Engage with Us

Resolving vulnerabilities across the national CMM landscape requires systemic, pre-competitive partnerships spanning industry, academia, and other federal entities. While we have several formal agreement options available, we don't require a formal agreement to collaborate. We also offer general research opportunities to support U.S. commerce and competitiveness as well as postdoctoral and student programs. Contact us with questions or to discuss collaboration opportunities.

Learn more about collaboration mechanisms and postdoctoral & student opportunities.
 

Collaboration Mechanisms
 

NIST does not require formal agreements in order to collaborate. However, when appropriate, NIST can enter into formal agreements with federal and non-federal entities.

Opportunities and mechanisms to collaborate are described below:

• Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs): Formal collaborative vehicles that enable joint research alongside NIST scientists, providing external teams direct access to specialized campus facilities while safeguarding vital intellectual property rights. Learn more.

• Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs): Establishment of a general understanding between NIST and other government entities.

• Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs): MTAs cover the exchange of physical materials or small devices between NIST and an outside organization. These agreements facilitate incoming or outgoing transfers so that organizations can receive NIST measurement data or enhance mutual research understanding without establishing a full collaboration.

• Partners: NIST partners with government, academia, and industry. Contact us for more information.

• Come on Site: Visit our campus in Gaithersburg, MD, Charleston, SC, or Boulder, CO to learn about our research and available resources.