The U.S. Commerce Department’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) today awarded a total of $50 million in grants to five institutions to support the construction of new scientific research facilities that will explore everything from nanometer-scale electronics and “green” buildings to microbe ecosystems in the oceans. The five projects receiving funding under the NIST Construction Grant Program (NCGP) will contribute to almost $133 million in new laboratory construction projects, according to grantees.

“Strengthening research and development in the United States is critical to our ability to create jobs and remain competitive,” U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke said. “These construction grants will help the U.S. produce world-leading research in science and technology that will advance our economic growth and international competitiveness.” The five grants announced today under the Construction Grant Program include:

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Recently, Fareed Zakaria provided a commentary on CNN about the future of U.S. innovation.  He is very concern and feels that the U.S. is slipping in its innovative ways.  What do you think?  Is the U.S. starting to lag behind other countries with regards to innovation?

You can see his commentary here.

Today, President Obama will launch the "Educate to Innovate" campaign, a nationwide effort to help reach the administration's goal of moving American students from the middle of the pack to the front in science and math achievement over the next decade. The President will announce a series of partnerships involving leading companies, universities, foundations, non-profits, and organizations representing millions of scientists, engineers and teachers that will motivate and inspire young people across the country to excel in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

The American Chemical Society (ACS) today commended President Obama for announcing the establishment of National Lab Day, a major new science education initiative designed to increase community-based collaborations between scientists, engineers, teachers and students.   

"We are proud to respond to the President's call to elevate hands-on learning to an entirely new level in this country," said ACS President Thomas H. Lane. "Improving the ability of our young people to excel in science and technology is absolutely essential if we are to compete successfully in the global economy." ...

The webinar will focus on how to protect intellectual assets when both time and money are at a premium, and will discuss early stage agreements that are critical to protecting company knowledge and goodwill.

Scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 19, 2 - 3 p.m. Eastern Time, the webinar will feature Gianna Arnold, principal at Miles & Stockbridge P.C. The webinar's topic is "Navigating the IP landscape: Legal issues entrepreneurs and small business owners need to know."

As a scientist and a law professional, Arnold focuses her legal expertise on helping scientists, entrepreneurs and small/medium business executives learn about the policies, procedures and corresponding agreements needed to protect the intellectual assets of start-up, early stage and mid-sized companies