| GAITHERSBURG,
MD (December 18, 2003) - Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. today
announced that the State of Maryland signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) with the Commerce Department’s National
Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The MoU
is designed to increase technology transfer initiatives between
the institute and the State’s small businesses and universities.
The signing took place today during a ceremony at NIST headquarters
in Gaithersburg, Maryland.
“This
agreement opens yet another door for small businesses to learn
about the technologies being created in the federal labs located
in our state,” said Governor Ehrlich. “In order
to position Maryland as a technology leader, we must maximize
the resources we have available in order for technology companies
to grow and thrive.”
Dr. Arden
Bement Jr., Director of NIST said, “We are proud of
the strong ties between NIST and the State of Maryland,”
said Bement. “This agreement fortifies the link and
paves the way for future cooperative ventures that will advance
America’s leadership in science and technology.”
NIST,
an agency of the Commerce Department’s Technology Administration
with a 2003 budget of $864 million, has the unique mission
to develop and promote measurement, standards, and technology
to enhance productivity, facilitate trade, and improve the
quality of life. NIST develops technologies, measurement methods
and standards that help U.S. companies compete in the global
marketplace. Congress created NIST in 1901 at the start of
the industrial revolution to provide the measurement and standards
needed to resolve and prevent disputes over trade and to encourage
standardization. Today NIST has 3,000 employees at two locations:
a 578-acre site in Gaithersburg, Md., and a 208-acre campus
in Boulder, Colo. The agency continues to develop measurements
and standards needed by industry, and also develops technologies
that help our nation remain prosperous.
The MoU
defines that the relationship between NIST and Maryland Technology
Development Corporation (TEDCO) will focus on mutually beneficial
links by identifying activities that will leverage the capabilities
and resources of NIST, Maryland technology-oriented small
businesses and leading institutions of higher education. NIST
will identify technologies that are available for licensing
as well as provide guidance and support on procedures for
submitting a license application.
Aris
Melissaratos, Secretary of the Maryland Department of Business
and Economic Development (DBED) said, “The State of
Maryland understands the importance of federal laboratories
to its technology growth. TEDCO is DBED’s specialized
technology transfer arm and is working on behalf of the agency
to support its overall technology development goals.”
This
agreement is part of the Federal Lab Partnership Program (FLPP).
The program is designed to increase the collaboration between
Maryland companies and federal research laboratories by matching
the labs’ capabilities and technical skills with companies/entrepreneurs
to help them develop technology-based products and services.
Along with the FLPP, TEDCO has several funding programs available
to aid the growth of the high tech industry within the state
of Maryland.
To view
the MOU, click here. (pdf format)
 Go
back to NIST News Page
|
