With the title America Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education, and Science Act, it isn’t surprising that S.761 had 69 cosponsors in the U.S. Senate. The bill’s passage April 25, 2007, by an 88-8 vote by the full chamber sends an even stronger signal that the vast majority of the Senate has heard the message regarding the need for the federal government to be more aggressive in its support for science and technology.
S.761, a 210-page bill, compiles the recommendations of the National Academies of Science’s report Rising Above the Gathering Storm, the President’s America Competes Initiative and a few additional initiatives. The House of Representatives, by contrast, is considering several separate bills.
A quick scan of the bill by SSTI yields the following examples or highlights:
*Establishes the Innovation Acceleration Research Program – 8 percent of every federal research agency’s R&D budget would be set aside to provide grants to support “research projects that can yield results with far- or wide-ranging implications but are considered too novel or span too diverse a range of disciplines to fare well in the traditional peer review process.” Grants would be for research period of up to three years and renewed for another three-year period. Each federal research agency would be given 90 days after the Act becomes law to develop an implementation plan for meeting the program’s research and funding goals. Existing programs and initiatives could be incorporated into the implementation plans. That could mean an agency’s mandatory expenditures for programs like SBIR or STTR may count toward the 8 percent innovation goal.
*Creates a NASA Aeronautics Institute for Research. NASA would be required to move up to $160 million in unobligated fiscal year 2008 balances to supplement its spending on basic science and research, including the Explorer Program.
*Increases authorization levels for the National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST) by 33 percent over FY 2008-2011. The authorization level for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership would increase by $5 million per year – from $115 million in FY08 to $130 million in FY11. Language also is included defining a process for NIST to remove underperforming MEP centers from the program.
*Re-establishes the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Technology (EPSCoT) within NIST. The revived program, to be developed in cooperation with state and local TBED organizations, would provide matching grants to support TBED initiatives in states which historically have received less federal R&D funding than a majority of the states have received.
*Creates an Office of Science Math and Engineering Education Programs within the Department of Energy to oversee several initiatives and funding programs including grants to states to support specialty schools and summer institutes for science and math education.
*Increases authorization levels for the National Science Foundation (NSF) from $6.808 billion in FY08 to $11.2 billion in FY11. The bill requires a standard proportional share of NSF’s funding go to the Education and Human Resources directorate and the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR). Authorizations levels for several programs also are increased or established.
S.761 is available at: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:SN00761:
Credit: State Science and Technology Institute (SSTI) - www.ssti.org
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Low Numbers On High Tech for West Virginia
Commentary by
MetroNews Talkline Host Hoppy Kercheval
4/25/2007
When it comes to high-tech jobs, West Virginia is on the low end.
A new report by the trade group AeA (formerly the American Electronics Association) says West Virginia had 14,343 people working in high-tech jobs in 2006. Nationwide, the survey found, 5.8 million people work in the technical industry.
That means just two-tenths of one percent of all the tech jobs in the country are in West Virginia.
True, West Virginia is a small state (1.8-million people), but even when you factor in population the state ranks near the bottom in high-tech jobs.
The six states that have fewer high tech jobs than West Virginia are Alaska (9,298), Hawaii(14,024), Montana (10,542), North Dakota (10,187), South Dakota (8,629) and Wyoming (4,596). But each of those states has a smaller population that West Virginia.
And there are more high-tech lowlights.
The 2007 State New Economy Index study ranked West Virginia 50th. The study found West Virginia was near or at the bottom in categories such as knowledge jobs, economic dynamism, digital economy and innovative capacity.
So, why are we so low on the high-tech scale?
For the rest of the commentary, visit the MetroNews website.
MetroNews Talkline Host Hoppy Kercheval
4/25/2007
When it comes to high-tech jobs, West Virginia is on the low end.
A new report by the trade group AeA (formerly the American Electronics Association) says West Virginia had 14,343 people working in high-tech jobs in 2006. Nationwide, the survey found, 5.8 million people work in the technical industry.
That means just two-tenths of one percent of all the tech jobs in the country are in West Virginia.
True, West Virginia is a small state (1.8-million people), but even when you factor in population the state ranks near the bottom in high-tech jobs.
The six states that have fewer high tech jobs than West Virginia are Alaska (9,298), Hawaii(14,024), Montana (10,542), North Dakota (10,187), South Dakota (8,629) and Wyoming (4,596). But each of those states has a smaller population that West Virginia.
And there are more high-tech lowlights.
The 2007 State New Economy Index study ranked West Virginia 50th. The study found West Virginia was near or at the bottom in categories such as knowledge jobs, economic dynamism, digital economy and innovative capacity.
So, why are we so low on the high-tech scale?
For the rest of the commentary, visit the MetroNews website.
Congress Releases Report on Nanotechnology
The Joint Economic Committee of the U.S. Congress recently released a study on nanotechnology. The report, Nanotechnology: The Future is Coming Sooner than You Think, gives a concise overview of what nanotechnology is, how the technology has progressed, possible dangers and the role of the federal government.
The report describes the need for cross-disciplinary research as well as multi-institutional funding in order to fully capitalize on the future of nanotechnology. Follow this link to read the full report: http://www.house.gov/jec/publications/110/nanotechnology_03-22-07.pdf
Credit: Southern Compass, a weekly e-mail newsletter of the Southern Growth Policies Board - www.southern.org
The report describes the need for cross-disciplinary research as well as multi-institutional funding in order to fully capitalize on the future of nanotechnology. Follow this link to read the full report: http://www.house.gov/jec/publications/110/nanotechnology_03-22-07.pdf
Credit: Southern Compass, a weekly e-mail newsletter of the Southern Growth Policies Board - www.southern.org
NSF: 2006 R&D Spending Up, But Growth Rate Slows
The National Science Foundation (NSF) projects U.S. spending for R&D in 2006 will be 6 percent higher than it was in 2005, once all figures are compiled for all sources of funds surveyed: industry, the federal government, universities, colleges and other nonprofit institutions. (Note: State sources of funds are captured only through the separate surveys of industrial and university performers.) Total 2006 U.S. R&D expenditures are expected to surpass $342.9 billion, up $19 billion from 2005.
Estimated figures for 2005 were 7.8 percent higher than 2004 in current dollars, NSF reports in its April 2007 InfoBrief. Accounting for inflation increases the difference between 2005 and 2006 growth rates even more, as inflation picked up speed in 2006. Increases in R&D spending outpaced inflation in both years, however. The 2005 figures are 5 percent greater than 2004 after inflation, while 2006 is only 3.5 percent higher than 2005.
NSF notes the increase in real R&D in 2006 primarily reflected growth in R&D performed by for-profit companies operating in the U.S. R&D performed by the federal government declined by $800 million over 2005 estimates, while industrial R&D grew by more than $9 billion.
The InfoBrief is available at: http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/infbrief/nsf07317/.
Credit: State Science and Technology Institute (SSTI) - www.ssti.org
Estimated figures for 2005 were 7.8 percent higher than 2004 in current dollars, NSF reports in its April 2007 InfoBrief. Accounting for inflation increases the difference between 2005 and 2006 growth rates even more, as inflation picked up speed in 2006. Increases in R&D spending outpaced inflation in both years, however. The 2005 figures are 5 percent greater than 2004 after inflation, while 2006 is only 3.5 percent higher than 2005.
NSF notes the increase in real R&D in 2006 primarily reflected growth in R&D performed by for-profit companies operating in the U.S. R&D performed by the federal government declined by $800 million over 2005 estimates, while industrial R&D grew by more than $9 billion.
The InfoBrief is available at: http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/infbrief/nsf07317/.
Credit: State Science and Technology Institute (SSTI) - www.ssti.org
WVU Health Sciences VP Stepping Down
Robert M. D’Alessandri, M.D., will resign his post of vice president for health sciences at West Virginia University (WVU) at the end of the current semester, bringing to a close a 30-year career as leader of the state’s leading health institution.D’Alessandri has been selected as president of the new Medical College of Northeastern Pennsylvania, in Scranton.
“Dr. D’Alessandri will leave WVU with a remarkable record of achievement,” said WVU President David C. Hardesty Jr. “I want to thank him for what he has done for the University and our entire state in his distinguished career here. I have witnessed first-hand the very skilled way in which he's led with absolute integrity and vision."
WVU officials will conduct a nationwide search for D’Alessandri’s successor. A search committee will be announced soon.
Current Senior Associate Vice President Fred Butcher, Ph.D., will act as the vice president until a permanent replacement has been named.
D’Alessandri joined the WVU faculty in 1977, and served as dean of the School of Medicine from 1989 to 2004.
Monday, April 30, 2007
Call for Presenters
2007 Virginia/West Virginia Water Research Symposium
November 28-29, 2007
The Inn at Virginia Tech and Skelton
Conference Center
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia
Managing Water Resources: Aquatic Community Connections
The Virginia Water Resources Research Center and West Virginia Water Research Institute invite you to submit a paper abstract or workshop proposal. Basic and applied research papers are solicited in all areas related to water and the environment (natural sciences, policy, and socio-economic issues).
Researchers from colleges and universities (faculty, graduate and undergraduate students), federal and state agencies, private organizations, consulting firms, and others are invited to present papers and lead workshops.
Abstract Submission:
Submit an abstract of 150-250 words and include the paper title, author(s) (note when presenting author is a student for inclusion in the Best Student Presentation Competition), affiliation of author(s), phone number and e-mail address. Full papers will be accepted for publication in the proceedings. Presenters agree to register for the symposium.
Workshop Proposal Submission:
Submit a 1-2 page workshop outline that includes information on the subject matter and name(s), affiliation(s), e-mail address and phone number of workshop instructors.
Deadlines:
1. Submission of Abstracts and Workshop Proposals - June 8, 2007
2. Notification of Acceptance/Rejection - June 29, 2007
3. Papers for publication in the proceedings - November 1, 2007
For more information or to request submission guidelines, contact Jane Walker at janewalk@vt.edu.
November 28-29, 2007
The Inn at Virginia Tech and Skelton
Conference Center
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia
Managing Water Resources: Aquatic Community Connections
The Virginia Water Resources Research Center and West Virginia Water Research Institute invite you to submit a paper abstract or workshop proposal. Basic and applied research papers are solicited in all areas related to water and the environment (natural sciences, policy, and socio-economic issues).
Researchers from colleges and universities (faculty, graduate and undergraduate students), federal and state agencies, private organizations, consulting firms, and others are invited to present papers and lead workshops.
Abstract Submission:
Submit an abstract of 150-250 words and include the paper title, author(s) (note when presenting author is a student for inclusion in the Best Student Presentation Competition), affiliation of author(s), phone number and e-mail address. Full papers will be accepted for publication in the proceedings. Presenters agree to register for the symposium.
Workshop Proposal Submission:
Submit a 1-2 page workshop outline that includes information on the subject matter and name(s), affiliation(s), e-mail address and phone number of workshop instructors.
Deadlines:
1. Submission of Abstracts and Workshop Proposals - June 8, 2007
2. Notification of Acceptance/Rejection - June 29, 2007
3. Papers for publication in the proceedings - November 1, 2007
For more information or to request submission guidelines, contact Jane Walker at janewalk@vt.edu.
Seminar to Explore Discovery, Intellectual Property and Commercialization
Presented by
Gardiner Smith
Gardiner Smith
Bowles Rice McDavid Graff and Love PLLC
Friday, May 11, 2007
11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Room 402, Drinko Library
Marshall University
Friday, May 11, 2007
11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Room 402, Drinko Library
Marshall University
Huntington, WV
An overview will be provided of the context in which academic excellence and public investment have led to a global pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry over the past decades. It will focus on how to foster innovation with appropriate intellectual property protections, how to form an ongoing network, and series of scientific collaborators as appropriate. Additional attention will be given to extending research productivity through licenses, collaborations and alliances with R&D and commercial biopharmaceutical companies. Examples of licensing arrangements will be used to highlight value creation, risk and return on investment, as viewed from both academic and capital markets perspectives.
You are welcome to bring your lunch.
About the Speaker
Gardiner Smith is special counsel at Bowles Rice McDavid Graff and Love, where he practices in the areas of intellectual property, biotechnology and licensing. Smith is a graduate of North Carolina Central University School of Law and received his bachelor of arts from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. He joined Bowles Rice from Aspreva Pharmaceuticals, where he was the senior vice-president of Business Development and Licensing. Smith served as in-house intellectual property attorney at GlaxoSmithKline, a research-based pharmaceutical company. His role with GSK focused on compound licensing in oncology, research and development alliances and acquisitions. He was also a patent attorney and a scientist at Glaxo Research Institute. Additionally, he served in senior transactional roles at Human Genome Sciences and Memory Pharmaceuticals, two publicly traded biotechnology companies.
RSVP
Amy Anastasia, Assistant Director of the Technology Transfer Office
amy.anastasia@marshall.edu
(304) 696-4365
An overview will be provided of the context in which academic excellence and public investment have led to a global pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry over the past decades. It will focus on how to foster innovation with appropriate intellectual property protections, how to form an ongoing network, and series of scientific collaborators as appropriate. Additional attention will be given to extending research productivity through licenses, collaborations and alliances with R&D and commercial biopharmaceutical companies. Examples of licensing arrangements will be used to highlight value creation, risk and return on investment, as viewed from both academic and capital markets perspectives.
You are welcome to bring your lunch.
About the Speaker
Gardiner Smith is special counsel at Bowles Rice McDavid Graff and Love, where he practices in the areas of intellectual property, biotechnology and licensing. Smith is a graduate of North Carolina Central University School of Law and received his bachelor of arts from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. He joined Bowles Rice from Aspreva Pharmaceuticals, where he was the senior vice-president of Business Development and Licensing. Smith served as in-house intellectual property attorney at GlaxoSmithKline, a research-based pharmaceutical company. His role with GSK focused on compound licensing in oncology, research and development alliances and acquisitions. He was also a patent attorney and a scientist at Glaxo Research Institute. Additionally, he served in senior transactional roles at Human Genome Sciences and Memory Pharmaceuticals, two publicly traded biotechnology companies.
RSVP
Amy Anastasia, Assistant Director of the Technology Transfer Office
amy.anastasia@marshall.edu
(304) 696-4365
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