Advisers to the National on Science, Engineering, and Medicine

The National Academy of Sciences is a private, nonprofit, self-perpetuating society of distinguished scholars engaged in scientific and engineering research, dedicated to the furtherance of science and technology and to their use for the general welfare. Upon the authority of the charter granted to it by the Congress in 1863, the Academy has a mandate that requires it to advise the federal government on scientific and technical matters. Dr. Bruce M. Alberts is president of the National Academy of Sciences.

The National Academy of Engineering was established in 1964, under the charter of the National Academy of Sciences, as a parallel organization of outstanding engineers. It is autonomous in its administration and in the selection of its members, sharing with the National Academy of Sciences the responsibility for advising the federal government. The National Academy of Engineering also sponsors engineering programs aimed at meeting national needs, encourages education and research, and recognizes the superior achievements of engineers. Dr. Wm. A. Wulf is president of the National Academy of Engineering.

The Institute of Medicine was established in 1970 by the National Academy of Sciences to secure the services of eminent members of appropriate professions in the examination of policy matters pertaining to the health of the public. The Institute acts under the responsibility given to the National Academy of Sciences by its congressional charter to be an adviser to the federal government and, upon its own initiative, to identify issues of medical care, research, and education. Dr. Harvey V. Fineberg is president of the Institute of Medicine.

The National Research Council was organized by the National Academy of Sciences in 1916 to associate the broad community of science and technology with the Academy’s purposes of furthering knowledge and advising the federal government. Functioning in accordance with general policies determined by the Academy, the Council has become the principal operating agency of both the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering in providing services to the government, the public, and the scientific and engineering communities. The Council is administered jointly by both Academies and the Institute of Medicine. Dr. Bruce M. Alberts and Dr. Wm. A. Wulf are chair and vice chair, respectively, of the National Research Council.

www.national-academies.org

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Ad hoc Oversight Board for Capitalizing on Science, Technology, and Innovation: An Assessment of the Small Business Innovation Research Program

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This document provides an initial version of the methodological approaches to be taken in the Congressionally-mandated study of the SBIR program at the five agencies accounting for 96 percent of the SBIR program expenditures.¹ The proposed methodology draws extensively on the methodologies developed for the review of the previous NRC assessment of the SBIR at the Department of Defense, SBIR: An Assessment of the Department of Defense Fast Track Initiative. ²

While this previous experience has provided a valuable point of departure, the methodologies proposed here reflect a new effort to determine the best means of assessing the SBIR program. The methodology, developed by the National Academies' Research Team and approved by the Committee, is the result of many months’ work by the Research Team in consultation with private sector participants, congressional staff, and program managers. Indeed, the proposed methodology has benefited from substantial input of senior staff from the five agencies involved in the study. The agency contributions have been particularly important, providing a collegial environment for the analysis of one of the nation’s most significant programs for early-stage finance for small firms. Through the two public symposia and multiple private meetings, agency managers have provided valuable expertise and insights into the diverse goals and operations of the program. Indeed many agency representatives have come to see the study as a useful vehicle for assessing the mechanics and outcomes of their SBIR programs, and as a means of benchmarking their own policies and procedures.

This report has been reviewed in draft form by individuals chosen for their diverse perspectives and technical expertise, in accordance with procedures approved by the NRC's Report Review Committee. The purpose of this independent review is to provide candid and critical comments that will assist the institution in making its published report as sound as possible and to ensure that the report meets institutional standards for objectivity, evidence, and responsiveness to the study charge. The review comments and draft manuscript remain confidential to protect the integrity of the deliberative process.

We wish to thank the following individuals for their review of this report: John Bailar III, University of Chicago; Anthony DeMaria, Coherent DEOS; Irwin Feller, Pennsylvania State University; Fred Gault, Statistics Canada; Mary Good, Venture Capital Investors, LLC; Stephen Kohashi, Department of Housing and Urban Development; Peter Moulton, Q-Peak Inc.; Roger Noll, Stanford University; Maxine Savitz, Honeywell, Inc. (Ret.); Todd Watkins, Lehigh University; Richard Wright, III, National Institute of Standards and Technology (Ret.); and Leo Young, Department of Defense (Ret.).

Although the reviewers listed above have provided many constructive comments and suggestions, they were not asked to endorse the conclusions or recommendations, nor did they see the final draft of the report before its release. The review of this report was overseen by Lewis Branscomb, Harvard University, and Robert White, Carnegie Mellon University. Appointed by the National Research Council, they were responsible for making certain that an independent examination of this report was carried out in accordance with institutional procedures and that all review comments were carefully considered. Responsibility for the final content of this report rests entirely with the authoring committee and the institution.

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