Introduction
GAITHERSBURG, Md. – The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has announced an open competition for a new Manufacturing USA institute focused on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to increase the resilience of U.S. manufacturers. The Notice of Funding Opportunity was published today on Grants.gov.
Funding and Objectives
NIST anticipates funding up to $70 million over a five-year period, subject to the availability of federal funds, for the recipient to establish and operate the new institute. The institute will be required to obtain cost-share funds from nonfederal sources.
U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo stated, “AI has enormous potential to make us smarter, faster and more innovative, but we have to work together to maximize its benefits and mitigate its risks.” Through this new AI-focused Manufacturing USA institute, the aim is to leverage AI to enhance manufacturing, empower the workforce, and create secure, resilient supply chains.
Strengthening the Economy
Laurie E. Locascio, Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and NIST Director, remarked, “This new Manufacturing USA institute will strengthen the U.S. economy by helping manufacturers make smart use of AI to boost their productivity and increase their resilience in the face of supply chain disruptions and other unexpected events.” The goal is to review innovative proposals that will help domestic manufacturers maximize the potential of AI.
Collaboration and Focus Areas
The new Manufacturing USA institute will develop cost-effective, AI-based advanced manufacturing capabilities by collaborating with industry, academia, and government. This public-private partnership will integrate expertise in AI, manufacturing, and supply chain networks to promote manufacturing resilience. Proposals can cut across multiple industrial sectors or focus on just one.
Three primary areas of operation will be emphasized: advancing technology development, developing an educated and skilled workforce, and developing shared infrastructure and facilities.
Application Process
All applicants are expected to clearly define their intended outcomes and timelines for delivering them. Proposals must address a compelling U.S. industrial need, demonstrate significant industry buy-in, and avoid duplicating the efforts of existing Manufacturing USA institutes and the planned Department of Commerce-sponsored Digital Twins Institute for Semiconductor Manufacturing.
This competition will have a two-stage application process. Concept papers will be considered in the first stage, and applicants with the best concepts will be invited to submit full proposals in the second stage. The deadline for submitting concept papers is Sept. 30, 2024. Additional deadlines and other important dates are listed in the notice on Grants.gov.
Eligibility and Informational Events
This competition is open to accredited institutions of higher education; U.S.-based nonprofit and for-profit organizations with majority domestic ownership or control; and state, local, U.S. territorial, and Indian tribal governments.
NIST will host an informational webinar and an in-person proposer’s day event focused on this funding opportunity. Dates and locations of these events will be posted on the NIST website.
About Manufacturing USA
Manufacturing USA was created to secure U.S. global leadership in advanced manufacturing through large-scale public-private collaboration on technology, supply chain, and advanced manufacturing workforce development. The network comprises the U.S. Departments of Commerce, Energy, and Defense, their sponsored manufacturing innovation institutes, and six additional federal agency partners, creating a national effort to drive innovation in manufacturing. In 2022, the network worked with over 2,500 member organizations, including more than 1,500, mostly small, manufacturers; collaborated on over 670 applied R&D projects; engaged over 106,000 people in advanced manufacturing workforce development; and generated investments of $416 million in these activities from state, federal, and industry funds.
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