US NIST initiates $70m competition to use AI to innovate manufacturing

The US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has announced an open competition for a new Manufacturing USA institute focused on the use of AI to increase the resilience of U.S. manufacturers. The Notice of Funding Opportunity is published on Grants.gov.

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

Manufacturing USA is a national network of public-private partnerships accelerating innovation by co-investing in industrially relevant, cross-cutting advanced manufacturing products and processes.

The new Manufacturing USA institute will be expected to 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.

In addition, the new institute is expected to concentrate its efforts on three primary areas of operation: advancing technology development, developing an educated and skilled workforce, and developing shared infrastructure and facilities.

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 of the competition. In the second stage, applicants with the best concepts will be invited to submit full proposals.

The deadline for submitting concept papers is Sept. 30, 2024. Additional deadlines and other important dates are listed in the notice on Grants.gov.

The competition is open to accredited institutions of higher education; U.S.-based organisations 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.