ATP EFFECTIVE IN ADVANCING RISKY TECHNOLOGY, REPORT SAYS

Comprehensive 2-year report on Commerce Dept.’s controversial Advanced Technologies Program (ATP) released Wed. said ATP had been highly effective in its goal of accelerating development of high-risk technological innovations. Report, sponsored by National Research Council (NRC), came after Bush Administration officials had voiced doubts about focus and merits of R&D program. Administration’s FY 2002 budget would provide $13 million to support current ATP commitments and suspend granting of new awards pending Commerce Dept. investigation into program. ATP had received $146 million for FY 2001.

ATP builds bridges that allow high-risk technology to navigate safely over “Valley of Death” that many inventions can fall into, Harvard U. professor Lewis Branscomb said Thurs. at House Environment, Technology and Standards Subcommittee hearing on future of ATP. “From its creation in 1988, the ATP has undoubtedly been the most extensively evaluated technology program over the past decade,” Subcommittee Chmn. Ehlers (R-Mich.) said. Critics of program have suggested ATP funding be deferred to others that would stimulate broad technological development instead of just grant “winners.”

Some critics believe “company incentives, such as tax breaks, would have a better impact on [on high-risk technology],” Rep. Morella (R-Md.) said. Concern over dissolving ATP doesn’t center on actual grant money, said Branscomb, who has written book on managing high-tech risks. NRC report said ATP award winners were more likely to receive funding from external sources to fully develop their innovation. Private companies tend to put more trust in risky project if ATP has awarded grant to that effort, Branscomb said. Without ATP, “there’s no way to get [private] money invested [in high-risk inventions],” he said, “it’s too hard for companies to gain confidence in markets that don’t exist yet.”