New York's recent investments in high-tech research and development have been strategically crafted and substantial compared to other states', Ed Reinfurt, vice president of The Business Council, told a legislative hearing today.
These R&D investments will help New York compete for increased federal research funding, Reinfurt added. He testified at a joint hearing of the Assembly Task Force on University-Industry Cooperation, the Legislative Commission on Science and Technology, and the Assembly Standing Committee on State-Federal Relations at the Empire State Plaza in Albany.
Reinfurt commended the Assembly for supporting R&D funding.
"The dollars were impressive but the message sent by New York this year to the nation's research community might be more significant," Reinfurt said.
He cited the May 24, 2002 State Science and Technology Institute Weekly Digest, which highlighted New York's investment of $520 million this year. The publication emphasized the support for two university-based research programs that will get $470 million in state funds.
"Most of New York's other [technology-based economic development] initiatives also fared well in the new budget, running counter to the fiscal environment facing TBED in several other states," the publication noted.
For New York to sustain its commitment even in fiscal hard times created by last year's mild recession and the Sept. 11 terrorism "says New York is a believer and is in this for the long haul," Reinfurt noted.
Reinfurt noted that The Business Council has strongly supported a sustained state investment in collaborative high-tech research and development. In 2000, The Council urged a five year,$1 billion state investment in high-tech research in areas of intellectual, technological, and economic promise.
The Council also recommended that any such R&D initiative be a collaborative enterprise involving corporate, university, and industry research labs.
Congress and federal research agencies have identified priorities - including nanotechnology, health initiatives, and counter-terrorism - that closely parallel existing research strengths in New York, Reinfurt noted.
For example, in counter-terrorism, New York's strengths in biotechnology, information technology, and nanotechnology can help develop vaccines, encryption detection technologies, and advanced sensors, he said.
And New York's investments in buildings and equipment complement federal agencies' emphasis on support for research projects.
To better compete federal research dollars, New York must sustain its commitment to multi-institution, multi-disciplinary research, Reinfurt said.
"Progress can best be achieved by more researchers from multiple institutions working collaboratively on that aspect of the science they are best to achieve," Reinfurt said.
By collaborating on advances, New York research institutions "will be able to convince federal funding sources that investments with New York partners are more likely to yield the tangible results."