Into high risk innovation? Have we got a deal for you.
Rick Ritter, over at TechConnect sent this to me. He says that Idaho has only ever had one winner but I know I’ve heard of people working on projects similar to this around here.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) announced today that it is seeking proposals for high-risk research projects to develop innovative technologies for inspecting, monitoring and evaluating critical components of the nation’s roadways, bridges, and drinking and wastewater systems. The competition for cost-shared research and development (R&D) support is the first to be announced by NIST’s newly established Technology Innovation Program (TIP) in an effort to address critical societal challenges.
NIST announced that, based on FY 2008 funds, it expects to award approximately $9 million in first-year funding for R&D projects focused on new, efficient, accurate, low-cost and reliable sensors and related technologies that provide quantitative assessments of the structural integrity or degree of deterioration of bridges, roads, water mains and wastewater collection systems. The competition, program managers said, addresses a critical national need for improved sensing technologies to help local, state, and national authorities more cost-effectively monitor and maintain the Nation’s vast public infrastructure, some portions of which have been in place for many years and are rapidly and dangerously aging.
TIP was established by the 2007 America COMPETES Act to support, promote, and accelerate innovation in the United States through high-risk, high-reward research in areas of critical national need. The merit-based competitive program can fund cost-shared R&D projects by single small-sized or medium-sized businesses and joint ventures that also may include institutions of higher education, non-profit research organizations and national laboratories. TIP awards are limited to no more than $3 million total over three years for a single company project and no more than $9 million total over five years for a joint venture.
Media Contact: Michael Baum, michael.baum@nist.gov, (301) 975-2763.
For more information, visit www.nist.gov/tip/comp08_apply.
html.
TIP is essentially the reincarnation of the old ATP program. With the reorganization from the newer COMPETES initiative, there should be some great opportunities.
Don’t forget to sign up at http://www.grants.gov for alerts for grants based on your preferred keywords. You might be VERY surprised - and TechConnect can help you prep for those.
[Tac, maybe add hotlinks to TIP, SBIR.gov, grants.gov etc.?]
Note also: Bipartisan effort to create the “National Innovation Foundation” (a la NSF) that would be the new umbrella for all these efforts like TIP. One rumor is that if NIF happens, it may get located west of the Mississippi. Hmm….