Jeff Bingaman: “I do think one of our weaknesses historically, particularly in recent decades in this country, is although we have done…”

“I do think one of our weaknesses historically, particularly in recent decades in this country, is although we have done reasonably well on basic research, we have not done as well in taking that basic research the next step and getting it to a point where it can be commercialized and manufacturing can occur in this country. The seed funding and the startup funding are the two areas on which the Advanced Technology Program concentrates. It does so in a way which is intended to get the very best results. These programs are peer-reviewed. There is real competition, rigorous peer-reviewed competition in the allocation of this money.”