A Review of the New Initiatives at the NASA Ames Research Center

The NASA Ames Research Center, located in the heart of Silicon Valley, is one of NASA’s premier research centers. Designated as the NASA Center of Excellence for Information Technology, Ames is also the leading center of activity for NASA’s innovative program in astrobiology and has long established expertise in aeronautics research. NASA’s primary objective is to extend and deepen the research and development capabilities of Ames through R&D partnerships with industry, universities, and other entities. The NASA strategy for Ames includes several distinct but related initiatives: the development of a Science and Technology Park; the development of major partnerships with two leading universities (UC Santa Cruz and Carnegie Mellon); the integration of SBIR grants with a planned on-site incubator; and the possible implementation of a new venturing program.

Based in part on the STEP work with Sandia National Laboratories, Dan Goldin, the NASA Administrator, asked STEP to convene government officials, leading industrialists, and academic experts to review the Ames initiatives. After a series of preliminary meetings, the conference took place at Ames on 14 April 2000. The agenda and participants list are available below. The conference report, including papers by Professors David Audretsch of Indiana University and Michael Luger of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill summarizes the goals and challenges facing this multifaceted initiative.

Meetings:

The New Initiatives at NASA Ames Research Center: A Review (April 14, 2000)

Joint STEP Board/GIP Steering Committee Visit to NASA Ames Research Center (January 14, 2000)

For additional information, please contact McAlister Clabaugh at 202-334-1529 or at mclabaug@nas.edu