NIST Invests $7M in Small Manufacturing Pilot Projects; Penny Pritzker Comments

The National Institute of Standards and Technology has allotted $7 million in funding for pilot projects meant to help small manufacturers engage with the Manufacturing Innovation Institutes for technology transfer efforts.

The National Network for Manufacturing Innovation consists of multiple linked Manufacturing Innovation Institutes. Each has a unique technological concentration, but is also designed to accelerate U.S. advanced manufacturing as a whole.

NIST said Friday, through this funding the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership will be encouraged to work closely with the institutes to collaborate on various projects in the hopes of benefiting small U.S. manufacturers.

“Expanding the collaboration between the NNMI and MEP is an important step forward in our efforts to strengthen the competitiveness of U.S. manufacturers,” said Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker.

NIST will invest up to $600,000 per year into seven pilot projects for two years in order to assist small manufacturers in their technology development and transfer efforts.

The funding is scheduled to be awarded on October 1, 2016.

The funding is open to existing MEP centers that have teaming arrangement with the current institutes.