In June, the Milken Institute released its 2008 State Technology and Science Index, which ranks the 50 states in terms of their technology and science assets, and their ability to leverage those resources to achieve economic growth; Colorado is ranked third, behind Massachusetts and Maryland.

Colorado Recognized as Emerging Biotech Cluster

Genome Technology recently released a report highlighting 11 established and nine emerging biotech regions - hotbeds of research that have sprung up naturally over the years, or through major funding initiatives in a relatively short period of time.

NIH Responds to Critics on Peer Review, Sets Sights on Transformative Research

As part of an initiative called Enhancing Peer Review, announced in a finalized form on 6 June, the NIH will spend at least $200M annually over the next five years to foster groundbreaking, investigator-initiated research. Of that, at least $250M will go to the new Transformative R01 Award, a reach-for-the-skies version of the NIH's basic grant.

Professional Science Master's Degree Programs Should be Expanded

U.S. policymakers, universities, and employers should work together to speed the development of professionally oriented master's degree programs in the natural sciences, says a new report from the National Research Council.

Roundup: University, Community, State, National and International Initiatives

FY08 Supplemental Appropriation Includes $337.5M in Federal Science Funding
In late June President Bush signed the $161.8B supplemental appropriations bill for the current fiscal year, which includes $400M for U.S. science programs originally authorized by the America COMPETES Act.

U of Michigan Bridges "Valley of Death" with New Philanthropic Fund

The University of Michigan's Life Sciences Institute is launching a novel program to shepherd promising biomedical discoveries from the lab bench to the marketplace using philanthropic gifts.

New England Training Entrepreneurs to Capitalize on Clean Energy Sector
This summer, 12 former CEOs with substantial experience in raising venture capital and no particular ties to clean energy will participate in an extensive fellowship program designed to rapidly transition them into a leadership role, in order to help grow the cleantech cluster in the New England region.

Princeton Gets $100M Pledge for Global Warming Research

Gerhard R. Andlinger, an investment manager, has pledged $100-million to Princeton University's School of Engineering and Applied Science to stimulate research and education on efforts to prevent global warming.

ThirdBiotech to Promote Formation and Growth of Arizona-Based Biotech Companies

ThirdBiotech Inc., a biotechnology incubator and life sciences association, today announced that it has launched the ThirdBiotech Research Group including a drug discovery research institute and technology incubator for the promotion of collaborative activities between researchers and industry for the formation of biotechnology companies in Arizona.

U.S. Senate Bill Introduced to Create National Innovation Council

The creation of a single organization to consolidate federal innovation investments moved a small step closer to reality with the introduction of authorizing legislation (S. 3078) in the U.S. Senate on June 3.

Pennsylvania Commits $650M for Alternative Energy Package
In early July Pennsylvania Gov. Edward Rendell signed a $650M package to spur the development and use of clean energy technologies within the state, including $40M for an alternative energy development supporting early-stage research, incubator support services and other business assistance.

Michigan Enacts $45M Centers of Energy Excellence Program
Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm recently signed legislation creating Centers of Energy Excellence, a program designed to bring companies, academic institutions, and the state together to create jobs in alternative and advanced energy.

U.K. Makes Itself More Attractive to Drug Developers

A string of U.K. academic health science centers will combine academic medical research departments and teaching hospitals (copying a structure in the U.S. that has benefited researchers) in order to make the country a more attractive place for drug developers.

Berlin Commits $250M for Star Faculty Recruitment at Research Institutions

Over the next four years, the city of Berlin will spend $250M to recruit star faculty to its four research universities and four private research institutions, as part of the Berlin International Forum for Excellence, intended to strengthen the competitiveness of the region's scientific assets in promising fields of research.

The Changing Face of Innovation

Today's innovation is not your father's-or your grandfather's-innovation, according to a new study sponsored by the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation. "Where Do Innovations Come From? Transformations in the U.S. National Innovation System, 1976-2006" (PDF) analyzes forty years of data from R&D Magazine, which has annually ranked its top 100 innovations since 1976.

Building Businesses

Turning university research into products takes time, money, and initiative as four nanotechnology companies' experiences show. Via Chemical & Engineering News, the magazine of the American Chemical Society.