This session examined the role that various government agencies can play in stimulating or inhibiting the growth of the neurotechnology industry. Topics covered include the approval process, reimbursement, oversight, legal issues, and funding opportunities.

Joe Pancrazio from the National Institutes of Health told entrepreneurs to focus on a specific indication and depending on the indication choose one of the 27 NIH institutes, rather than looking for multiple applications of a technology. He also gave an overview of the NIH neuroprosthetics program whose goal is to make it possible for paralyzed individuals to stand and feel balance. He suggested that bladder and bowl control are also important areas of funding.

Gail Schechter of BioIntelligence gave an excellent presentation on best practices in grant writing. She works with companies to ensure that the company staff and scientific advisors work together to prepare documents. Key points: make a case for salaries, equipment, scientific validation of proposed technology, expert feedback to point out both strengths and weakness, and unmet market opportunity are key areas to focus on. Gail's great poem on how grants can make you soar got a well deserved laugh. For more on strategic grant planning contact Gail at Biointelligence.