The Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development is now accepting applications for the new Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (SYEM) cash award program. The program was created by the governor and legislature to provide up to $7500 in cash to new hires to Vermont companies in eligible occupations to help the employee defray the costs of student loans.
An employee may receive $1500 annually for each year of employment for up to five years.
To be eligible:
o An employee must be hired by a qualified employer on or before December 12, 2012;
o Have graduated from an accredited educational institution with an Associate’s Degree or higher;
o Been conferred the degree not more than 18 months before the date of hire by a qualified employer; New hires must apply within 30 days of their start date.
o Be employed by a qualified employer for a position in Vermont that meets the STEM definition and for which the total annual compensation (including the value of benefits including health and dental insurance, FICA payments, company pension and 401(k) contributions and other direct compensation paid to the employee) is $50,000 or greater; and
o Have outstanding student loans with a lending institution.
A list of eligible positions is listed on the application website http://thinkvermont.com . If you feel your position qualifies but is not on the list you may request a review for eligibility. Only positions that pay $50,000 annually in salary and benefits qualify. Benefits includes health and dental insurance, FICA payments, Social Security payments, company pension and 401(k) contributions and other direct compensation paid to the employee.
To apply visit http://thinkvermont.com and click on the STEM link on the homepage. Or you may call Ken Horseman in the Agency of Commerce and Community Development at 802-828-5236. Email ken@thinkvermont.com or ken.horseman@state.vt.us .
by vbsa-rg on July 26, 2011
The Vermont Biosciences Alliance Co-Chair, Kimberly Murray, recently met with Governor Peter Shumlin to discuss the Exit 16 High Tech cluster. This could be an important economic driver for Chittenden county. As anyone who has attended a VBSA event at Albany College of Pharmacy off Exit 16 knows, localizing technology companies in ways that encourage human contact (lunch at Libby’s) and shared resources is a great opportunity supporting development of the Vermont biosciences industry.
The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) announced today its selection of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) as Legislator of the Year for 2010-2011. Senator Leahy received the award as part of the BIO Legislative Day Fly-In.
BIO commends Senator Leahy for his continued efforts, as Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, to protect the unique importance of life science patents. Thanks in large part to his leadership, the U.S. Senate recently overwhelmingly approved consensus-oriented patent reform legislation. If enacted into law, the America Invents Act (S. 23) would strengthen and improve our nation’s patent system by enhancing patent quality and the efficiency, objectivity, predictability, and transparency of the system.
More than 200 biotechnology industry representatives from 32 states will participate in hundreds of meetings with Members of the House and Senate during the BIO Legislative Day Fly-In. Participants will discuss issues critical to the biotechnology industry including patent reform, NIH/ FDA funding, and expanded eligibility for Small Business Innovation Research grants. The award will be presented this evening during a reception at the Reserve Officers Association in Washington, D.C.
BIO represents more than 1,100 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and in more than 30 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of innovative healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products. BIO also produces the BIO International Convention, the world’s largest gathering of the biotechnology industry, along with industry-leading investor and partnering meetings held around the world.
