larta has issued its 2002 Federal Technology Funding Guide, a survey of federal funding sources for technology firms. The sixth edition of the guide provides information on more than 90 regularly scheduled programs, hundreds of links to resources on the Web, and a special section funding for technologies to fight terrorism. An index identifies program by technology area or funding emphasis.
Two reports released during this past week examine state fiscal conditions for FY 2002 and a slowing national economy following the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11.
State Fiscal Outlook for FY 2002: October Update
Philanthropic individuals and foundations are increasingly vital contributors for tech-based economic development, particularly for "big-ticket" initiatives. Most gifts, such as that covered in the second item below, are tied to a specific relationship with a university or field of research, working independently of the strategies or programs developed by state or local tech-based economic development organizations.
Nearly every state legislature annually appropriates some level of funding to support research and development activities in the state's nonprofit, university, and industrial research communities. Few, though, have developed long-term, systematic attempts to measure the impact of those investments.
With almost every state seeing declining revenues in light of the recession and Sept. 11 attacks, projections from the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities that the economic stimulus package passed by the House on Wednesday could further reduce states’ revenues by as much as $5 billion for each of the next three years may further exacerbate the problem.
The Pittsburgh Technology Council's State of the Industry Report shows the region's technology sector, while continuing its growth, has become a significant driver of southwestern Pennsylvania's overall economy.
The Army Research Office (ARO) recently created an initiative – a University Affiliated Research Center (UARC) to be known as the Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies – to develop nanometer-scale science and technology solutions for soldiers.
Meeting Challenges in the New Economy, recently released by the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST), presents a comprehensive look at Oklahoma's position in science and technology.
Venture capital invested during the past three decades created 7.6 million U.S. jobs and more than $1.3 trillion in revenue as of the end of 2000, according to an economic impact study released Monday by the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA).
A national conference since 1997, the RuralTeleCongress (RTC) has transformed into a national organization devoted to rural telecommunications. RTC, which held its inaugural session October 14-16 at the Aspen Institute in Colorado, has launched a redesigned website as part of its transformation.
Jefferson County, Missouri
With most of the 2005 budget a likely victim of Congressional inertia as the Oct. 1 fiscal year start date approaches, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and the Office of Management and Budget have set the 2006 process in motion by issuing a joint memorandum outlining the Administration's research priorities, should it be re-elected in November.
For many states, increasing industrial research and development (R&D) within the state's academic research institutions is a priority. Some state tech-based economic development agencies offer financial assistance, such as matching grants to foster greater university-industry research collaboration. Some offer tax credits to companies for research expenditures within the state higher education community.
ASME is seeking a Project Manager responsible for the research, planning, launch and growth of strategic initiatives in the areas of industry relations/corporate services and young engineers. The individual will play a key role in the project management of strategic initiatives to help meet the priority objectives of the ASME Board of Governors.
Public corporations headquartered in the U.S. almost doubled the growth rate of their investment in R&D in 2000, according to new data from the advance estimates of annual U.S. corporate R&D released this week by the Commerce Department’s Office of Technology Policy.
With the announcement of the first 30 grants under the Federal and State Technology Partnership (FAST) less than two weeks old (see the October 5 issue of the Digest), the new federal program supporting state efforts to encourage small business technology development and commercialization is in danger of being cancelled.
"If technology is at the core of the Innovation Economy, then investment in research and development is one of the principal drivers in the creation of that technology."
After nearly ten years as the head of America's space program, NASA's longest-serving Administrator, Daniel S. Goldin, has announced his resignation, effective November 17, 2001. He also announced he has accepted an interim position as a Senior Fellow for the Council on Competitiveness in Washington D.C., as he transitions into the private sector.
If one were asked to identify localized examples of the economic spectacle that was the late 1990s, the metro region of Austin, Texas would be on most short lists. A recently completed economic development plan from the tech-soaked Austin suburb of Round Rock, however, reflects the fundamental upheaval or disruption that characterizes the economies of many regions of the country.
Richard Bendis, president and chief executive officer of the Kansas Technology Enterprise Corporation (KTEC), has accepted an offer to lead the newly created Innovation Philadelphia Corporation. Mr. Bendis has been involved with KTEC since the organization was created in 1987. He was appointed to the KTEC board of directors by the Governor and served as the board’s first chairman. Mr. Bendis served as interim president in 1994 before being named president in 1995.
The Australian Government has enacted new rules to attract international private equity investment in the country’s venture capital community. The rules introduce tax concessions for international investors, including university endowment funds and venture capital fund-to-fund vehicles. The rules will treat these investors in the same way as pension funds, exempting them from capital gains tax on their Australian investments.
The National Science Foundation has launched the new, online Industrial Research and Development Information System (IRIS) to provide easy access to information on industrial R&D performance across a broad range of years and criteria.
A Letter from Bozeman, Montana
The European Commission's 2001 European Innovation Scoreboard, characterizing the strengths and weaknesses in the capacity for innovation of the European Union (EU) and its member states, shows the EU continues to lag behind the U.S. and Japan.