Companies keen on product development will likely get a boost from the compromise version of the stimulus bill that the House was set to vote on Friday. There are billions of dollars for government research grants and millions for construction of research buildings. The final legislation did pull back in areas such as agriculture. Here are the highlights, according to Inside Higher Ed:
- National Science Foundation: $3 billion, including $2.5 billion for research, $400 million for infrastructure and $100 million for education.
- National Institutes of Health: $10 billion, including $8.5 billion for research and $1.5 billion for university research facilities.
- National Institute of Standards and Technology: $180 million for competitive grants for research building construction.
- Energy Department: $2 billion for research, including $1.6 billion for Office of Science, $400 million for Advanced Research Project Agency-Energy; no money for infrastructure.
For a perspective on what the funds could mean for research, read or listen to this NPR report. Another view comes from a blog at The Scientist under the headline, “NIH wins stimulus jackpot.” Because there are so many versions of the bill, read it here in PDF format.
About Joel Rothman
Joel B. Rothman represents clients in intellectual property infringement litigation involving patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, defamation, trade libel, unfair competition, unfair and deceptive trade practices, and commercial matters. Joel’s litigation practice also includes significant focus on electronic discovery issues such as e-discovery management and motion practice relating to e-discovery.
