Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock (
) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
RACER Grant Programs
About the RACER Program
NIST awarded nearly $54 million to 13 high-impact projects for research, development, and testbeds for emergency response. The funding supported projects at eight Manufacturing USA institutes, working with more than 80 partners, including leading research universities, nonprofits, and small and large manufacturers.
The projects advanced manufacturing competitiveness, bolstered U.S. infrastructure and capacity for onshoring production, advanced automation in domestic manufacturing, reinforced supply chain resilience, and equipped our workforce with skills for high-quality manufacturing jobs.
The RACER awards were made in 2022, with an established performance period of 18 to 24 months. Below are the Manufacturing USA institute leads for each of the 13 projects that received funding.
Project Lead: Advanced Functional Fabrics of America (AFFOA)
Project Title: Enabling Manufacturing Automation, Supply Chain Diversification, and Addressing the Environmental Impact of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Project Summary: This project develops new manufacturing technologies and processes that can be used to produce high-quality personal protective equipment rapidly, thereby enhancing US self-sufficiency in critical supplies.
Award #: 70NANB22H009
Award Amount: $11,116,420
For more information, visit: https://affoa.org/the-force-behind-the-mask-how-american-ingenuity-is-saving-the-u-s-from-a-ppe-disaster/
Project Lead: Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM)
Project Title: Robotics and Automation Decision Framework for Agility and Resilience (RADAR)
Project Summary: This project develops new manufacturing technologies and processes that can be used to produce high-quality personal protective equipment rapidly, thereby enhancing US self-sufficiency in critical supplies.
Award #: 70NANB22H012
Award Amount: $4,895,709
For more information, visit https://arminstitute.org/projects/robotics-and-automation-decision-framework-for-agility-and-resilience-radar/
Project Lead: AIM Photonics
Project Title: Photonic Multianalyte Biosensor for Rapid Point-of-Care Testing
Project Summary: This project created a proof of concept for a disposable, lab-on-a-chip biosensor that detects pathogens using silicon photonics, eliminating the need for costly reagents or complex, large, power-consuming hardware, while offering low temperature sensitivity.
Award #: 70NANB22H005
Award Amount: $299,149
For more information, visit https://www.aimphotonics.com/news/aim-photonics-awarded-527m-under-rapid-assistance-for-coronavirus-economic-response-racer-grant-program
Project Lead: AIM Photonics
Project Title: Point of Care Sensors
Project Summary: This project produced the first-ever inexpensive, point-of-need biosensor using integrated photonics, increasing access without the need for expensive equipment or specialized expertise.
Award #: 70NANB22H015
Award Amount: $4,974,630
For more information, visit: https://www.aimphotonics.com/news/aim-photonics-awarded-527m-under-rapid-assistance-for-coronavirus-economic-response-racer-grant-programProject Lead: America Makes
Project Title: Additive Manufacturing of Non-Woven Materials for RPPE
Project Summary: This project will develop and deploy advanced manufacturing technologies to produce high-quality filtration materials, enhancing US self-sufficiency in critical supplies, and building a skilled workforce in advanced manufacturing.
Award #: 70NANB22H014
Award Amount: $3,021,989
For more information, visit: https://www.americamakes.us/
Project Lead: Bioindustrial Manufacturing and Design Ecosystem (BioMADE)
Project Title: Domestic Supply Chain for Vaccine Manufacturing
Project Summary: This project strengthens the domestic biomanufacturing supply chain, enables the rapid production of vaccines and therapeutics, and reduces reliance on foreign suppliers.
Award #: 70NANB22H016
Award Amount: $4,729,690
For more information, visit: https://www.biomade.org/domestic-supply-chains-for-vaccine-manufacturing#:~:text=This%20project%20brings%20together%20scientists,to%20support%20coronavirus%20vaccine%20production
Project Lead: Bioindustrial Manufacturing and Design Ecosystem (BioMADE)
Project Title: Distributed Manufacturing of Antigen for Serological Testing & Countermeasures
Project Summary: This project developed new technologies and processes for antigen manufacturing, improved the efficiency and scalability of biomanufacturing, and enhanced US self-sufficiency in vaccine production by reducing reliance on foreign components.
Award #: 70NANB22H017
Award Amount: $4,075,202
For more information, visit: https://www.biomade.org/antigen-manufacturing
Project Lead: Manufacturing times Digital (MxD)
Project Title: Local Health Alert System (LHAS): Closing the Loop from Supply Chains to Public Health to Prevent Disease and Bolster Supply Chain Resiliency
Project Summary: This project developed a framework for a secure, decentralized data exchange platform to enable real-time monitoring and response to health threats, improving the resilience of US healthcare systems.
Award #: 70NANB22H013
Award Amount: $2,369,302
For more information, visit: https://www.mxdusa.org/projects/localized-health-alert-system/
Project Lead: Manufacturing times Digital (MxD)
Project Title: Rx Product Marketplace Orchestrator
Project Summary: This project developed a digital platform to connect manufacturers, distributors, and healthcare providers, thereby streamlining the pharmaceutical supply chain and enhancing access to critical medicines.
Award #: 70NANB22H011
Award Amount: $3,880,344
For more information, visit https://www.mxdusa.org/projects/rx-product-marketplace-orchestrator/
Project Lead: PowerAmerica
Project Title: Building Resiliency in Remote Locations
Project Summary: This project was designed to strengthen community resilience by enabling reliable and efficient energy systems that support disaster and emergency preparedness in remote, hard-to-reach areas.
Award #: 70NANB22H007
Award Amount: $4,982,299
For more information, visit: https://poweramericainstitute.org/
Project Lead: Rapid Advancement in Process Intensification Deployment (RAPID)
Project Summary: The project developed modular, flexible manufacturing processes for critical chemicals and pharmaceutical ingredients, enabling faster and more efficient domestic production.
Project Title: Accelerated Modular Process Development (AMPD) for Domestic Manufacturing of Critical Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient Chemical Precursors
Award #: 70NANB22H006
Award Amount: $4,638,882
For more information, visit: https://rapid.aiche.org/projects/accelerated-modular-process-development-ampd
Project Lead: Rapid Advancement in Process Intensification Deployment (RAPID)
Project Title: Scale-up of Continuous Manufacturing and Productization of Graphene for Advanced Respirator and Biosensor Applications
Project Summary: This project developed a continuous manufacturing process for high-quality graphene, enabling the widespread adoption of this critical material for various industries.
Award #: 70NANB22H010
Award Amount: $3,733,536
For more information, visit: https://rapid.aiche.org/projects/continuous-graphene-production-applications-related-covid-19
Project Lead: Rapid Advancement in Process Intensification Deployment (RAPID)
Project Title: A Virtual Technician & Operator Training Program (VTOTP) for Advanced Processes in the Pharmaceutical, Biopharmaceutical, and Specialty Chemical Industries
Project Summary: This project developed and deployed virtual training platforms to prepare technicians and operators to excel in advanced biopharmaceutical, pharmaceutical, and specialty chemical processes.
Award #: 70NANB22H008
Award Amount: $1,109,520
For more information, visit: https://rapid.aiche.org/virtual-technician-and-operator-training-program-vtotp