NIST issues Notice of Intent to fund new manufacturing innovation institutes

The U.S. Commerce Department’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Washington, D.C., has issued a Notice of Intent to fund up to two institutes as part of the National Network for Manufacturing Innovation (NNMI). The Commerce Department will provide up to $70 million per institute over five to seven years. Commerce funding must be matched by private and other nonfederal sources. The institutes are expected to become self-sustainable within the time period of the award.

“The collaborative, cutting-edge technologies being designed, developed, and commercialized at our NNMI institutes are essential to America’s long-term economic growth, competitiveness, and job creation,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker. “Our new institutes will build on the success of the existing seven, and for the first time, the topic areas have not been chosen in advance but will depend on industry interests and input. Together, our growing network of institutes will ensure America remains on the leading edge of the 21st century economy.”

“Each institute serves as a regional hub of manufacturing excellence, providing the innovation infrastructure to reinforce the competitiveness of the U.S. manufacturing sector as a whole,” said Undersecretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and NIST Director Willie E. May.

NIST is open to receiving proposals in any topic of interest to industry, particularly those relevant to manufacturing robotics and biopharmaceutical manufacturing. These two subject areas were identified by the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) Advanced Manufacturing Partnership as technology areas critical to supporting national needs.