The National Science Foundation is recognizing the importance of biotechnology

National Science Foundation Advanced Technological Education (ATE) program tidbits.

1.  Capitol Hill Biotechnology Briefing - Dr. Fletcher from InnovATEBIO represented the biotech education community in a presentation for congressional staff.

On March 11, OLPA hosted a panel event for congressional staff titled "NSF Powering the Future of Biotechnology." The event was moderated by BIO Assistant Director Joanne Tornow and featured NSF-funded researchers Lydia Contreras, The University of Texas at Austin; John Peters, Washington State University; Krishnendu Roy, lead principal investigator for the NSF Engineering Research Center for Cell Manufacturing Technologies at Georgia Tech; and Linnea Fletcher, lead principal investigator for InnovATEBIO at Austin Community College. The panel also included Jason Kelly, SBIR-funded entrepreneur and CEO of Gingko Bioworks. Panelists discussed the cutting-edge research, workforce development and possibilities promised by the future of biotechnology.

2.  A large fraction of the biotechnology-related ATE grants, submitted in October 2020, are likely to be funded this year. If you are planning to write a biotech or bioscience focused ATE grant, be sure you contact us.  We can save you some time and help make sure your grant-goals are in line with those of the NSF ATE program.

3.  This year's ASMCUE conference will include an NSF grant writing pre-conference workshop (June 25th, 2021), with an emphasis on ATE grants.  Space is limited so register soon to make sure you get a spot.

4.  The 2021 ATE solicitation is not online yet, but when it's available, you'll find it here:  Advanced Technological Education (ATE).