AI for Resilient Manufacturing Institute Competition FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Application Process

1. Who should I contact with additional questions about the application process?
2. What are the deadlines for this funding opportunity?
3. How do I submit a concept paper and when are they due?

Competition Documents

1. What do I need to have for a complete application for this NOFO?
2. What proactive steps can we take to prepare for a possible submission?
3. Are the concept paper's Cover Page, Table of Contents, and Letters of Interest excluded from the 20-page limit?
4. Do we need to identify all key partners needed at the Concept Paper stage?
5. Can you offer guidance, or do you have expectations, regarding the technical approach proposed and the distribution of research funding?
6. What Technology Readiness Level (TRL) and Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) range are you expecting the R&D projects to be focused on?
7. Will the funding also cover Education and Workforce Development (EWD) activities, and will it be structured the same as existing institutes?

Eligibility

1. Who is eligible to apply?
2. Who is not eligible to apply?
3. My organization currently operates an existing Manufacturing USA institute. Am I eligible to apply for this NOFO?
4. What role can Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) play with respect to this funding opportunity?
5. Are there any topics that are excluded from the AI for Resilient Manufacturing Institute Funding Opportunity?
6. How can my organization partner with others?
7. Can existing Manufacturing USA institutes be a funded partner/sub-awardee to a lead organization?
8. Are incorporated (e.g., LLC, S Corporation) single-member businesses allowed to participate?

Federal Funding & Non-Federal Cost-Share

1. How much funding will be awarded?
2. Can federal funding be used for construction?
3. Is there a cost-share requirement?
4. What constitutes "cost-sharing?"
5. Is the cost-share required to be cash or in-kind?
6. What is an acceptable cost-share structure?

General Questions

1. Will the new institute be a Center of Excellence?
2. Does the funding opportunity have requirements from Made in America?
3. Can you comment on the gap between promised AI capabilities and the actual performance of AI capabilities once deployed?

Answers

Application Process

Who should I contact with additional questions about the application process?

The application process consists of a mandatory concept paper and a full application. Full applications will only be accepted from applicants invited after the concept paper evaluation.

See Section 4 of the Funding Opportunity for detailed information concerning the application process for this funding opportunity.

What are the deadlines for this funding opportunity?

• Concept papers are due by September 30, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.  
• Full applications (by invitation only): NIST anticipates full applications will be due on or about January 23, 2025. The final date will be confirmed in the invitation to submit a full proposal.

See section 4.3.5 of the Funding Opportunity for additional information concerning the submissions deadlines for this funding opportunity.

How do I submit a concept paper and when are they due?

Applicants are required to submit a concept paper. Concept papers will only be accepted through Grants.gov. The deadline for receipt of a concept paper must be received at Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, September 30, 2024.

Competition Documents

What do I need to have for a complete application for this NOFO?

The NOFO at Grants.gov contains links to download the full application package, including all required forms. Please pay close attention to all the details.

What proactive steps can we take to prepare for a possible submission?

• Make sure that you are registered or have renewed your SAM.gov account. The free annual registration process in SAM.gov may take as long as three weeks. 
• Make sure that you are currently registered 

Are the Concept Paper's Cover page, Table of Contents, and Letters of Interest excluded from the 20-page limit in the Concept Paper?

The Cover Page and Table of Contents do not contribute to the number of pages. The Letter(s) of Interest are optional, and do not contribute to the number of pages and may be submitted at the Full Proposal stage.

Do we need to find and identify all key partners needed at the Concept Paper stage?

No, it is not critical to identify all key partners at the Concept Paper stage. However, it would be good practice to identify as many as possible or at least outline the roles that need to be fulfilled.

Can you offer any guidance, or do you have expectations, regarding the technical approach proposed and the distribution of research funding?

NIST will not provide guidance or specific expectations. We are interested in the applicant’s proposed approach and how they will balance the needs of the consortium partners. It is up to applicants to propose the priorities, the process for determining them, and how to achieve the best outcomes and impact from the federal investment.

What Technology Readiness Level (TRL) and Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) range are you expecting the R&D projects to be focused on?

The institute focuses on applied R&D in the TRL/MRL 4-7 range, up to commercialization readiness. While the emphasis is on pre-competitive R&D below TRL/MRL 8, it is good practice to not place hard boundaries on the technology, allowing progress to the next phase as technology matures. The NOFO emphasizes having a transition plan for the technology.

Will the funding also cover Education and Workforce Development (EWD) activities, and will it be structured the same as existing institutes?

EWD is vital for preparing a skilled workforce. Your proposal should include plans for supporting the next generation of workers in AI for resilient manufacturing. This may involve partnering with appropriate academic, non-profit, private, or public organizations, and how EWD is structured is up to the applicants.

Eligibility

Who is eligible to apply?

All accredited institutions of higher education; non-profit organizations and for-profit organizations that are organized and operated in the United States (including U.S. territories) with majority domestic ownership or control; and State, local, Territorial, and Indian Tribal Governments.

Who is not eligible to apply?

Individuals and unincorporated sole proprietors are not eligible to apply under this NOFO. Foreign public entities and foreign organizations are not eligible to apply. Federal agencies and Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) are not eligible to apply for this NOFO. Existing Manufacturing USA institutes are not eligible to apply to this NOFO.

My organization currently operates an existing Manufacturing USA institute. Am I eligible to apply for this NOFO?

Yes. Organizations executing existing Manufacturing USA institutes, as well as those operating Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), consortia, or other federally supported membership-based programs, are eligible to apply to this NOFO, provided the proposed institute will be operationally separate and distinct from other supported efforts.  See additional information below specific to FFRDCs.

What role can Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) play with respect to this funding opportunity?

• An FFRDC may not be included as a lead applicant, funded sub-recipient, or contractor at the time of application.  
• After an award is issued: 
  • Institutes will be expected to interact with FFRDCs, as appropriate, through mechanisms consistent with those organizations’ respective missions, purposes, and operational structures. Institutes are encouraged to utilize federal entities to support aligned program goals to the extent appropriate. 
  • FFRDCs may be allowed as sub-recipients or contractors, with prior written approval of the NIST Agreements Officer and to the extent  otherwise allowed by law, based on the unique and specific needs of the Institute, subject to the provisions of the NOFO

What topics are excluded from the AI for Resilient Manufacturing Institute Funding Opportunity?

Applicants must define the scope of the new institute to avoid substantive duplication with the scope and operations of the existing network of Manufacturing USA institutes as well as the upcoming CHIPS Manufacturing USA institute - Digital Twins for Semiconductor Manufacturing. Please note that the AI for resilient manufacturing funding opportunity is separate from activities related to the NIST-sponsored US. Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute (USAISI) consortium. 

See Section 3 of this NOFO for additional information concerning the eligibility requirements for this funding opportunity.

How can my organization partner with others?

We encourage you to put your name on the Teaming list. Write down what your capabilities are and indicate you are willing to partner with another organization, whether it is as a lead organization or secondary organization. Proposers Day is another good opportunity to partner with other organizations.

Can existing Manufacturing USA institutes be a funded partner/sub-awardee to a lead organization?

Existing Manufacturing USA Institutes are not eligible to serve as a funded partner/sub-awardee but may support the proposed Institute as an unfunded partner.  The organization operating an existing Institute (e.g., a non-profit that runs the institute as well as other business operations) may be listed as a funded partner, provided that the Institute and the operator are separate and distinct legal entities and further provided that NIST approves the amount and scope of the proposed funding.  Post-award, the new institute will be encouraged to partner with existing institutes, as appropriate.

Are incorporated (e.g., LLC, S Corporation) single-member businesses allowed to participate?

Single-member limited liability corporations (LLCs) and S corporations that are disregarded for tax purposes are eligible to apply for funding pursuant to this NOFO. The NOFO prohibits individuals and unincorporated businesses from applying, which does not include LLCs or S Corporations since they are incorporated pursuant to applicable State law. This is the case regardless of whether the LLC is a single-member entity and regardless of whether the S Corporation is a disregarded entity for tax purposes.

Federal Funding & Non-Federal Cost Share

How much federal funding will be awarded?

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 institute.

Can federal funding be used for construction?

Construction activities are not an allowable cost under this NOFO using either federal funds or non-federal cost share. However, costs related to internal modifications of existing buildings that would be necessary to carry out the proposed research tasks may be allowed at NIST’s discretion. Any plans should be described in detail as part of an application.  

Is there a cost-share requirement?

Yes. This program requires non-federal cost-share in an amount equal to at least the total amount of Federal funding over the lifetime of the award (i.e., 50% or more of the total funding for the institute must come from non-federal sources). Non-federal cost-share is that portion of the project costs not borne by the Federal Government. 

What constitutes "cost-sharing?"

• Cost-share is a contribution from a non-Federal source that directly supports the institute’s operations. Both in-kind and cash contributions count toward the requirement. Cost-share must be tangible, meaningful, and substantial enough in the aggregate to signal strong and committed industry, regional, and local partnerships. 
• Applicants should consider the merits and uncertainties inherent in different types of cost-share when preparing applications.

See Section 2.2 of this NOFO for additional information concerning the availability of funding for this program, Section 3.3 of this NOFO for additional information concerning the non-federal cost share requirements for this program, and Section 3.4. of this NOFO for the eligible uses of federal and non-federal cost-share funding for this program.

Is the cost-share required to be cash or in-kind?

Both cash and in-kind are allowed. However, the valuation of in-kind cost share is important, so we encourage you to carefully review Sections 3.3 and 3.4 of the NOFO to determine what types of contributions may qualify as in-kind cost share.

What is an acceptable cost-share structure?

NIST does not specify a cost-share structure. The percentage of cash versus in-kind contributions is up to the applicant. However, both cash and in-kind contributions must directly support the institute's work, and for the Concept Paper stage, the proposed cost-share will be evaluated in accordance with Section 5.1.1.3.2. of the NOFO.

General Questions

Will the new institute be a Center of Excellence?

No, this is a public-private partnership. NIST will select a lead for the public-private consortium, which will direct the institute's strategy and technology roadmaps with guidance from NIST. This model differs from a Center of Excellence. In addition, the focus is on applied research and maturing technology for commercial deployment, not fundamental research.

Does the funding opportunity have requirements from Made in America? 

The NOFO outlines considerations for domestic production and encourages applicants to explain their approach. It also provides guidance on important questions to ask. Specific requirements depend on your proposal and how you plan to address the issue.  See Section 4.3.7 of the NOFO.

Can you comment on the gap between promised AI capabilities and the actual performance of AI capabilities once deployed?

NIST aims to ensure AI tools delivered to industry meet their promises. Processes and tools must be in place to assess risks and capabilities transparently.