A new House bill aims to establish a nonprofit foundation that would help the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) better engage with academia, industry, and civil society organizations.
The Expanding Partnerships for Innovation and Competitiveness (EPIC) Act would establish a Foundation for Standards and Metrology (FSM) at NIST that would help the agency increase access to private sector and philanthropic funding and advance collaboration.
The bipartisan legislation was introduced on June 7 by Reps. Haley Stevens, D-Mich., and Jay Obernolte, R-Calif.
“NIST’s work is at the heart of American innovation and competitiveness,” said Rep. Stevens. “Unfortunately, recent budgets have not fully funded their critical work. That’s why I’m proud to introduce the Expanding Partnerships for Innovation and Competitiveness (EPIC) Act, which will establish a non-profit foundation adjacent to NIST to help them access private sector and philanthropic dollars and partnerships to continue their critical work. Tapping new collaborations will allow NIST to continue their vital role in securing American leadership in cyber, AI, and quantum computing in the mid-21st century and beyond.”
FSM will support NIST as a congressionally-authorized independent foundation, similar to those at other Federal science agencies including the National Institutes of Health, the CDC, and the Departments of Agriculture and Energy.
“By allowing NIST the same flexibility that other Federal science agencies already enjoy, the U.S. will fully unlock the potential of NIST’s unique role in our innovation ecosystem and foster the commercialization of emerging technologies, such as AI and quantum computing,” the bill’s press release says.
Specifically, the FSM will allow NIST to have:
- Increased access to private sector and philanthropic funding;
- Advanced innovative and diverse collaborations with industry, non-profit organizations, and academia; and
- Support NIST’s workforce through education, training, retention and recruitment support, and professional development.
