SBIR/STTR & Commercialization of University Innovations The National Academies Washington DC February 5, 2014 Charles W. Wessner, PhD. Director, Technology, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship The National Academies 1 Charles W. Wessner PhD.
Welcome to the National Academies The National Academy of Sciences was chartered by Congress in 1863 to provide independent expert advice to the nation on matters related to science and technology. 2
The National Academies: Expansion To keep pace with the growing roles that science and technology would play in public life, the National Academy of Sciences was expanded to include The National Research Council in 1916, The National Academy of Engineering in 1964, The Institute of Medicine in 1970. Today, they are collectively known as The National Academies 3
The Academies Board on Science, Technology, and Economic Policy is Globally Recognized as a Center of Expertise on Innovation For over 20 years, STEP has identified ways to: Accelerate innovation, Advance U.S. competitiveness through better policy, Improve our understanding of the nation s economic performance, and Learn from other nations policies and practices. 4
STEP Work on Innovation Policy Conflict and Cooperation in National Competition for High Technology Industry Called for an activist and effective trade policy Best Practice in Public-Private Partnerships: Guidance on What Works Chaired by Gordon Moore, Chairman Emeritus, Intel Innovation in Global Industries Chaired by David Morgenthaler, Morgenthaler Ventures Patents in the Knowledge Based Economy Chaired by Richard Levin, Yale University & Mark Myers, University of Pennsylvania 5 Charles W. Wessner PhD.
STEP s Study of Global Innovation Comparative National Innovation Policies: Best Practice for the 21st Century Chaired by Ambassador Alan Wm. Wolff, McKenna Long & Aldridge, Former Deputy USTR Report: Rising to the Challenge: U.S. Innovation Policies for the Global Economy Documents policies and programs around the world to develop innovative capacity Highlights America s competitive challenges Provides concrete recommendations on how to capitalize on US and foreign investments in research 6 Charles W. Wessner PhD.
STEP Study of State and Regional Innovation in the U.S. New Report on Best Practice in State and Regional Innovation Initiatives Highlights new state and regional initiatives to strengthen existing industries and develop new technology focus areas. Identifies best practices with regard to goals, structures, instruments, modes of operation Calls for effective public-private partnerships, committed leadership, & substantial and sustained funding. 7
STEP s Review of MEP and Global Programs to Support Manufacturing Assesses the performance of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Urges greater resources, a one-to-one match, and improved assessment Reviews Leading National Programs to Support Applied Research and Manufacturing Canada s Industrial Research Assistance Program Germany s Fraunhofer Institutes Taiwan s Industrial Technology Research Institute Britain s Catapult Initiative France s Carnot Institutes 8
STEP s Innovation Policy Forum A focal point for a national and international dialogue on innovation policy. Fosters regular exchange of information on current and potential policy initiatives to advance innovation. What are current challenges and opportunities for U.S. innovation policy? What are the goals, instruments, funding levels, and results of national and regional programs? What are their lessons for U.S. policy? 9 Charles W. Wessner, Ph.D.
STEP s Study of SBIR Part 1 Crossing the Valley of Death: An Assessment of the SBIR Program Chaired by Jacques Gansler Improved the public s understanding of the challenges of Early Stage Finance Documented the diversity and flexibility of the SBIR programs Assessed effectiveness of agency SBIR programs Highlighted benefits of SBIR to agency missions and to the US innovation system This study is now in its second phase 10 Charles W. Wessner PhD.
The Study had a Major Impact on the 2012 SBIR Reauthorization Many contributions to the 2012 Reauthorization of the SBIR Program including Extension of the program: until 2017 Increase in award size: $150,000 for Phase I and $1 million for Phase II. Increase in set-aside: From 2.5% to 3.2% Enhanced Agency Flexibility: Can use Phase I from another agency for Phase II award Expanded Management Resources: Up to 3% of program funds Commercialization: Incentives to use SBIR technologies in agency acquisition programs 11 Charles W. Wessner PhD.
Part 2 of the SBIR Assessment The original Congressional Mandate (HR5667)calls for an update of the first report. 12 Charles W. Wessner PhD.
Key Issues for Part 2 of the SBIR Study Follow-up NRC surveys to capture changes in program perceptions, practices, and outcomes Assessing the efficacy of post-award commercialization programs. Exploring strategies to encourage participation by minorities and women led firms in SBIR. 13 Charles W. Wessner PhD.
Key Issues for Part 2 of the SBIR Study New approaches to streamlining the application and grant/contract awarding processes The role of complementary state and federal programs. Today s Conference: Universityindustry partnering and synergies with the SBIR/STTR programs. 14 Charles W. Wessner PhD.
It is now my pleasure to introduce the Chair of this study: The Hon. Jacques Gansler Roger C. Lipitz Chair in Public Policy and Private Enterprise Director, Center for Public Policy and Private Enterprise University of Maryland Former Under Secretary for Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics 15 Charles W. Wessner PhD
Thank You Charles W. Wessner, Ph.D. Director, Program on Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship The U.S. National Academies 500 Fifth Street NW Washington, D.C. 20001 cwessner@nas.edu Tel: 202 334 3801 http://www.nationalacademies.org/step 16