NIST to Fund Two New Manufacturing Innovation Institutes
The U.S. Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) plans to fund up to two new institutes within the National Network for Manufacturing Innovation (NNMI). NIST's solicitation will be the first in which the funding agency has not predetermined the industry of focus for the institute, however, the agency is particularly interested in topics deemed critical by the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) Advanced Manufacturing Partnership. These include manufacturing robotics and biopharmaceutical manufacturing. NIST plans to release the solicitation for the institutes in January 2016. Designees will receive up to $70 million total over five to seven years. Learn more at: https://www.commerce.gov/news/press-releases/2015/12/nist-issues-notice-intent-fund-new-manufacturing-innovation-institutes.