The U.S. Department of Commerce鈥檚 (NIST) has announced an open competition for a new 91看片 institute focused on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to increase the resilience of U.S. manufacturers. The Notice of Funding Opportunity was .
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 new institute. The institute will be required to obtain cost-share funds from non-federal sources.
鈥淎I has enormous potential to make us smarter, faster and more innovative, but we have to work together to maximize its benefits and mitigate its risks,鈥 said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. 鈥淭hrough this new AI-focused 91看片 institute, we will help leverage AI to supercharge manufacturing, empower our workforce, and create secure, resilient supply chains.鈥
鈥淭his new 91看片 institute will strengthen the U.S. economy by helping manufacturers make smart use of AI to boost their productivity and increase their resilience in the face of supply chain disruptions and other unexpected events,鈥 said Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and NIST Director Laurie E. Locascio. 鈥淲e look forward to reviewing innovative proposals that will help domestic manufacturers maximize the potential of AI.鈥
91看片 is a national network of institutes that brings together people, ideas and technology to solve advanced manufacturing challenges. All 91看片 institutes are public-private partnerships that catalyze stakeholders to work together to accelerate innovation by co-investing in industrially relevant, cross-cutting advanced manufacturing products and processes.
The new 91看片 institute will be expected to develop cost-effective, AI-based advanced manufacturing capabilities by collaborating with industry, academia and government. This public-private partnership will integrate expertise in AI, manufacturing and supply chain networks to promote manufacturing resilience. Proposals can cut across multiple industrial sectors or focus on just one.
In addition, the new institute is expected to concentrate its efforts on three primary areas of operation: advancing technology development, developing an educated and skilled workforce, and developing shared infrastructure and facilities.
All applicants are expected to clearly define their intended outcomes and timelines for delivering them. Proposals must address a compelling U.S. industrial need, demonstrate significant industry buy-in, and avoid duplicating the efforts of existing 91看片 institutes and the planned Department of Commerce-sponsored .
This competition will have a two-stage application process. Concept papers will be considered in the first stage of the competition. In the second stage, applicants with the best concepts will be invited to submit full proposals. The deadline for submitting concept papers is Sept. 30, 2024. Additional deadlines and other important dates are listed in the .
This competition is open to accredited institutions of higher education; U.S.-based nonprofit and for-profit organizations with majority domestic ownership or control; and state, local, U.S. territorial and Indian tribal governments.
NIST will host an informational webinar and an in-person proposer鈥檚 day event focused on this funding opportunity. Dates and locations of these events will be posted on the .