U.S. Rep. David Price says earmarks can help with the "Valley of Death."
The Chapel Hill Democrat notes that is the nickname for the period between the initial design of new technology and when it is ready for market.
A number of competitive grant programs help researchers and entrepreneurs with a hot new idea, while venture capital and the Pentagon fund products that are ready-to-go. But in between is a tough period, Price said.
"They get that initial research funding, but then there comes an intermediate period two or three or four years out when their product is not ready to be put on the market, but there are still some development costs," he said.
He said the Pentagon does a good job of funding its own equipment needs through the standard procurement process, while earmarks are needed for military research.
Price asked for 22 earmarks worth $87.5 million for military-related researchers in North Carolina — roughly a third of his requests.
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