FOLLOWING THE HOUSE AND SENATE PASSAGE OF THEIR RESPECTIVE SBIR REAUTHORIZATION BILLS (H.R. 2965 & S. 1233), THE SBIR PROGRAM CONTINUES UNABATED UNDER ANOTHER (THE THIRD, OR IS IT THE FOURTH) CONTINUING RESOLUTION (CR). A JOINT HOUSE/SENATE CONFERENCE IS NOW ATTEMPTING TO RECONCILE THE HUGE DISPARITIES BETWEEN THE TWO BILLS, A PROCESS OFTEN COMPARED TO THE PRODUCTION OF SAUSAGE – WHICH SOME FEAR MAY WELL BE THE ULTIMATE OUTCOME. THE CONFEREES HAVE UNTIL SEPTEMBER 30 TO COMPLETE THE RECONCILIATION AND REAUTHORIZATION PROCESS – UNLESS THEY ARE AUTHORIZED TO CONTINUE ON UNDER YET ANOTHER CR.

In regions around the country, clusters of universities and high-tech companies partner with local and regional governments to boost tech-based economic growth and create good jobs. The two best examples are Silicon Valley, the hotbed of computer technology in northern California, and the metropolitan Boston area connected by Route 128, which is a nexus of biotechnology research and development. For a primer on innovation clusters, see our “Regional Centers of Innovation 101.”

The federal government provides large sums of funding for basic scientific research, and boasts a variety of different programs to help companies and state and local governments prepare executives and workers for employment at young, innovative companies seeking to commercialize this research. But the federal government lacks a comprehensive approach for innovation policy. What’s needed today is a clear-eyed blueprint for developing more innovative clusters around the country that links together federal programs, academic institutions, companies, and local and regional policymakers. In this series, Science Progress will feature bold ideas from innovation experts across the nation for how the Obama administration can develop an effective innovation policy that creates jobs, enables economic mobility, enhances science, and grows the county’s competitiveness.