In this issue: New Homeland Security Institute Hosts Interdisciplinary Research UPitt/UMass Amherst Team Wins NSF I/U CRC Science & Technology Roadmap Underway MA Tech Associations Add Value and Exposure Campus Hones Tech Entrepreneurial Focus RTA Here to Stay Microsoft Announces Fall RFPs

With start of the 2003-2004 academic year, the UMass Amherst research community moves into an environment marked by significant opportunities for funding, partnerships, and high-profile accomplishments. This issue of ILED Access highlights some of the most notable, with resources and links for learning more.

As always, please contact us with your questions and feedback.

New Homeland Security Institute Hosts Interdisciplinary Research

The UMass Amherst Security, Emergency Preparedness, and Response Institute (SEPRI) was formally established last month by the Vice Chancellor for Research. SEPRI is the vehicle for coordinating, focusing, and driving homeland security related research and service programs at UMass Amherst and its partner organizations. Initially known as the Center for Emergency Preparedness (CEP), SEPRI is actively partnering with industry, other universities, and government agencies to establish its service and research agenda.

SEPRI is led by an Executive Board - provost, vice provosts, and deans, and an interdisciplinary Faculty Leadership Group represented by members in Computer Science, Chemistry, Polymer Science, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Psychology, Nursing, and Public Health. Peter Hilton is SEPRI Coordinator.

In addition, UMass Amherst Chancellor John Lombardi, as the incoming chairman of the Consortium of New England Land Grant Universities, recently hosted the group's meeting in Amherst where the consortium voted to jointly create a New England institute for homeland security. Peter Hilton is coordinating that effort at the Chancellor's request, with a proposal for the presidents due this month.

Contact Peter Hilton about SEPRI

	UPitt/UMass Amherst Team Wins NSF I/U CRC
A team of University of Pittsburgh and UMass Amherst researchers have received an NSF award for an Industry/University Collaborative Research Center (I/U CRC). Led by Professor Janis Terpenny (Mechanical & Industrial Engineering), UMass Amherst, and Professor Bart Nnaji (Industrial Engineering), UPitt, the Center for eDesign and Realization of Engineered Products and Systems will be a global resource for technology, research, education and innovation in the area of collaborative, distributed IT-enabled engineering design. The project team considers the quality of industry investment and collaboration crucial to the long-term success of the center. The project already has 16 companies, including manufacturing innovators like GE, Ford, Raytheon, BAE Systems, Parametric Technologies (PTC), Pratt & Whitney, and IBM, many of which have strategic partnerships with UMass Amherst managed by ILED. Keep up to date on the Center for eDesign

	Science & Technology Roadmap Underway
This fall the campus will participate in the first-of-its- kind statewide Science & Technology Roadmap project which will identify strategic industry/university alliances and science and technology areas worthy of future state investment to produce economic growth. The study is being spearheaded by Mass Insight, a public-private advocacy organization, and executed by the Technology Partnership Practice of Battelle Memorial Institute. The Research Executive Area has been working with key administrators and researchers to ensure comprehensive coverage for our campus in this study. Battelle is already familiar with much of our campus and our region from previous work commissioned for the Regional Technology Alliance project, a forerunner of the Roadmap study. There are indications that the Commonwealth may be ready to fund Roadmap recommendations. The House has passed a $110 million landmark initiative by Speaker Finneran to fund S&T programs and a Joint House and Senate S&T Caucus is building political support for tech- based economic development investments by the State. Learn more about the S&T Initiative

	MA Tech Associations Add Value and Exposure
Massachusetts is the home to several technology associations representing the business interests of its members. Hundreds of Massachusetts companies provide input to policy agendas and industry forecasts, facilitate and host conferences, and promote industry networking. The UMass System belongs to many of the associations because, among other reasons, it provides access to key businesses and their leaders. As a member of the UMass System, faculty and staff are entitled to reduced admission costs to their events. You are also encouraged to participate in association committees - giving you, your research, and UMass Amherst priceless visibility with our state's industry leaders. ILED can help you navigate the different associations. The organizations include: Mass Telecommunications Council (www.masstel.org) Mass Medic (Medical Devices Council) (www.massmedic.org ) Environmental Business Council (www.ebc-ne.org) Mass Insight ( www.massinsight.com) Mass Technology Collaborative (www.masstech.org ) In addition, UMass representatives are always welcome at events sponsored by: Mass Software and Internet Council (www.swcouncil.org ) Mass High Tech Council (www.mhtc.org) New England Business and Technology Association (www.nebata.org) Get involved with the MA Tech Assns

	Campus Hones Tech Entrepreneurial Focus
Isenberg Professors Soren Bisgaard and Mike Malone recently won a $30,000 grant from the National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Alliance (NCIIA) to develop a special two-semester course on integrating technical innovation with entrepreneurial venture planning. A portion of the grant will also support the campus EntreClub for UMass students looking to start and run new businesses. Entrepreneur John Fabel is a co-PI on the grant, too. The NCIIA grant strengthens the Isenberg program's interdisciplinary emphasis. With the integration of engineering, computer science, and physical science majors on project teams for this new course, the program moves closer to realizing its goal of creating a two-semester sequence in the field. The Research Area can facilitate entrepreneurial endeavors

	RTA Here to Stay
The Regional Technology Alliance (RTA) for Western Massachusetts reached a milestone at the end of June when UMass concluded its three-year Partnership for Innovation grant from the NSF. Participating business leaders and UMass are continuing the alliance as the Regional Technology Corporation (RTC) incorporated recently as an affiliate of the Economic Development Council of Western Massachusetts. The RTC is the regional catalyst for growth of tech-based business in Western Mass and provide access to regional industry for faculty. Industry and academic participants are active in three RTC networks: Information Technology, Life Sciences, and Materials and Manufacturing. Network events include presentations by UMass faculty and spotlights on local tech companies. The RTC's website is becoming information central for technology news and events in the Valley. Check out the RTC

	Microsoft Announces Fall RFPs
UMass Amherst has been chosen by Microsoft Research to participate in their latest round of RFPs. UMass faculty are eligible to submit proposals for funding in two areas: Content and Curriculum (for CS), and Learning Sciences and Technology(LST)-ConferenceXP Applications. More than a half-dozen faculty have been funded by Microsoft in recent years. $460,000 is available in the current year for Content and Curriculum. Microsoft Research expects to make unrestricted gifts of approximately $5,000 to $30,000 each. The topic areas of interest include: Programming Fundamentals, Programming Languages, Software Engineering, Information Management, Network-Centric Computing, Operating Systems, Gaming, and Capstone Courses. The submission deadline is Monday, September 22, 2003. Microsoft anticipates making up to 7 LST-ConferenceXP awards in the form of unrestricted gifts in the range of $15,000 to $40,000 each. Topic areas of interest include: Mentoring Experience, Immersive Experience, and Assessment Experience. The submission deadline is Wednesday, October 15, 2003. Since this program provides funds as unrestricted gifts, faculty can apply directly to Microsoft for the funds. For more information on the Microsoft/UMass Amherst partnership and how to position your responses, contact Karen Hayes. Get the Microsoft RFP notice

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