OFFICE OF INNOVATION PARTNERSHIPS $74,810,000
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The FY 2002 Budget Request for the Office of Innovation Partnerships is $74.81 million, $10.0 million less than the FY 2001 Current Plan. (Millions of Dollars)
Totals may not add due to rounding. Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) is a State-NSF partnership to stimulate sustainable improvements in R&D competitiveness through the development and utilization of science and technology (S&T) resources that reside at the state's major research universities. EPSCoR emphasizes local direction and administration by broad-based statewide governing committees, program accountability at all levels, and non-federal cost-sharing investments. EPSCoR currently operates in twenty-one states and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. The states are: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming. EPSCoR attempts to develop nationally competitive R&D infrastructures within participating states by promoting partnerships among state government, universities, and the private sector in strategic research areas with high growth potential. During FY 2000, EPSCoR researchers reported important accomplishments in support of the Foundation's Goal: "Discovery across the frontier of science and engineering, connected to learning, innovation and service to society." For example, researchers at the University of Montana examining the molecular and cellular mechanisms of chronic lung disease following exposure to hazardous environmental, occupational, and certain therapeutic agents are taking a new approach related to the importance of key cells and key mechanisms in the immune system. These studies may ultimately lead to the development of new and improved treatments for chronic lung diseases such as asthma and fibrosis and the identification of the genetic basis for susceptibility for these diseases. The impacts of environmental exposures on disease severity have not been adequately characterized and this new approach focuses on precisely those areas of societal concern as expressed in current, huge class-action lawsuits. The FY 2002 Request of $74.81 million will enable NSF to provide continuing support for the following activities: Research Infrastructure Improvement (RII) projects are 36-month awards of up to $9.0 million for research infrastructure improvements in S&T areas identified as critical to the state's future R&D competitiveness. A 50 percent non-federal state match is required over the term of the award. RII awards were made to the states of Alabama, Alaska, Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, and South Dakota in FY 2001. Co-funding represents projects receiving joint support of research and education proposals submitted by EPSCoR researchers to the Foundation's ongoing grant programs as a means of accelerating the movement of EPSCoR researchers and institutions into the mainstream of federal and private sector R&D support. During the period FY 1998-2000, EPSCoR researchers received 351 awards totaling $119.5 million. NSF research programs provided $68.7 million of this total. Outreach activities include a coordinated and comprehensive outreach program to universities, industry, and state government in EPSCoR states by NSF program officers and staff, to inform researchers and S&T administrators of NSF policies, programs, and procedures. Since the program's inception in FY 1998 over 500 visits to EPSCoR states have been made by NSF staff. Innovation Partnership Activities were funded at $9.98 million in FY 2001. These funds are being used to nucleate a wide range of approaches to the development of innovation partnerships. Current projects include 24 awards to institutions in 20 states and Puerto Rico. Additional awards will be made in FY 2001. No new funds are requested for this effort in the FY 2002 Budget Request.
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