State Matching Funds for NSF Partnership Grant

The Foundation will assist In achIeving the goals of the .Strateglc Plan for 1he New Economy" by: providIng Intensive teacher 'professional development activities for secondary math,science, and technology teachers in information t.echnOlogy con~pts, skills, and applications;ensuringsmoothcareer paths for high school students in these programs who transition on to COIl99Q:and increasing the number of secondaryand postsecondary students enroDlng and graduating in science, technology, engineerlng,and math programs who are qualified to work In the knowledge-based economy, The Foundation Alliance will use these grant fundS, In comblnaUon with other grant funds to. support Innovation and commercialiutlan of natural products through five spedflc activities: 1. Hosting entrepreneurship forums thai provide bOth an educatIonal and networking opportunity, . 2. L.inking entrepreneurs to a mentoring network. of experts In buslnass devel.opment, patent application, or obtaining venn,re capital, 3. Funding I'Qsearch grants to advance innovative tadlnologlas towards commercialization, .. 4, Facilitating Internships for students within start-up companies or new proJects within established companies. The Inte~hip 'program exposes studenlS to the Issues and challenges found in new enterprise, builds skills necessary for succ.ess as 31'1 l entr9prenaur, and supports the new project or I19nture through cost-share funds. ' 5, Creating workforce developmentactivitiessuch 85 Universitycurriculaand trainingopportunitiesthat advance1heskills;of students and employeesand help meet Industry needs for a highly-skilled, knowledge-based workl'orce. ..