On Thursday, November 6th NIST MEP held a system-wide webcast to share information about the 2015 MEP budget, various initiatives including MFG Day success, ongoing partnership opportunities and a status of open competitions. To view the webinar recording please click here.

For additional questions, please contact Kari Reidy at kari.reidy@nist.gov or 301-975-4919.

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The Department of Defense/Air Force Research Lab yesterday announced the availability of $110 million (distributed over five years) to support the establishment of an Integrated Phototonics Institute that will advance the state-of-the-art in the design, manufacture, testing, assembly, and packaging of complex photonic integrated circuits that combine a variety of photonic and electronic components to achieve functionality. This end-to-end integrated photonics manufacturing innovation ‘ecosystem’ in the U.S., will include: integrated design tools for efficient simulation and design of integrated photonic circuits, domestic photonic device fabrication foundry access, automated packaging, assembly and test of integrated photonic circuits, and workforce development.

Activities under this opportunity will enable universities and small-to-medium enterprises to participate in the integrated photonics revolution. The first step in the application process is the submission of a concept paper which must contain an “Educational & Workforce Development Plan.” The concept paper is due December 19, 2014; the full proposal is due by March 31, 2015.

For more details regarding this announcement, please click here. (A copy of the funding opportunity will be downloaded to your computer). If you have any questions, please contact Ben Vickery at ben.vickery@nist.gov.

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Iowa State University CIRAS Vacancy Announcement: Finance & Strategic Projects Manager

Iowa State University CIRAS, the MEP Center for Iowa, is seeking a Finance & Strategic Projects Manager to manage complex university center finances with several sources of funding, internal and external contractual partners, and nearly 40 professional staff. Click here to learn more.

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Report to the President: Accelerating U.S. Advanced Manufacturing
Executive Office of the President - President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology

A new report from the President’s Council of Advisors in Science and Technology says investments in strategic technologies and multi-agency initiatives to increase U.S. advanced manufacturing capabilities are necessary. The Advanced Manufacturing Partnership (AMP) Steering Committee “2.0” is a cross-sector, national effort to secure US leadership in emerging technologies that create high-quality manufacturing jobs and enhance the nation’s competitiveness. The committee released its second and final AMP report, Accelerating U.S. Advanced Manufacturing, as part of the White House’s rollout of new actions and initiatives intended to strengthen U.S. manufacturing.  The committee’s recommendations focus on enabling innovation, securing the talent pipeline, and improving the nation’s business climate.   

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November 12, 2014
Reshoring and the Total Cost of Ownership System

Learn why reshoring and the creation of regional supply chains are on the rise. See how businesses can make better sourcing decisions with a Total Cost of Ownership (or TCO) analysis. Hosted by NEPIRC, these sessions will also provide you with information about the supplier scouting assistance available when you reshore and about the new Reshore2PA website, a platform for connecting manufacturers that want to reshore with capable Pennsylvania suppliers. Click on the links below for more information about the sessions.

Erie, PA: November 12
Towanda, PA: November 18
Pottsville, PA: December 5
Williamsport, PA: December 12

For more information,contact Colleen Reardon at colleen@nepirc.com.

UPDATE! November 12, 2014
Collaborative Robots in Manufacturing Innovation Web Conference

As you’d expect, the world of robotics is quickly evolving with new technologies and applications positively impacting speed, quality, energy efficiency, and operational costs for many industries.  In food processing and manufacturing, emerging robotics technologies offer particularly exciting production applications that didn’t previously exist.
Join us on November 12th for a live web discussion that explores this timely subject with use-cases, ROI metrics and application examples, showcasing today’s latest robotics innovations. Hear from leading robotics and tax incentives experts.
Specifically:

• Upstream and downstream applications -  today’s mobile and self-adjusting technologies can adapt to variable conditions and changing materials
• Inside fast-paced production lines – new smaller, cheaper robots can be layered in multiple arrays in a single location in order to handle fast moving materials or packaging

Web Conference details: 10:00AM to 12:00PM PST. Click here to register.

For more questions,contact Laura Cox at laura.cox@etaccelerator.com.

New!!! November 17, 2014
DigiFab Con, Baltimore MD

DigiFab Con is an interactive, informative, fun, creative, experiential event from Fab Labs and local chapters of SME, the Society of Manufacturing Engineers. Dialogue with industry leaders, interactive presentations & demonstrations, panel discussions, and live examples of putting digital fabrication to work combine during 1 full day to let you explore how 3D Printing and other Digital Fabrication technologies impact innovation, education, job training, startup creation, and manufacturing improvements. Click here for more information.

The Hudson Valley Technology Development Center and the NYS Pollution Prevention Institute invite Hudson Valley food and beverage producers to participate in a roundtable on business growth through sustainability. Learn about programs supporting the food business, hear from top New York State food processors, network with your peers, and discuss industry opportunities. Topics of discussion will include: growth, waste reduction, business expansion, and much more. If you are a food processor, farmer, baker, distiller, or brewer, you are the perfect fit for this roundtable event that includes a complimentary breakfast featuring Crown Maple’s pure maple syrup. Click here to register.

For more information,contact Phyllis Levine at phyllis.levine@hvtdc.org.com.

Are you prepared to respond to the urgent need to work with the dramatic number of companies that will change ownership in the next 5-10 years? Family Business Advisors bring focus and helps owners realize successful transitions, business growth and innovation. This program can expand your market and easily move you to C-Level conversations about long-term growth.

The Family Business Advisor Certification Program will be offered in Nashville, directly following the MEP Update Meeting. The program will be delivered by Lisë Stewart of the Galliard Family Business Advisor Institute on November 20 and 21. Certification cost for the two-day training is $1,695. Questions or for further information contact lstewart@galliardgroup.com or go to the Galliard Group website to learn more and register.

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