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###### Department of Commerce

###### Economic Development Administration

# 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).

# 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                         *nacie@doc.gov.*

# FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

                        For further information, interested parties can contact Eric Smith, Director of EDA's Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at                         *nacie@doc.gov*                         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-                          ( print 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                     *nacie@doc.gov*                     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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