BELLINGHAM, Wa., 12 July 2008. A Department of Defense (DoD) Supplemental Spending bill for fiscal year 2008 signed by President Bush on 30 June replaces some funding lost late last year for agencies targeted by the America Competes Act of 2007.
Goals of the America Competes (Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education, and Science) Act are to ensure innovation leadership by strengthening scientific education and research, improving technological enterprise, attracting a talented workforce, and providing progressive job training, according to an SPIE representative.
SPIE members and leadership have been working with scientific and engineering societies and industry and Congressional leaders in advocating for healthy budgets for science and engineering research and education.
The Engineering R&D Symposium on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, convened leaders of the U.S. engineering community to discuss science and technology priorities.
SPIE cosponsored the symposium, held in conjunction with the National Academy of Engineering Convocation and American Association of Engineering Societies awards dinner.
