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6 Funding Chemical Research
Pages 155-170

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From page 155...
... • Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/ STTR) programs have been critically important in translating fundamental chemical research discoveries to final products and processes.
From page 156...
... Rather, it highlights some key funding mechanisms that enable fundamental chemical research to contribute to the chemical economy. 6.1 FEDERAL INVESTMENTS IN CHEMICAL RESEARCH AND EDUCATION Chemistry and related areas of research are funded by a diverse set of federal agencies, from the National Science Foundation (NSF)
From page 157...
... In FY 2021, the estimated federal budget for STEM education was $3.91 billion (Figure 6-2)
From page 158...
... While federal funding discussions in the United States tend to center on individual labs, the past couple of decades have seen a growing discussion around mid- and large-scale collaborative opportunities. All of these different scales of research have played an important role in moving research forward, and chemical research is present at every level to help achieve the goals of all science-funding federal agencies.
From page 159...
... . The workshop was particularly encouraging about the need for mid-scale infrastructure for facilities and instrumentation that would exist to provide collaborative experiences for chemical researchers exploring complex questions.
From page 160...
... at the University of Delaware.4 The COBRE awards are part of a congressionally mandated program of Institutional Development Awards that "build research capacity in states that historically have had low levels of NIH funding."5 NIH's National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences is building out a platform designed to accelerate the development of therapeutics by transforming "chemistry from an individualized craft to a modern, informationbased science."6 While the focus of this platform, known as ASPIRE (A Specialized Platform for Innovative Research Exploration) , is translational biomedical chemistry, the results will include the development of advanced tools in chemical automation and may lead to a greater understanding of reaction mechanisms, reaction kinetics, and biochemical catalysis.
From page 161...
... 6.1.3 SBIR and STTR Programs: Commercializing Fundamental Chemical Research The SBIR and STTR programs encourage small U.S. businesses to engage in federal R&D with the "potential for commercialization.
From page 162...
... STTR program[s] is to support scientific excellence and technological innovation through the investment of Federal research funds in critical American priorities to build a strong national economy."10 Currently, the general criteria for agencies that support SBIR and STTR programs are outlined on the SBA website: Each year, Federal agencies with extramural research and development budgets that exceed $100 million are required to allocate 3.2% (since FY2017)
From page 163...
... For example, SBIR funding is facilitating iptech's advancement of a sustainable and biodegradable thermoset plastic that can be processed and recycled like a thermoplastic and can be used in the production of biodegradable polymer concrete. 6.2 CORPORATE FUNDING OF CHEMICAL RESEARCH Organized and large-scale corporate investments in fundamental chemical research began in the United States in the early 20th century and reached their heyday from the 1950s through the 1990s.
From page 164...
... The decline of fundamental chemical research in corporate laboratories along with the growth of big data, automation, and artificial intelligence is increasing the number of partnerships being formed between universities and companies. These have the potential to drive changes in research and education taking place at academic institutions, as discussed in the next section.
From page 165...
... As noted above, the pharmaceutical industry invests a significant amount in research and is directly reliant on advances in chemical knowledge, or at the very least, dependent on other parts of the chemical industry. 6.2.2 University–Industry Research Partnerships Collaborations between universities and industry provide unique opportunities to advance fundamental research, though negotiating the details of a collaboration can come with challenges.
From page 166...
... 166 THE IMPORTANCE OF CHEMICAL RESEARCH TO THE U.S. ECONOMY TABLE 6-1  Innovating Companies, by Industry: 2015–2017 Industry NAICS Code No.
From page 167...
... . The foundation also provides undergraduate scholarships and grants to chemistry departments to promote experiential opportunities in the chemical sciences and funds a summer laboratory experience for high school students, pairing them with practicing research chemists.14 The foundation has chosen to focus much of its support on small- and mid-size Texas schools and has thus been able to support and attract many minority and first-generation college students to study the chemical sciences.
From page 168...
... Thus, it is a realistic prospect for academic institutions to excite the interest of these philanthropists to provide critical support for infrastructure, innovations, training, and faculty in the pursuit of advancing science and improving society. 6.4 FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS IN SUPPORTING RESEARCH Academic institutions play a central role in the chemical economy.
From page 169...
... This diminishes the opportunities for many talented chemical researchers to use the newest tools, technologies, and instrumentation and prevents trainees from having access to the newest technologies being used in the chemical workforce. Conclusion 6-2: Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR)
From page 170...
... BOX 6-1 Underrecovery of Research Costs by Universities The "underrecovery" of expenses associated with academic research is a serious financial challenge that requires universities to spend a significant amount of money to support the facilities and other infrastructure that their research faculty need. This is true for every academic institution supporting the chemical sciences, from large research institutions to small liberal arts colleges and primarily undergradu ate institutions.


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