Wendy
H. Schacht
Specialist in Science and Technology Policy
The
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), a laboratory of the
Department of Commerce, is mandated to provide technical services to facilitate
the competitiveness of U.S. industry. NIST is directed to offer support to
the private sector for the development of precompetitive generic
technologies and the diffusion of government-developed innovation to users in
all segments of the American economy. Laboratory research is to provide
measurement, calibration, and quality assurance techniques that underpin
U.S. commerce, technological progress, improved product reliability,
manufacturing processes, and public safety.
Continued funding for NIST extramural programs directed toward increased
private sector commercialization has been a major issue. Some Members of
Congress have expressed skepticism over a “technology policy” based on
providing federal funds to industry for development of pre-competitive
generic technologies. This approach, coupled with pressures to balance the
federal budget, led to significant reductions in funding for NIST. The Advanced Technology
Program (ATP) and the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), which accounted
for over 50% of the FY1995 NIST budget, were proposed for elimination. In 2007, ATP
was terminated and replaced by the Technology Innovation Program (TIP).
However, no funding was appropriated for TIP in the FY2012 appropriations
legislation and NIST is “currently taking the necessary actions for an
orderly shutdown.”
While much of the legislative debate has focused on ATP, TIP, and MEP,
increases in spending for the NIST laboratories that perform the research
essential to the mission responsibilities of the agency have tended to
remain small. As part of the American Competitiveness Initiative, announced
by former President Bush in the 2006 State of the Union, the Administration
stated its intention to double over 10 years funding for “innovation-enabling
research” done at NIST through its “core” programs (defined as internal
research in the Scientific and Technical Research and Services [STRS]
account and the construction budget). In April 2009, the current President stated
his decision to double the budget of key science agencies, including NIST, over
the next 10 years. While additional funding has been forthcoming, it
remains to be seen how support for internal research and development
(R&D) at NIST will evolve and how this might affect financing of
extramural efforts such as MEP. The dispensation of funding for NIST programs
may influence the way by which the federal government supports technology
development for commercial application.
Date of Report: October 3, 2012
Number of Pages: 12
Order Number: 95-30
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