Program Design, Evaluation and Implementation Support

Project: Analyzing the Economic Impact of CTI

Client: Competitive Technologies, Inc. (CTI)

Battelle served as a member of a review panel to evaluate CTI’s organizational strategy and its appropriateness for the future. CTI has historically served as the technology commercialization agent for a number of American universities.

Project: Alternative Models of State/University/Industry Cooperative Research Centers

Client: The Delaware Development Office

In 1995, Delaware passed legislation creating an Advanced Technology Centers (ATC) program and establishing the Delaware Science and Technology Council, an industry board created to oversee the program. The Delaware Development Office contracted with Battelle to provide technical advice on the design and implementation of the ATC program and to provide information on best practices from similar programs around the country. Battelle staff researched alternative models of state/university/industry cooperative research centers, identified key design issues for consideration of the Council, and helped draft a strategic plan for the ATC. Battelle also advised the Council on defining in-kind contributions, the development of an intellectual property policy and performance measures, and approaches to addressing conflict of interest.

Project: Finland Technology Center (VTT)

Client: Finland National Technology Agency

Battelle reviewed and assessed the operations of the Chemical Technology Unit of Finland’s National Technology Agency. Battelle provided recommendations to improve relationships with industry and higher education institutions as well as international organizations.

Project: Assessing Maine's Science and Technology Portfolio

Client: Maine Science and Technology Foundation (MSTF)

Battelle assisted MSTF in developing a methodology to evaluate Maine’s portfolio of science and technology investments. Battelle interviewed key state policymakers and program directors and provided guidance in developing the methodology. The State undertook a five-year evaluation of its R&D and commercialization investments that is currently ongoing.

Project: Recommendations for Implementing TEDCO

Client: The Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development

In 1998, the Maryland legislature passed a bill creating the Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO). The Department of Business and Economic Development engaged Battelle to profile alternative models of statewide technology development programs, to review Maryland’s existing structure for administering its technology programs, and to recommend options for implementing TEDCO. TEDCO began operations in 1999. Since that time, Battelle has continued to provide implementation assistance. Battelle has prepared several issue papers, assisted in the development of evaluation measures, and served as evaluator for two federally funded TEDCO initiatives: the Maryland Technology Partnership Initiative, a National Science Foundation Innovation Partnerships program, and the Maryland Minority Small Business Innovation Research Initiative.

Project: Technology Partnerships: Benchmarking The Ohio State University and Its Peer Institutions

Client: The Ohio State University (OSU)

The Ohio State University engaged Battelle to complete an assessment of leading-edge approaches to partnering with industry. Battelle examined the best practices of Big Ten schools and the nation’s top 20 research universities. Approaches analyzed included technology transfer, seed capital, technology commercialization, access to equipment and facilities, industrial outreach, and industry contracting. The project also included an assessment of current practices at The Ohio State University. Based on this analytical approach, Battelle developed recommendations for improvement, based on best practices. OSU actively implemented the recommendations of the study.

Project: Restructuring Ohio State University's Industry Partnerships

Client: The Ohio State University (OSU) Extension

The OSU Extension engaged Battelle to provide an assessment of the overall economic impact of OSU Extension on the State of Ohio, and to illustrate the specific ways in which OSU Extension brings benefits to the state and its communities. Economic impact is measured in terms of monetary and employment benefits generated, both directly and indirectly, by the operations of OSU Extension. In addition, the impact assessment highlights the additional economic benefits that occur through various Extension-related mechanisms, including: implementation of technical and practice innovations, technology transfer, workforce development, distance education, youth and family development, and community development.

Project: Oklahoma Technology Commercialization Center

Client: Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST).

Battelle conducted a performance review for OCAST of the Oklahoma Technology Development Corporation (OTDC). Specifically, Battelle reviewed background data and information provided by OCAST on the performance of OTDC; participated in an on-site review of OTDC; and conducted interviews with staff, clients, and stakeholders of the corporation. An assessment of the performance of OTDC was provided in addition to recommendations for changes that would be appropriate based on the review findings.

Project: An Economic Impact Assessment of the Nebraska Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources

Client: Nebraska Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources

Battelle was engaged to provide an assessment of the University of Nebraska’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources overall economic impact on the State of Nebraska, and to illustrate the specific ways in which the Institute brings benefits to the state and its communities. Specifically, the economic impact of the Institute was measured in terms of monetary and employment benefits generated, both directly and indirectly by the Institute's operations. In addition, the impact assessment highlighted the additional economic and social benefits that occur through various Institute-related mechanisms, including: research; technical and practice innovations; technology transfer; workforce and practitioner development; family development, youth development, and community development.

Project: SOTA TEC’s First Decade: Observations and Findings

Client: The Blandin Foundation

The Blandin Foundation engaged Battelle to assist SOTA TEC in developing an assessment that was designed to chart the history and progress of this pilot program, its organization, and to gather both outcome and impact information. An innovative non-profit intermediary supported for a decade by Blandin, this assessment reviewed its impact on the University of Minnesota in technology transfer, formation of startup firms in Minnesota, and made recommendations for creation of a SOTA TEC II for the future.

Project: Analyzing the Economic Impact of CIT

Client: Virginia’s Center for Innovative Technology (CIT)

CIT contracted with Battelle to examine the economic impact of previous efforts in order to determine CIT’s success. This review covered FY1988 through FY1994, a time period during which significant shifts in programs and overall purpose occurred. The overall impact of CIT’s programs was estimated through the analysis of data collected from a survey of CIT’s clients. Data were collected for several measures of economic impact, including employment and payroll, funds leveraged, sales, capital investment, efficiencies, and royalties and licenses. In addition, information regarding client satisfaction was collected. Battelle provided CIT with an assessment of impact by program, as well as programmatic recommendations.