Highlights of 2014 Budget Changes

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Appropriation: Scientific and Technical Research and Services

Highlights of Program Changes

Measurement Science, Services, and Program

1. Advanced Manufacturing

Manufacturing plays a central role in realizing the benefits of technological innovation and in the overall growth and health of the U.S. economy. The ability to rapidly introduce product innovations will provide a foundation for future U.S. manufacturing market growth, competitiveness, and creation and retention of high skill, well-paying jobs. With its FY 2014 budget request, NIST is expanding its laboratory efforts in the following areas critical to advanced manufacturing:

Developing the measurement science and data infrastructure for the manufacture of emerging materials – Much of advanced manufacturing depends upon the ability to make at scale or integrate the use of new materials into existing manufacturing processes. To support this need NIST will continue to invest in strengthening its efforts to develop the standards and data needed to support advanced materials modeling and design. These efforts are central to NIST's role in the Material's Genome Initiative.

Supporting the manufacture of emerging technologies – There is enormous potential for U.S. leadership in the manufacture of products in emerging technology areas, which have grown out of the U.S. investment in the biosciences and Nanotechnology. NIST will provide the measurement science, data, and tools that are needed for efficient manufacturing in these areas. NIST programs in nanomanufacturing will ensure that materials can be produced at scale and at viable cost. NIST research in biomanufacturing will help create new manufacturing paradigms that use cells as factories for fuels, pharmaceuticals and specialty chemicals.

Precision measurements for manufacturers – Precise manufacturing metrology enables high-quality, high-throughput production, increasing the competitiveness of U.S. manufacturers. Current methods for calibrating machinery and assessing quality can introduce cost and time delays to manufacturing processes. Through increased investment in miniaturization techniques and quantum-based measurement capabilities, NIST will be able to deliver self-calibrating measurement science technology that can be directly integrated into instruments and processes on the manufacturing floor, and thus, eliminate the need for costly calibrations.

Enabling the integration and use of smart manufacturing technologies – The next generation of smart manufacturing processes and equipment such as automation, distributed sensing, and advanced control systems need to be optimized to enable cost-effective and agile manufacturing of high-tech products and systems. NIST will continue to strengthen its efforts focused on standards for the closer integration of robotics and humans in the manufacturing environment, and in the development of a testbed to evaluate the performance of automated in-process quality monitoring and control systems which are critical to the efficient operation of modern factories.

2. Cybersecurity R&D and Standards

Protecting the nation's cyber infrastructure is a top priority of the Administration. This initiative will enable NIST to strengthen its core cybersecurity R&D programs that are the critical foundation upon which NIST's ability to effectively engage in cybersecurity standards development are built. R&D supported by this effort will specifically target challenges facing the delivery of security for Federal mobile environments, as well as the development of better methods for measuring and managing the security status of systems -- from mobile devices, to networks, to cloud systems. The increased funding will also enable NIST to increase the number of cybersecurity challenges addressed by the National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence, which will help accelerate the delivery of implementable cybersecurity solutions to industry. Finally, the increased funding will provide additional support for NIST efforts under the February 12, 2013 Executive Order "Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity," under which NIST will establish a framework of voluntary guidelines for improving the cybersecurity of the nation's critical infrastructure, such as power plants, financial operations, transportation and communications.

3. Advanced Communications

Rapid advances in communications technology have fundamentally changed the way we work and live. With these advances have come significant challenges that if not addressed will significantly impact our nation's ability to reap the benefits from these technologies while ensuring that our national security needs are met. Examples of these challenges include: the exponential growth of wireless data usage – scarce spectrum must be more efficiently used to meet the demand; the evolution of broadband access in the home – this has moved from a luxury to a necessity with increasing needs for ever-higher bandwidth; and, the vulnerability of all internet capable devices to various security threats. To address these challenges, the budget request includes funds for research, testing, and evaluation in the areas of spectrum sharing, testing, standards coordination, public safety communications, electromagnetics and quantum electronics, among others. By taking advantage of and leveraging the critical mass of NIST and NTIA research and engineering capabilities concentrated in Boulder, Colorado, the Department of Commerce will create a unique national asset that will provide the infrastructure necessary for effective engagement and collaboration with industry and government partners that is required to effectively and efficiently address current and future communications challenges. NIST's efforts in this area will:

• Promote interdisciplinary research, development, and testing in advanced communication related areas such as Radio Frequency (RF) technology, digital information processing, cybersecurity, interoperability, and usability.
• Provide a single focal point for engaging both industry and other government agencies on advanced communication technologies, including testing, validation, and conformity assessment.

4. Cyber Physical Systems

The convergence of networking and information technology with manufactured products, engineered systems of products, and associated services are enabling a new generation of "smart" or cyber-physical systems (CPS). These CPS are critical components and key value added features of items that consumers use every day from cars and telecommunications to buildings and medical devices. As CPS have grown exponentially in complexity, dramatic improvements in the systems engineering, integration and testing are needed. This initiative will enable NIST to develop the measurement tools and standards to address three key problem areas that cut across all CPS: model-based diagnostics and prognostics needed to manage and optimize the performance of CPS (like electric grids, and transportation networks); time synchronization, which is critical to the efficient operation of systems; and, secure operation in order to ensure that widely deployed CPS systems have appropriate risk-based security solutions.

5. NIST Centers of Excellence

The request will be used to provide grants for establishing four competitively selected Centers of Excellence in measurement science areas defined by NIST. These grants to multi-university and/or single university Centers will be awarded for 5-7 year periods, after which the grants would be re-competed. Each Center of Excellence will provide an interdisciplinary environment in which NIST, academia and industry would collaborate in pursuing basic and applied research focused on innovations in measurement science and new technology development focused on critical emerging technology areas.

6. Health Information Technology (Health IT)

NIST will work in coordination with the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (HHS/ONC) to develop the interoperability standards and the supporting testing and validation infrastructure to support the meaningful use of electronic health records.

7. Forensic Science

There is a critical need to strengthen the utility and reliability of forensic science in the U.S. justice system. The National Academies in their 2009 report highlighted the need for improved measurement and validation processes, clearly defined standards, and the dissemination of best practices to strengthen the precision and reliability of forensic analyses. With the requested funds, NIST will support the forensic science community through: the research and development of traceable standard materials, reference data, and calibration systems; working with the forensics science community to facilitate standards development; and providing measurement science research and training opportunities for forensic science practitioners.

8. Disaster Resilience

U.S. communities can and do suffer catastrophic loss, due to extreme events such as hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, earthquakes, and flooding. Critically needed metrics, tools, and standards to ensure community-level resilience will enable communities to recover more rapidly from these disasters with minimal loss of life, minimal damage to buildings and infrastructure lifelines, and minimal business disruption. Through an integrated multi-year, public-private partnership program strategy, this funding will enable NIST to accelerate research, development, adoption, and implementation of critical science-based metrics, tools, standards, and other innovations essential to achieve national infrastructure resilience. The Federal government, through NIST leadership, will play a critical convener role by bringing together the highly diverse stakeholder interests across all hazards in developing and adopting a national resilience framework and associated model resilience standards and policies.

9. National Strategy for Trusted Identities in Cyberspace (NSTIC)

The request continues to support the Administration's National Strategy for Trusted Identities for Cyberspace that is in direct response to the recommendations of the White House Cyberspace Policy Review. The Administration through the National Strategy for Trusted Identities for Cyberspace (NSTIC) has called for raising the level of trust associated with the identities of individuals, organizations, services, and devices involved in online transactions. NIST received $16.5 million in FY 2012 enacted appropriations for the NSTIC initiative and the requested increase funds additional grants to ramp up efforts begun in FY 2012.

10. National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE)

The request supports work under the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE). Cybersecurity is much more than technological solutions to technical problems; it is also highly dependent on educated users who are aware of and routinely employ sound practices when dealing with cyberspace. NIST will work with Federal, State, local, and regional governments to improve cybersecurity education. In collaboration with other agencies, NIST will support the implementation of the cybersecurity education framework that addresses: national cybersecurity awareness; formal cybersecurity education; Federal cybersecurity workforce structure; and cybersecurity workforce training and professional development.

11. NIST Summer Institute for Middle School Science Teachers

As part of the Administration's comprehensive reorganization of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education programs to increase the impact of Federal investments, funding for the NIST Summer Institute for Middle School Science Teachers will be redirected to implement a Department of Education initiative to improve K-12 STEM instruction.

12. Reduction to NIST's STRS extramural grants

NIST's budget includes a proposed decrease to extramural grants for redirection to higher priority activities within the STRS appropriation.

Appropriation: Construction of Research Facilities

Highlights of Program Changes

Construction of Research Facilities

This appropriation supports the construction of new facilities and the renovation and maintenance of NIST's current buildings and laboratories to comply with scientific and engineering requirements and to keep pace with Federal, State, and local health and safety regulations. The budget request for CRF is $60.0 million.

1. Safety, Capacity, Maintenance, and Major Repair (SCMMR).

NIST requests an increase of $4.230 million to expedite the maintenance and repair of facilities and reduce the impact of facility deficiencies on laboratory projects. The increased funding will allow NIST to reduce the backlog of renovation projects across NIST facilities.

Appropriation: Industrial Technology Services

Highlights of Program Changes

Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership

1. +25.0 million for MEP Manufacturing Technology Acceleration Centers (M-TAC).

U.S. small manufacturers are a critical segment of our economy, comprising 90 percent of all manufacturing establishments and 45 percent of employment. U.S. small and mid-sized manufacturers play a growing role in technology innovation, including product development and process improvement. This trend has been supported by the expanded portfolio of services for small and mid-sized manufacturers offered by NIST's Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) through MEP's Next Generation Strategies. These strategies include specialized programs to promote technology acceleration, supply chain reinforcement, sustainability, continuous improvement and workforce development.

A critical component of the Administration's goal of enhancing U.S. competitiveness in advanced manufacturing is support for highly effective supply chains in technology intensive manufacturing sectors. To advance this objective NIST plans to establish through the MEP program Manufacturing Technology Acceleration Centers (M-TACs), teams of experts in specific technology/industrial sectors, offering specialized services to groups of firms. M-TACs will deploy content and services through the well-established national network of local centers, utilizing "tiger teams" and direct consulting for centers and manufacturers. M-TACs would serve as national centers of expertise aligned with industry specific associations, trade groups, and OEMs to identify key barriers to supply chain development and draw upon their resources to develop new approaches and establish or reinforce supply chain networks.

The M-TACs will provide technology acceleration support to U.S. small and mid-sized manufacturers through a program that is nationally connected and locally deployed, enhancing the ability of supply chains to adopt advanced technologies into their manufacturing processes and products.

2. -$1.229 million decrease to MEP's base to align the program with the FY 2012 enacted level.

MEP base decrease to align the program with the FY 2012 enacted level.

Advanced Manufacturing Technology Consortia (AMTech)

1. +21.4 million for AMTech.

The request includes $21.4 million for the Advanced Manufacturing Technology Consortia (AMTech). AMTech will provide grants to leverage existing consortia or establish new industry-led consortia to develop road-maps of critical long-term industrial research needs as well as fund research at leading universities and government laboratories directed at meeting these needs. This program would be based on NIST's experience with the Nanoelectronics Research Initiative (NRI) partnership and would expand and improve on that model.

Highlights of Additional Budget Changes Relevant to NIST

Mandatory Account: National Network for Manufacturing Innovation

Highlights of Program Changes

National Network for Manufacturing Innovation

As part of the Administration's efforts to revitalize U.S. manufacturing, the Budget proposes a one-time $1 billion investment to launch a network of up to 15 manufacturing innovation institutes across the country. Each institute would bring together companies, university and community colleges, and government to co-invest in the development of cutting-edge manufacturing technologies and capabilities that U.S. manufacturers can apply in production. The NNMI will fill a gap in the innovation infrastructure, allowing new manufacturing processes and technologies to progress more smoothly from basic research to implementation in manufacturing. A network leadership council will disseminate best practices and facilitate collaboration among the institutes. Program coordination will be led by the NIST-hosted, inter-agency Advanced Manufacturing National Program Office.

*Full-time equivalent employee

**All amounts are in thousands.