Correspondence: Andrew S. Klein, Economist – Impact Assessment Office, Technology Innovation Program (TIP), National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Drive, MS 4730, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-4730, USA. E-mail: andrew.klein@nist.gov

¹is an economist with the National Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST) Technology Innovation Program (TIP). Formerly a project manager and economist with the Advanced Technology Program for over 14 years, Mr Klein specialises in business development within the biotechnology industry. Educated at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and Johns Hopkins University, Mr Klein brings a unique perspective and 20 years of business development experience to the biotechnology industry and to NIST.

²is currently a Senior Biochemist and Project Manager in the Project Management Office within the Technology Innovation Program (TIP) at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). She serves as a technical manager for projects in biosciences and is involved in the development of critical national need interest areas in biosciences. Formerly, a project manager with the Advanced Technology Program for over 10 years, Dr Chapekar brings to NIST unique experience and knowledge in biosciences and biotechnology from her tenure with the FDA and NIH. Dr Chapekar earned her B.Sc. in Chemistry and M.Sc. and PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Mumbai, Mumbai, India.

Received 13 March 2009; Revised 13 March 2009; Published online 21 April 2009.

Abstract

9 August 2007, the US Congress established the Technology Innovation Program (TIP) through the America COMPETES Act, a comprehensive strategy to keep the United States, the most innovative nation in the world, competitive by strengthening scientific education and research, improving technological enterprise, attracting the world's best and brightest workers, and providing twenty-first century job training. The new program, TIP, is located at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in Gaithersburg, MD (www.nist.gov\tip).