Hearings
Weathering the Storm: Reauthorizing the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program
On November 10th, Dr. Scott Weaver, Director, National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program (NWIRP) testified before the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology Subcommittee on Research and Technology to review the activities of NWIRP, including the importance of interagency collaboration.
Additional witnesses included:
- Linda Blevins, Deputy Assistant Director, Directorate for Engineering, National Science Foundation
- Michael Grimm, Assistant Administrator for Risk Management, Federal Emergency Management Agency
You may read a copy of his statement or view the virtual hearing on the Committee’s website.
Recent News
NIST Requests Information to Help Guide Emerging Technologies
On November 22nd, NIST released The Study to Advance a More Productive Tech Economy RFI in the Federal Register. NIST requests information to help guide emerging technologies from the public by January 21, 2022. The RFI seeks input about the public and private sector marketplace trends, supply chain risks, legislative, policy, and the future investment needs of eight emerging technology areas. The study topic areas include Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things in Manufacturing, Quantum Computing, Blockchain Technology, New and Advanced Materials, Unmanned Delivery Services, Internet of Things, and Three-dimensional Printing.
Responses to the request for information will help identify, understand, refine, and guide the development of the current and future state of technology in the eight emerging technology areas named above.
2021 Materials Genome Initiative Strategic Plan Released
The Materials Genome Initiative (MGI) marks its first decade with a new strategic plan. Read the summary, or get the full report (PDF).
The missions of the MGI and NIST are tightly aligned. NIST promotes U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards, and technology in ways that enhance economic security and improve our quality of life. MGI addresses precisely these mission elements by providing the means to reduce the cost and development time of materials discovery, optimization, and deployment. Both missions are driven by industrial competitiveness, with the creation of an innovation infrastructure as the means to this end.
Read more about the Materials Genome Initiative at NIST.
NIST Seeks Public Input on Consumer Software Labeling for Cybersecurity
In an effort to improve consumers’ ability to make informed decisions about software they purchase, NIST has drafted a set of cybersecurity criteria for consumer software. The criteria are intended to aid in the development and voluntary use of labels to indicate that the software incorporates a baseline level of security measures.
The document, formally titled Draft Baseline Criteria for Consumer Software Cybersecurity Labeling, forms part of NIST’s response to the May 12, 2021, Executive Order (EO) 14028 on Improving the Nation’s Cybersecurity. The EO specifies that NIST “shall identify secure software development practices or criteria for a consumer software labeling program” — criteria that reflect a baseline level of cybersecurity and that focus on ease of use for consumers.
Comments on the draft document are due by December 16, 2021, and can be emailed to labeling-eo@nist.gov. Please submit comments along with the submitter’s name and organization (if any) and use the subject “Draft Consumer Software Labeling Criteria." Receipt of submissions will be acknowledged by email, and all comments will be published on the project's website.
Baldrige 2022 Examiner Application Now Open
The Baldrige Performance Excellence Program is seeking applicants for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award® Board of Examiners for the 2022 award cycle.
Baldrige examiners are part of an elite group of more than 400 professionals from around the United States. These experts give their time generously and enthusiastically to the Baldrige Program by utilizing the Baldrige Excellence Framework to evaluate organizations that are applying for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award and to provide carefully crafted feedback to help these organizations improve.
The Examiner Application is now available online and will be open until 6:00 pm ET on January 10, 2022. Contact examappl@nist.gov for more information.
NIST Issues Two Reports Recommending Steps to Boost Resilience of U.S. Timekeeping
NIST recently released two reports as part of its response to the February 12, 2020, Executive Order 13905, Strengthening National Resilience Through Responsible Use of Positioning, Navigation, and Timing Services.
Funding Opportunities
FY 2022 Metals-Based Additive Manufacturing Grants Program NOFO
The NIST Metals-Based Additive Manufacturing grant program notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) seeks applications from eligible applicants to support significant measurement science research in addressing current and future barriers to widespread adoption of metals-based additive manufacturing, such as:
- Feedstock, machine and process characterization
- Real-time process monitoring and control
- Increasing process optimization and throughput
- Rapid qualification methodologies for processes and parts via characterization of surface quality, part accuracy, material properties as well as model-based approaches
- Computational requirements for systems integration in advanced additive manufacturing systems including multimaterial and multilaser systems
In FY 2022, NIST anticipates funding up to four awards with a maximum amount of $957,850 per award and a maximum project performance period of two years. Full applications must be received at Grants.gov no later than 11:59 p.m. ET, January 11, 2022. NIST will host a free pre-award webinar December 8, 2021, 1-2:30 p.m. ET to provide general information about this NOFO, guidance on preparing applications and to answer questions. Register for the webinar by Dec. 6th.
Public Safety Communications Research (PSCR) Announces $7M Award Program
PSCR is excited to announce the Public Safety Innovation Accelerator Program 2022 (PSIAP-2022) funding opportunity. We are seeking applications aimed at accelerating research and development that directly impacts first responder communications. Topic areas include mission critical voice (MCV), location-based services (LBS), and user interface/user experience (UI/UX). We anticipate funding up to $7M in new awards, with individual awards expected to range from $300,000 to $600,000 per year. Applications are due January 18, 2022. Visit the website to learn more!
Events
Workshop on Cybersecurity Labeling for Consumer IoT and Software: Executive Order Update and Discussion
Join NIST at our upcoming workshop on December 9, 2021 from 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM EST as we share and discuss our approach to carrying out the consumer labeling portion of Section 4 of the President’s Executive Order (EO) on “Improving the Nation’s Cybersecurity (14028),” issued on May 12, 2021.
This EO charged NIST with undertaking efforts which would encourage voluntary cybersecurity labeling programs. The EO directs NIST to take into account existing consumer product labeling programs as it considers efforts to educate the public on the cybersecurity capabilities of Internet-of-Things (IoT) products and software development practices. NIST also was asked to consider ways to incentivize manufacturers and developers to participate in these programs.
Registration now open!
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