Innovation is the engine that drives economic growth.  In the Twenty First Century, technology development and engineering innovation will be increasingly critical to U.S. competitiveness in the global economy.  The global market is growing more integrated and more competitive, with strong new entrants around the world in many high technology industries previously dominated by U.S. enterprise.

The challenges facing our nation in responding to globalization of the economy, while providing for our defense, education, environmental protection, and public health and safety, all address the same goal: improving the quality of life for all citizens.  The capacity for innovation – the creation of new products and processes – will play a dominant and decisive role in meeting that goal.  Innovation results from the transformation of scientific knowledge, through engineering research and technology development into products and processes for the marketplace.  Accompanying technology development and the reduction to standards practice, is the promulgation of technical standards that ensure the quality and safety, as well as the marketability of these new products.

POLICY OBJECTIVES:

• Institute public policies that encourage investment in innovation.
• Provide adequate public and private investment for both engineering and scientific Research and Development.
• Promote a system of standards and conformity assessment procedures that facilitates the transfer and commercialization of innovative technological advances.
• Facilitate partnerships that link R&D performers and users.
• Create and support life-long education initiatives that provide employees and their employers with the tools needed to compete in the global economy.