Public promotion of innovative engineering and technology

Innovative technology based on scientific progress is recognized as an important factor in national economies. In times of slow growth and recessions, municipal, state legislatures and administrations are increasingly turning to engineering entrepreneurs and innovative businesses for renewed growth. Measures range from administrative and financial services to tax incentives and subsidies. The author describes a number of actual programs and discusses and evaluates the instruments used. The author discusses the expectations, national science progams, external factors, country programs (France, Great Britain, Germany, Japan, USA), education, basic research, large projects, technology procurement and transfer, and small industry