[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 171 (Wednesday, September 8, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50323-50324]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-19169]


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 Notices
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  Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 171 / Wednesday, September 8, 2021 / 
Notices  

[[Page 50323]]



DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Economic Development Administration


National Advisory Council on Innovation and Entrepreneurship 
(NACIE); Solicitation of Applications

AGENCY: Economic Development Administration, U.S. Department of 
Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of opportunity to apply for membership on the National 
Advisory Council on Innovation and Entrepreneurship (NACIE).

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce (DOC) is currently seeking 
applications for membership on the National Advisory Council on 
Innovation and Entrepreneurship (NACIE). NACIE advises the Secretary of 
Commerce (the Secretary) on matters related to accelerating innovation 
and entrepreneurship, advancing the commercialization of research and 
development, promoting workforce development, and other related 
matters.

DATES: Applications for immediate consideration for membership must be 
received by the Economic Development Administration (EDA) by 5:00 p.m. 
Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on October 25, 2021. EDA will continue to 
accept applications under this notice for two years from the deadline 
to fill any vacancies.

ADDRESSES: Please submit application information by email to 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information, interested 
parties can contact Eric Smith, Director of EDA's Office of Innovation 
and Entrepreneurship at [email protected] or +1 (202) 302-6570.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: An agency within the U.S. Department of 
Commerce (DOC), the Economic Development Administration (EDA) invests 
in communities and supports regional collaboration to create jobs for 
U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term 
sustainable economic growth. The mission of EDA is to lead the federal 
economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing 
the nation's regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. 
Additional information regarding EDA can be found at https://eda.gov/.
    The National Advisory Council on Innovation and Entrepreneurship 
(NACIE)'s establishment is authorized by section 25(c) of the 
Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980, as amended (15 
U.S.C. 3720(c)) and is managed by EDA's Office of Innovation and 
Entrepreneurship (OIE). Additional information regarding OIE can be 
found at https://eda.gov/oie/. Additional information regarding NACIE 
can be found at https://www.eda.gov/oie/nacie/.
    EDA is accepting applications for membership on NACIE for a two-
year term beginning on the date of appointment. Members will be 
selected based on their ability to advise the Secretary on matters 
relating to the acceleration of innovation and the support for and 
expansion of entrepreneurship including but not limited to the matters 
set forth in 15 U.S.C. 3720(b) and:
     Strategies to support geographic diversification and 
growth of America's innovation clusters and technology hubs in regions 
outside of traditional coastal markets;
     the development of federal policy and program 
recommendations, through policy and program vehicles such as the 
American Jobs Plan and the American Rescue Plan, to support economic 
growth, resilience, high-growth entrepreneurship and innovation across 
business sectors and geographies;
     policies that increase equitable access to, and 
representation in, entrepreneurship opportunities by historically 
excluded populations, communities, and geographies;
     insights into opportunities to increase American 
innovation and competitiveness in industries of the future, including 
but not limited to artificial intelligence, biotechnology, advanced 
computing, advanced materials and manufacturing, cybersecurity, and 
clean technology;
     the development and expansion of successful talent and 
workforce development initiatives to create high quality jobs and to 
support American innovation and competitiveness; and
     the identification and promotion of best practices that 
accelerate the commercialization of research and intellectual property.
    NACIE will identify and recommend solutions to issues critical to 
driving the innovation economy, including enabling entrepreneurs and 
firms to successfully access and develop a skilled, globally 
competitive workforce. NACIE will also serve as a vehicle for ongoing 
dialogue with the innovation, entrepreneurship, and workforce 
development communities, including but not limited to business and 
trade associations. The duties of NACIE are solely advisory, and it 
shall report to the Secretary through EDA and the Office of the 
Secretary.
    NACIE members shall be selected in a manner that ensures that NACIE 
is balanced and diverse, including diverse perspectives and expertise 
with regard to innovation, technology commercialization, and related 
capital and talent and workforce development issues. Considerations 
when making appointments will also include geographic diversity; 
diversity in the size of the appointee's company or organization; 
diversity of technology sector; and representation of workers, business 
and industry, academic institutions, nonprofit and nongovernmental 
organizations, and other stakeholders.
    Additional factors which may be considered in the selection of 
NACIE members include each candidate's proven experience in the design, 
creation, or improvement of innovation systems; commercialization of 
research and development; entrepreneurship; business-driven talent 
development that leads to a globally competitive workforce; and the 
creation and growth of innovation- and entrepreneurship-focused 
ecosystems. Members' affiliations may include, but are not limited to, 
successful executive-level business leaders; entrepreneurs; innovators; 
investors; post-secondary education leaders; directors of workforce and 
training organizations; and other experts drawn from industry, 
government, academia, philanthropic foundations with a demonstrated 
track record of research or support of innovation, entrepreneurship, or 
workforce development, and non-

[[Page 50324]]

governmental organizations. Nominees will be evaluated consistent with 
factors specified in this notice and their ability to carry out the 
goals of NACIE.
    Self-nominations will be accepted.
    Appointments will be made without regard to political affiliation.
    Membership. Members shall serve at the discretion of the Secretary. 
Because members will be appointed as experts, members will be 
considered special government employees (SGEs). Members participating 
in NACIE meetings and events will be responsible for their travel, 
living, and other personal expenses. Meetings will be held regularly 
and not less than twice annually, usually in Washington, DC. Members 
are required to attend a majority of NACIE's meetings. For the first 
meeting of the Council, members may be required to arrive one day early 
for onboarding and orientation activities.
    Eligibility. Eligibility for membership is limited to (i) U.S. 
citizens who are not full-time employees of the United States 
government or of a foreign government; (ii) are not required to 
register with the Department of Justice as a foreign agent under the 
Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, and (iii) are not 
federally-registered lobbyists.
    Application Procedure. For consideration, a nominee should submit:
    (1) Name and title of the individual requesting consideration;
    (2) the applicant's personal resume and short bio (fewer than 300 
words);
    (3) a personal statement of interest including an outline of one's 
abilities to advise the Secretary on the matters described above;
    (4) confirmation that the applicant meets all eligibility criteria, 
including a signed affirmative statement that the applicant is:
    (i) A U.S. citizen who is not a full-time employee of the United 
States government or of a foreign government;
    (ii) not required to register with the Department of Justice as a 
foreign agent under the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as 
amended; and
    (iii) not a federally-registered lobbyist; and
    (5) all relevant contact information, including mailing address, 
email address, phone number, and support staff information where 
relevant.
    Applications must be submitted via email to [email protected] with a 
subject line that includes the text ``[NACIEApplication]'' (without 
quotation marks).
    Appointments of members to NACIE will be made by the Secretary.

    Dated: August 31, 2021.
Craig Buerstatte,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Regional Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2021-19169 Filed 9-7-21; 8:45 am]
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