My take on government funding for TDCP -
I've refrained from my 2 cents on this topic because I thought others would explain. I have worked for a government funded laboratory for more than 30 years. So I am speaking from that perspective regarding government funding.
It is too late to obtain funds from the 2014 feds budget. That was decided long ago. So next up is FY2015 which some have noted correctly begins on Oct. 1, 2014. My 30 years of funding budgets shows that sometimes funds are received (for both new and existing projects) as early as Oct. or Nov. Sometimes budgets are not approved and funding received until as late as Feb. or Mar. (this is especially true when there is congressional contention/inaction/stalling on budgets or to put it another way "gridlock"). Doesn't really matter if its an ongoing or new project waiting for funds.
I see two possibilities for TDCP getting funding for their work with Schott. Either Schott will seek to have TDCP added to an existing project (which would possibly be the quickest and easiest way to get funding approved), OR Schott will submit a brand new proposal with TDCP listed as a partner in some capacity or as a subcontractor.
The federal funding process is VERY complex and confusing, especially for "first-timers" as TDCP would have been without Schott. It is also why TDCP has hired Freitag to help them out with this process.
In conclusion, I feel that the odds of TDCP getting some federal funding in FY2015 are very good. That being said, nothing is certain, and even if they do, I would not expect an announcement of funding any sooner than middle to late October. If it was announced, even by then, I would consider them very lucky.
All in all, I've decided to batten down the hatches with TDCP until some announcement does come, even if it is as late as next Feb. or March.
- glta
