Founded in 1901, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is a nonregulatory federal agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Technology Administration. NIST’s mission is to promote U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards, and technology in ways that enhance economic security and improve quality of life.

NIST’s fiscal year 2009 resources totaled $1.6 billion. It is based primarily in two locations: Gaithersburg, Maryland (headquarters—578-acre campus), and Boulder, Colorado (208-acre campus). NIST employs about 2,900 scientists, engineers, technicians, business specialists, and administrative personnel. About 2,600 associates and facility users from academia, industry, and other government agencies complement the staff. In addition, NIST partners with 1,600 manufacturing specialists and staff at about 400 Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) affiliated service centers around the country.

NIST laboratories perform research across a wide range of disciplines, affecting virtually every industry. Primary fields of research include chemical science and technology, physics, material science and engineering, electronics and electrical engineering, manufacturing engineering, computer systems, building technology, fire safety, computing, and applied mathematics.

Reflecting its role as the only federal laboratory exclusively dedicated to serving the needs of U.S. industry, NIST offers more than 300 types of calibrations, 1,000 standard reference materials for calibrating instruments and evaluating test methods, 24 standard reference data centers, laboratory accreditation programs, and free evaluation of energy-related inventions.

NIST carries out its mission, in part, through four interwoven programs:

NIST Laboratories conducts research that advances the nation’s technology infrastructure and is needed by U.S. industry to continually improve products and services.

The Baldrige National Quality Program promotes performance excellence among U.S. manufacturers, service companies, educational institutions, health-care providers, and nonprofit organizations. It also conducts outreach programs and manages the annual Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, which recognizes performance excellence and quality achievement.

Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership is a nationwide network of local centers offering technical and business assistance to smaller manufacturers.

The Technology Innovation Program provides cost-shared awards to industry, universities, and consortia for research on potentially revolutionary technologies that address critical national and societal needs. (This is a newly created program authorized by Congress.)

To contact NIST with general inquiries about these or any of its programs, call 301- 975-3058, e-mail [email protected], or visit www.nist.gov.

Grants and awards supporting research at industry, academic, and other institutions are available on a competitive basis through several different NIST offices. For general information on grants programs, contact Joyce Brigham at 301-975-6329.