Human Genome News, January 1994; 5(5)

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Human Genome News, January 1994; 5(5)

NIST ATP Promotes Growth, Competitiveness

Proposals are due in mid-March for the Advanced Technology Program (ATP), begun in 1990 at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to promote economic growth and competitiveness in U.S. business and industry. ATP accelerates the commercialization of promising, high-risk technologies that are unlikely to be developed in time to compete in rapidly changing world markets without such an industry-government partnership. The program funds cooperative research agreements with single businesses or industry-led joint ventures.

Successful applicants share the costs of ATP projects. Awards to individual companies are limited to $2 million over 3 years and can be used only for direct R&D. Awards to joint ventures, which must provide more than 50% of project resources, can be for up to 5 years. ATP will support production of laboratory prototypes and studies of technical feasibility but not product development.

Two independent studies of ATP projects funded in FY 1991 revealed substantial, early beneficial impacts on participating companies. These benefits include expanded R&D activity, cost and time savings, improved competitive standing, formation of valuable strategic business alliances, improved ability to attract investors, assistance in converting from defense to commercial applications, and acceleration of technology development. The ATP program has received broad public support from major trade associations, professional societies, and high-technology companies.

Essential ATP Features

Projects selected through a fair and rigorous competition. Criteria include potential for U.S. economic benefit, technical and business merit, strong industry commitment, and the opportunity for ATP funds to make a significant difference.
Direct support to for-profit companies of all sizes.
Broad mission to promote large economic benefits for the nation. The ATP legislative mandate, which offers tremendous scope, is to promote rapid commercialization of new scientific discoveries and refine manufacturing practices.
Market oriented. Industry conceives, manages, and executes ATP projects in response to its analysis of market opportunities.
ATP performance monitored and evaluated according to its comprehensive plan.

For guidelines and more information, contact ATP at NIST; A430 Administration Building; Gaithersburg, MD 20899-0001 (800/287-3863, Fax: 301/926-9524, Internet: atp@micf.nist.gov).

HGMIS Staff

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Human Genome Program, U.S. Department of Energy, Human Genome News (v5n5).

Human Genome Project 1990–2003

The Human Genome Project (HGP) was an international 13-year effort, 1990 to 2003. Primary goals were to discover the complete set of human genes and make them accessible for further biological study, and determine the complete sequence of DNA bases in the human genome. See Timeline for more HGP history.