BECON MEETING MINUTES

BECON MEETING – June 19, 2002

Public Minutes

The Bioengineering Consortium (BECON) met from 3 to 5 PM on Wednesday, June 19, in Room 151 of Building 1 on the NIH Main Campus in Bethesda, Maryland. The following text provides the minutes for this meeting.

NSF Staff Member – Dr. Ron Rardin of the National Science Foundation (NSF) was introduced by Dr. Bruce Hamilton (NSF). He is currently involved with NSF efforts concerning engineered health care and delivery.

Status of BECON-Coordinated Awards – A one-page summary of BECON-coordinated awards (BRG’s, BRP’s, K-25’s, and SBIR’s) for FY’s 1999 through 2002 was distributed.

BECON 2002 Symposium – The BDECON 2002 Symposium on sensors is scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, June 24 and 25. Plans are complete, and about 460 people had registered to date. More than 500 attendees are expected at the actual meeting. The “Federal Funding Opportunities for Sensor Research” session scheduled for Tuesday afternoon is complete and will feature six presentations from NIH IC’s and BECON. Registration is available at the door on Monday morning.

BECON 2003 Symposium – Formal planning for the BECON 2003 symposium will begin during the week of June 24.

BECON Program Announcements – Two BECON program announcements are ready for release in the near future – a new nanotechnology SBIR announcement and a new K-25 announcement.

BECON Web site – A subcommittee has been formed to review the BECON Web site and make recommendations concerning structure, content, and maintenance.

Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Solicitations – Discussion was held concerning BECON involvment in nanotechnology emphasis at the NIH. Considering the visibility of the National Nanotechnology Initiative, the amount of money spent at the NIH for nanotechnology research, and the emphasis on nanotechnology by other Federal agencies, the need for specific trans-NIH initiatives aimed at encouraging and supporting nanotechnology research applied to biology and medicine was discussed.

BECON Role in the Context of the NIBIB – Most of the BECON meeting was aimed at discussing the role of the BECON since the NIBIB has been established. The NIBIB administers the BECON and participate as a NIH institute in Consortium activities and initiatives.

Next BECON Meeting - The July BECON Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, July 17, from 3 to 5 PM in Room 151 of Building 1. A preliminary agenda will be available about a week before the meeting.