's total.

SENATORS FRIST AND ROCKEFELLER INTRODUCE BILL TO DOUBLE CIVILIAN R&D SPENDING

On June 25, Senators Bill Frist (R-TN) and Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) introduced a new bill, the Federal Research Investment Act (S. 2217). The purpose of the bill is to provide for the continuation of federal research investment in a fiscally sustainable way.

NSF RELEASES THREE DATA BRIEFS ON FEDERAL R&D FUNDING

The National Science Foundation's (NSF) Division of Science Resources Studies has released three individual data briefs all pertaining to federal research and development funding trends.

TORNATZKY GOING WEST; STC SEEKS NEW DIRECTOR

Lou Tornatzky has announced that he will be stepping down from his position as Director of the Southern Technology Council (STC), a position he has held since 1993. Tornatzky will be relocating with his family to the West Coast, but will continue to serve as an STC Research Fellow.

GOVERNORS RELEASE POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION REPORT

The Education Commission of the States has released a report entitled "Transforming Postsecondary Education for the 21st Century." This report is the result of an extensive survey of Governors from the fifty states and Puerto Rico. Their perceptions regarding the need to reshape the higher education system to meet fundamental state needs is the focus of the study.

SURVEY OF ENVIRONMENTAL PRODUCTS AND SERVICES RELEASED

The environmental technology and services industry, and its contribution to the national economy, have been evaluated in a new report entitled "Survey of Environmental Products and Services." The report is the product of a collaborative effort between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration, and the Department of Commerce's Bureau of the Census.

MAINE AND NAVY CREATE PARTNERSHIP TO USE REMOTE SENSING TECHNOLOGY

The State of Maine, the University of Maine, the US Navy, and the Maine Science and Technology Foundation (MSTF) have signed an agreement that initiates a partnership to improve the stewardship of the state's natural resources.

GOODMAN TO RETIRE

Nadia Goodman, the Louisiana Department of Economic Development's Director of Policy, Planning and Technology, has announced that she is retiring effective June 30. In addition to being very active within the Science and Technology Council of the States (STCS), Mrs. Goodman has been a good friend of SSTI's since its creation. SSTI staff trust that she will continue to provide advice and offer insights from her new residence in Mexico.

TECHNOLOGY ADMINISTRATION AUTHORIZATION PASSES SENATE COMMITTEE

The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation has favorably reported, with amendments, Senate Bill 1325, the Technology Administration Authorization Act for FY 1998-2000. The bill was originally introduced by Senator Frist (R-TN) in October of 1997.

SENATE TECHNOLOGY CAUCUS HOLDS ROUNDTABLE

The U.S. Senate Science and Technology Caucus, chaired by Senator Bill Frist (R-TN), held a roundtable discussion last week on the future of American innovation and competitiveness, specifically how to maintain America's science and technology edge in the world marketplace.

AIR FORCE SBIR PRE-SOLICITATION ANNOUNCEMENT

The U.S. Air Force has announced that its Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Program topics for FY99 will be released in mid-June. The Air Force is pre-releasing its topics before the Department of Defense's Pre-Solicitation in order to provide small businesses the maximum amount of time to ask technical questions. This early release offers the additional benefit of giving companies enough time to start marketing and networking.

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