2020-NIST-MSE-01 NOFO.pdf

2020 MSE NOFO

2020-NIST-MSE-01

February 12, 2020

NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY (NOFO)

Measurement Science and Engineering (MSE) Research Grant Programs

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

• Federal Agency Name: National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), United States Department of Commerce (DoC)

• Funding Opportunity Title: Measurement Science and Engineering (MSE)

Research Grant Programs

• Announcement Type: Initial

• Funding Opportunity Number: 2020-NIST-MSE-01

• Assistance Listings (CFDA Numbers): 11.609: Measurement and Engineering

Research and Standards, 11.619: Arrangements for Interdisciplinary Research Infrastructure, and 11.620: Science, Technology, Business and/or Education Outreach.

• Dates: Applications will be accepted and considered on a rolling basis as they are received. See Section IV.4. in the Full Announcement Text of this NOFO.

When developing your submission timeline, please keep in mind that (1) all applicants are required to have current registrations in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) and Grants.gov; (2) the free annual registration process in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) (see Section IV.3. and Section IV.7.a.(1).(b). of this NOFO) generally takes between three and five business days but can take more than three weeks; and (3) applicants will receive a series of e-mail messages from Grants.gov over a period of up to two business days before learning whether a Federal agency’s electronic system has received its application. Please note that a federal assistance award cannot be issued if the designated recipient’s registration in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) is not current at the time of the award.

• Application Submission Address: Applications must be submitted using

Grants.gov.

• Funding Opportunity Description: NIST is soliciting applications for financial assistance for Fiscal Year 2020 (FY20) within the following NIST grant programs:

(1) the Associate Director for Innovation and Industry Services (ADIIS);

(2) the Associate Director for Laboratory Programs (ADLP);

(3) the Communications Technology Laboratory (CTL);

(4) the Engineering Laboratory (EL);

(5) Fire Research (FR);

(6) the Information Technology Laboratory (ITL);

(7) the International and Academic Affairs Office (IAAO);

(8) the Material Measurement Laboratory (MML);

(9) the NIST Center for Neutron Research (NCNR);

(10) the Physical Measurement Laboratory (PML);

(11) the Special Programs Office (SPO); and

(12) the Standards Coordination Office (SCO).

This funding opportunity will result in the award of grants or cooperative agreements.

A grant or cooperative agreement is not the correct funding vehicle if the principal purpose is to provide products or services for the direct benefit or use of the federal government.

• Anticipated Funding Amounts: See Section II. in the Full Announcement Text of this NOFO.

• Funding Instrument: Grant or cooperative agreement, as appropriate.

• Who is Eligible: Eligibility for all programs listed in this NOFO is open to all non- Federal entities. Eligible applicants include institutions of higher education, non-profit organizations, for-profit organizations, state and local governments, Indian tribes, hospitals, foreign public entities, and foreign governments. Please note that individuals and unincorporated sole proprietors are not considered “non-Federal entities” and are not eligible to apply under this NOFO.

• Cost Sharing or Matching Requirements: The MSE Research Grant Programs do not require cost sharing or matching.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. Program Description ……………………………………………………… 3 II. Federal Award Information ……………………………………………... 26 III. Eligibility Information ……………………… …………………….……... 28 IV. Application and Submission Information ………………….…….…….. 28 V. Application Review Information ……………………………………..…. 41 VI. Federal Award Administration Information ……………………..…….. 55 VII. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts …………..………………………. 69 VIII. Other ...……………………………………………………………………. 70

FULL ANNOUNCEMENT TEXT

I. Program Description

This funding opportunity will result in the award of grants or cooperative agreements.

1. Associate Director for Innovation and Industry Services (ADIIS) Grant Program

The statutory authority for the ADIIS Grant Program is 15 U.S.C. § 272(b) and (c) and 15 U.S.C. § 278g-1(e)(1) and (e)(3).

Program Description: The ADIIS Grant Program supports activities that develop, expand, strengthen, or sustain NIST partnership programs within the ADIIS Directorate through measurements, standards, data, industry and technology studies, and technology research and development (R&D).

Specifically, the ADIIS Grant Program seeks to support technology innovation and service to American industry in the following fields: bioscience, chemistry, dimensional metrology, electronics, engineering, infrastructure, information technology, manufacturing, manufacturing metrology, materials science and engineering, nanotechnology, neutron research, optics, and physics.

The ADIIS Directorate’s current partnership programs include the Baldrige

Performance Excellence Program1, the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP)2, programs within the NIST Office of Advanced Manufacturing3, and programs within the NIST Technology Partnerships Office4.

Financial assistance may be provided to bolster measurements, standards, data and technology R&D within these partnership programs, or through new partnerships, to:

• advance early-stage research and development for industry;

• enhance opportunities in manufacturing through innovation;

• strengthen supplier programs for small and medium manufacturers;

• encourage the transfer and commercialization of research and technology from institutions of higher education, federal laboratories, other federally

1 The Baldrige Program oversees the nation's only Presidential award for performance excellence while offering a wide array of award-winning products and services, including the world-renowned Baldrige Excellence Framework.

See https://www.nist.gov/baldrige for more information.

2 MEP is a public-private partnership with Centers in all 50 states and Puerto Rico dedicated to serving small and medium-sized manufacturers. See https://www.nist.gov/mep for more information.

3 The NIST Office of Advanced Manufacturing coordinates the network of Manufacturing USA institutes and leads the interagency Advanced Manufacturing National Program Office. See https://www.nist.gov/oam for more information.

4 Programs within the NIST Technology Partnership Office include the NIST Technology Transfer Program, the Lab to Market Initiative, and the Economic Analysis Program. See https://www.nist.gov/tpo for more information.

https://www.nist.gov/baldrige https://www.nist.gov/mep https://www.nist.gov/oam https://www.nist.gov/tpo funded research programs, and nonprofit research institutes;

• create jobs or promote workforce development; and

• realize or sustain metrology needs in American industry, including through technical metrology training programs for manufacturers.

Financial support may be provided for conferences, workshops, studies, or technical R&D meetings that are relevant to advancing NIST partnerships pursuant to technology innovation and service to American industry. However, NIST cannot be an official sponsor or co-sponsor for any event funded through this program.

All applications submitted to the ADIIS Grant Program must be in accordance with the program objectives listed above.

Financial support will not be provided for the establishment of an MEP Center or to augment capabilities of an MEP Center through an MEP Center applicant.

Current MEP Centers may add capabilities to the MEP Program, including the development of projects to solve new or emerging manufacturing problems, through the rolling MEP Competitive Awards Program NOFO (see https://www.nist.gov/mep/rolling-competitive-awards-program).

Financial support will not be provided for the NIST Small Business Innovation

Research (SBIR) program. The NIST SBIR program solicits research and development proposals from small businesses that respond to specific technical needs described in the annual NIST SBIR Program NOFO. Please visit the NIST SBIR Program webpage for more information: https://www.nist.gov/tpo/small-business-innovation-research-program.

Additional information about the ADIIS and ADIIS Programs may be obtained at https://www.nist.gov/adiis. The contact person for the ADIIS Grant Program, who may be contacted for clarification of the program objectives, is Michael Molnar and he may be reached at (301) 975-3673 or by e-mail at mike.molnar@nist.gov.

2. Associate Director for Laboratory Programs (ADLP) Grant Program

The statutory authority for the ADLP Grant Program is 15 U.S.C. § 272(b) and (c)

Program Description: The ADLP Grant Program provides financial assistance to support the conduct of research or a recipient’s portion of collaborative research consistent with the NIST mission in the following fields: bioscience, chemistry, materials, physics, engineering, infrastructure, information technology, neutron research and nanotechnology. Financial support may be provided for students to attend education and outreach programs, conferences, workshops, or https://www.nist.gov/mep/rolling-competitive-awards-program https://www.nist.gov/tpo/small-business-innovation-research-program https://www.nist.gov/tpo/small-business-innovation-research-program https://www.nist.gov/adiis mailto:mike.molnar@nist.gov other technical research meetings that are relevant to the mission of the ADLP.

Financial support may also be provided to organizations sponsoring conferences, workshops, education and outreach programs, or other technical events that are relevant to the mission of the ADLP. However, NIST cannot be an official sponsor or co-sponsor for any event funded through this program.

Additional information about the ADLP and ADLP Programs may be obtained at http://www.nist.gov/director/adlp.cfm.

All applications submitted to the ADLP Grant Program must be in accordance with the program objectives listed above. The contact person for the ADLP Grant Program, who may be contacted for clarification of the program objectives, is Jason Boehm and he may be reached at (301) 975-8678 or by e-mail at jason.boehm@nist.gov.

3. Communications Technology Laboratory (CTL) Grant Program

The statutory authority for the CTL Grant Program is 15 U.S.C. § 272(b) and (c), 15 U.S.C. § 278g-1(e)(1) and (e)(3), 15 U.S.C. § 278n-1, 15 U.S.C. § 3706 and 47 U.S.C. § 1443.

Program Description: The CTL Grant Program provides financial assistance to support the conduct of research or a recipient’s portion of collaborative research consistent with the CTL mission in broad areas that support the accelerated development, testing, and deployment of advanced communications technologies in support of both commercial and government applications including: high-speed electronics, wireless systems metrology, antenna and RF capabilities, high-speed and high frequency measurement capabilities, advanced optics, quantum communications, network design and optimization, network modeling, spectrum sharing, and public safety network communications.

Additional information about the CTL and CTL Programs may be obtained at www.nist.gov/ctl. All applications submitted must be in accordance with the program objectives listed below for the three CTL divisions. The contact person for the CTL Grant Program, who may be contacted for clarification of program objectives, is Lucy Tedesco and she may be reached at (301) 975-3833 or by e-mail at lucy.tedesco@nist.gov.

a. CTL Office. Financial support may be provided for conferences, workshops, or other technical research meetings that are relevant to the mission of the CTL, as well as the development and deployment of spectrum-efficient and spectrum-sharing technologies, including support of the National Advanced Spectrum and Communications Test Network (NASCTN). However, NIST http://www.nist.gov/director/adlp.cfm mailto:jason.boehm@nist.gov http://www.nist.gov/ctl mailto:lucy.tedesco@nist.gov cannot be an official sponsor or co-sponsor for any event funded through this program. Applications for other purposes may be considered.

b. Public Safety Communications Research Division. Specific objectives of interest include but are not limited to researching, developing, promoting, measuring, and deploying emerging technologies and standards that enhance the ability of first responders and others using a Public Safety Communications network during emergency operations.

c. RF Technologies Division. Specific objectives of interest include but are not limited to researching, developing, promoting, measuring, and deploying emerging technologies and standards in fundamental microwave quantities, high-speed microelectronics, electromagnetic compatibility, electromagnetic field characterization, antenna metrology, electromagnetic properties of materials, spectrum sharing, and radio-frequency communications systems.

d. Wireless Networks Division. Specific objectives of interest include but are not limited to researching, developing, promoting, measuring, and deploying emerging technologies and standards that revolutionize how wireless networks are operated and used; conducting theoretical and experimental research in communication networks, protocols, digital communication systems, and components; utilizing analytical and empirical approaches, developing simulation models, experimental test beds, and building proof of concept prototypes to evaluate new technologies and refine standard specifications for wireless networks and systems; and developing metrics and measurement methods to assess the performance of wireless systems.

4. Engineering Laboratory (EL) Grant Program

The statutory authorities for the EL Grant Program are 15 U.S.C. § 272(b) and (c), 15 U.S.C. § 278g-1(e)(1) and (e)(3), 15 U.S.C. § 278n-1, 15 U.S.C. § 278n-2, 42 U.S.C. § 7701 et seq., 42 U.S.C. § 15701 et seq., and section 1305 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (Public Law 110-140).

Program Description: The EL Grant Program provides financial assistance to consistent with the EL’s mission to support research in the following fields:

advanced manufacturing; additive manufacturing; robotics; intelligent systems and information systems integration for applications in manufacturing; polymeric materials; heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC & R) equipment performance; mechanical systems and controls; heat transfer and alternative energy systems; indoor air quality and ventilation; cyber-physical systems; smart grid; Internet of Things; applied economics; and fire research.

Financial support may be provided for conferences, workshops, or other technical research meetings that are relevant to the mission of EL. However, NIST cannot be an official sponsor or co-sponsor for any event funded through this program. Additional information about the EL and EL Programs may be obtained at www.nist.gov/el.

The EL Grant Program supports the EL mission to promote U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards, and technology for engineered systems in ways that enhance economic security and improve quality of life. Typical funded activities may include measurement science research; development of performance metrics, tools, and methodologies for engineering technologies and applications; and critical technical contributions to standards and codes development.

All applications submitted must be in accordance with the program objectives listed below. The appropriate EL Program Manager for each EL field of research described in this Section may be contacted for clarification of the program objectives. The contact person for the EL Grant Program is Millie Glick and she may be reached at (301) 975-5962 or by e-mail at millie.glick@nist.gov.

a. Applied Economics Office. The primary objective is to provide standardized methods, economic models, training programs and materials and expert technical consulting in support of resource allocation decisions and uses techniques such as benefit-cost analysis, life-cycle costing, multi-criteria decision analysis and econometrics to evaluate new technologies. The contact person is David Butry and he may be reached at (301) 975-6136 or by e-mail at david.butry@nist.gov.

b. Smart Grid and Cyber-Physical Systems Program Office. The primary objective is to promote U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness in areas of critical national priority by anticipating and meeting the measurement science and standards needs for cyber-physical systems, such as smart grid, intelligent transportation, smart cities, and Internet of Things, in ways that enhance economic prosperity and improve the quality of life. The contact person is David Wollman and he may be reached at (301) 975-2433 or by e-mail at david.wollman@nist.gov.

c. Materials and Structural Systems Division. The primary objective is to collaborate with or conduct research consistent with the division’s programs in the area of construction materials and infrastructural systems (including safety, security, and sustainability of building and physical infrastructure, service-life performance of engineered materials and nanomaterials, and construction cycle time reductions). In particular, applications for financial assistance are sought that would address the following specific subject areas:

http://www.nist.gov/el mailto:millie.glick@nist.gov mailto:david.butry@nist.gov mailto:david.wollman@nist.gov

(1) Infrastructure Materials: There are emergent concrete degradation mechanisms that originate in the coarse or fine aggregate component of a concrete mixture. These mechanisms may arise from inadequate standardized testing for the specific aggregate mineral features that may lead to expansion and cracking. The measurement challenge is typically associated with aggregate characteristics or the critical quantity of aggregate required to cause damage. The contact person for this division is Jason Averill and he may be reached at (301) 975-2585 or by e-mail at jason.averill@nist.gov.

d. Energy and Environment Division. The primary objective is to collaborate with or conduct research consistent with the laboratory programs in areas related to measurement science needed to enable net zero energy high performance green buildings. The breadth of this area includes measurement science associated with the building envelope, HVAC equipment, renewable and alternative energy systems, building controls/building automation systems, and strategies to improve indoor air quality. In particular, applications for financial assistance are sought that would:

(1) Provide measurement science for net-zero energy, high-performance buildings. Measurement systems, approaches, and predictive models are required that can help to enable net-zero energy, high-performance buildings. A primary objective is to develop measurement methods and approaches, data, and predictive models to assess the effectiveness of building enclosures from a thermal and airtightness perspective, the performance of indoor space conditioning systems, the performance of photovoltaics and other renewable and alternative energy systems, indoor air quality, and water efficiency and quality in buildings. Additionally, an objective is to develop techniques to assess buildings on a whole-building scale. These techniques could involve standards, system interactions, and factors beyond energy use. The contact person is William Healy and he may be reached at (301) 975-4922 or by e-mail at william.healy@nist.gov.

(2) Enable energy-use reduction through embedded intelligence in building controls. Next-generation metrics and tools are needed that enable the development and deployment of building automation and control systems with embedded intelligence that reduce energy consumption through improvements to building system operation. A primary objective is to develop measurement methods, models, and algorithms/tools suitable for embedding in building control system products that enable better or more automated system commissioning, automated fault detection and diagnostics, improved system-level optimization, and integration of building systems with a smart electrical grid. Additionally, an objective is to conduct research that provides a basis mailto:jason.averill@nist.gov mailto:william.healy@nist.gov for new industry standards for embedded intelligence systems. The contact person is Steven Bushby and he may be reached at (301) 975- 5873 or by e-mail at steve.bushby@nist.gov.

(3) Develop metrics/tools for building sustainability evaluation. Next-generation metrics and tools enabling rigorous sustainability assessment over the building service life are needed to link sustainable building technology innovation to environmental/economic benefits. A primary objective is the development of databases and/or models for estimating component and system costs for existing and emerging energy-related technologies in new buildings. Additionally, an objective is to develop techniques for performing life-cycle impact assessments of emerging technologies for achieving low energy and/or net zero energy performance in new buildings. The contact person is David Butry and he may be reached at (301) 975-6136 or by e-mail at david.butry@nist.gov.

e. Systems Integration Division. Measurement science and standards are important to facilitate smart manufacturing solutions to systems integration problems. A primary objective is the development of mathematically sound, model-based, integration standards and new science-based methods and tools for validating compliance to those standards. Topical areas supporting this objective include system architectures; systems engineering; production network integration; service-based manufacturing; manufacturing simulation;

methods and tools for assessing material and energy efficiency; data analytics; machine learning; uncertainty quantification; systems assurance methods and tools; model-based engineering, including multi-physics modeling, process modeling, requirements modeling, information modeling, material modeling, assembly modeling, sustainability modeling, and model composability and compositionality. The contact person is Vijay Srinivasan and he may be reached at (301) 975-3508 or by e-mail at vijay.srinivasan@nist.gov.

f. Intelligent Systems Division. The primary objective is to collaborate with or conduct research consistent with Division programs and research in measurement science for intelligent systems. Areas of particular interest include performance metrics, measurement methods and tools, test artifacts, and associated reference data and software for:

(1) Robotic systems for smart manufacturing (including measurement science for perception, dexterous manipulation and grasping, mobility, human-robot and robot-robot collaboration, agility, robot system integration, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) for manufacturing robotic applications);

(2) Additive manufacturing (including characterization of additive manufacturing materials; modeling, monitoring, and real-time control of mailto:steve.bushby@nist.gov mailto:david.butry@nist.gov mailto:vijay.srinivasan@nist.gov additive manufacturing processes; and measurement science supporting the qualification of additive manufacturing materials, machines and processes, and parts);

(3) Sensing, prognostics, and health management (PHM) for smart manufacturing, including AI applications for PHM;

(4) Industrial wireless networking in factory environments;

(5) Industrial control system cybersecurity; and

(6) Emergency response robot performance metrics and standards.

Additional information regarding Intelligent Systems Division research programs and projects can be found at www.nist.gov/el/isd. The contact person for this division is Albert Wavering and he may be reached at (301) 975-3418 or by e-mail at albert.wavering@nist.gov.

5. Fire Research (FR) Grant Program

The statutory authority for the FR Grant Program is 15 U.S.C. § 272(b)(4), 15 U.S.C. § 278f, 15 U.S.C. § 278g-1(e)(1) and (e)(3) and 15 U.S.C. § 278n-1.

Program Description: The FR Grant Program provides financial assistance to in areas of current interest to the Fire Research Division. The Fire Research Division develops, verifies, and utilizes measurements and predictive methods to quantify the behavior of fire and means to reduce the impact of fire on people, property, and the environment. This work involves integration of laboratory measurements, verified methods of prediction, and large-scale fire experiments to demonstrate the use and value of the research products. Details on current Division research activities are available at http://www.nist.gov/el/fire_research/index.cfm. Also, NIST SP 1130 “Reducing the Risk of Fire in Buildings and Communities: A Strategic Roadmap to Guide and Prioritize Research” provides an overview of current research interests:

http://www.nist.gov/manuscript-publication-search.cfm?pub_id=909653. The contact person for the FR Grant Program is Dr. Jiann Yang and he may be reached at (301) 975-6662 or by e-mail at jiann.yang@nist.gov..

All applications submitted must be in accordance with the program objectives listed below. The appropriate FR Program Manager for each FR field of research described in this Section may be contacted for clarification of the program objectives.

(1) Fire Fighting Technology Group. Develops, advances, and deploys measurement science to improve fire fighting safety and effectiveness, and provide a science-based understanding of fire phenomena. Carries out mission-related measurement science research and services to advance http://www.nist.gov/el/isd mailto:albert.wavering@nist.gov http://www.nist.gov/el/fire_research/index.cfm http://www.nist.gov/manuscript-publication-search.cfm?pub_id=909653 mailto:jiann.yang@nist.gov cyber-physically-based (smart) fire fighting, technology integration into fire-fighting equipment, and physics-based training tools that predict fire phenomena and their effects on structures and occupants and conducts disaster and failure studies to reduce the risk of fire hazard to buildings and fire fighters. The contact person for this group is Anthony Putorti and he may be reached at (301)-975-8615 or by e-mail at anthony.putorti@nist.gov.

(2) Engineered Fire Safety Group. Develops, advances, and deploys measurement science for cost-effective fire protection of structures.

Carries out mission-related measurement science research and services to predict the fire performance of structures with respect to ignition fire growth and spread, detection, suppression, toxicity, and egress; develops cost-effective performance-based codes, standards, and practices used for fire prevention and control; and conducts disaster and failure studies to reduce the risk of fire hazard to buildings and occupants. The contact person for this group is Thomas Cleary and he may be reached at (301) 975-6858 or by e-mail at thomas.cleary@nist.gov.

(3) Flammability Reduction Group. Develops, advances, and deploys measurement science to reduce the fire hazard of building contents and construction materials. Carries out mission-related measurement science research and services to reduce material ignition probability, fire growth and spread, and environmental impacts; and supports development of codes and standards for cost-effective, fire-safe building contents and construction materials. The contact person for this group is Rick Davis and he may be reached at (301) 975-5901 or by email at rick.davis@nist.gov.

(4) Wildland Urban Interface Fire Group. Develops, advances, and deploys measurement science to reduce the risk of fire spread in wildland-urban interface (WUI) communities. Carries out mission-related measurement science research and services to develop risk exposure metrics, predict the spread of fires in WUI communities, assess fire performance of structures and communities, mitigate the impact of WUI fires on structures and communities, and conduct disaster and failure studies to reduce the risk of fire hazard in WUI communities. The contact person for this group is Jiann Yang and he may be reached at (301) 975-6662 or by e-mail at jiann.yang@nist.gov.

6. Information Technology Laboratory (ITL) Grant Program

The statutory authority for the ITL Grant Program is 15 U.S.C. § 272(b) and (c), 15 U.S.C. § 278g-1(e)(1) and (e)(3), and 15 U.S.C. § 278n-1.

mailto:anthony.putorti@nist.gov mailto:thomas.cleary@nist.gov mailto:rick.davis@nist.gov mailto:jiann.yang@nist.gov

Program Description: The mission of the Information Technology Laboratory (ITL) is to cultivate trust in information technology (IT) and metrology and is accomplished using its world-class measurement and testing facilities and encompassing a wide range of areas of computer science, mathematics, statistics, and systems engineering.

The ITL Grant Program provides financial assistance to support the conduct of research or a recipient’s portion of collaborative research consistent with the ITL’s missions to support research in the following fields: Advanced Network Technologies, Applied and Computational Mathematics, Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, Biometrics, Cloud Computing, Cyber-Physical Systems, Cybersecurity, Forensic Science, Health Information Technology, Human Factors and Usability, Information Access, Information Processing and Understanding, Internet of Things (IoT), Metrology Infrastructure for Modeling and Simulation, Privacy Engineering, and Statistics for Metrology.

Additional information about the ITL and ITL Programs may be obtained at www.nist.gov/itl.

Financial support may be provided to attend education and outreach programs, conferences, workshops, or other technical research meetings that are relevant to the mission of the ITL. Financial support may also be provided to organizations sponsoring conferences, workshops, or other technical events that are relevant to the mission of the ITL. However, NIST cannot be an official sponsor or co-sponsor for any event funded through this program.

All applications submitted to the ITL Grant Program must be in accordance with the program objectives listed below. The contact person for the ITL Grant Program, who may be contacted for clarification of program objectives, is Carol Clark and she may be reached at (301) 975-2239 or by e-mail at carol.clark@nist.gov.

http://www.nist.gov/itl mailto:carol.clark@nist.gov

a. Advanced Network Technologies Division (ANTD) provides expertise in Network Science and Engineering. ANTD develops knowledge about networks to understand their complexity and inform their future design. It seeks to discover and understand common principles and fundamental structures underlying networks and their behaviors. ANTD studies the processes underlying networks evolution and the paradigms for network engineering to enhance their efficiency, reliability, security, and robustness.

ANTD responds to national priorities with programs in Internet Infrastructure Protection, Cloud Computing, Next Generation Internet (NGI), and several joint-projects such as Smart Grid, Smart Manufacturing, and Localization.

Specific objectives of interest in these areas of research include: Advanced Distributed Denial of Service Detection and Mitigation Techniques; Graph Theory and Network Science; Information Centric Networking; Internet Inter- Domain Routing Robustness; Measurement Science for Complex Networked Information Systems; Network Anomaly Detection/Evaluation; Network Function Virtualization/Software Defined Networking; Network Programming;

Next Generation Internet Architectures; Secure Communications for Cloud;

Secure Distributed Computation; Secure Domain Name System Technologies; and Trusted Ad Hoc Networks.

b. Applied and Computational Mathematics Division (ACMD) uses applied mathematics and scientific computing to solve numerous problems. As a part of this work, ACMD develops mathematical and computational techniques and tools that have wide application in science and technology. The use of such state-of-the-art techniques and carefully validated tools helps build trust in measurement science and scientific computing, which are both essential for industrial innovation. Specific objectives of interest in these areas of research include: Computational Biology; Computational Materials Science;

Mathematics of Special Functions; Measurement Science for Complex Networked Information Systems; Quantum Information Science; and Scientific Visualization.

c. Applied Cybersecurity Division (ACD) implements practical cybersecurity and privacy through outreach and effective application of standards and best practices necessary for the U.S. to adopt cybersecurity capabilities. ACD establishes cybersecurity standards and guidelines in an open, transparent, and collaborative way; provides cybersecurity testing and measurement (from developing test suits and methods to validating cryptographic modules); and conducts research in applied cybersecurity. Specific objectives of interest in these areas of research include: Cybersecurity Awareness, Training, Education, and Workforce Development; Cybersecurity Risk Management and Measurement Techniques; Mobile Platform and Application Security;

Mobility and Mobile App Security; and Privacy Engineering and Risk Management.

d. Computer Security Division (CSD) develops cybersecurity standards, guidelines, tests, and metrics to protect federal information systems. CSD helps to develop innovative security technologies that enhance the nation’s ability to address current and future computer and information security challenges. CSD’s research focuses on cryptography, automation, identity and access management, the Internet of Things, and public safety networks.

The Division maintains a Computer Security Resource Center (CSRC), which provides access to NIST's cybersecurity- and information security-related projects, publications, news, and events. Specific objectives of interest in these areas of research include: Cryptography and Cryptographic Test Methods; Light Weight Cryptography; Post Quantum Cryptography; Security Testing Tools and Metrics; Semantics; Service Oriented Architecture; Privacy Enhancing Cryptography, Entropy Assessment; Cybersecurity Conformance Testing; Security Automation; and Security Engineering.

e. Information Access Division (IAD) supports technologies used to access potentially complex information from multimedia devices or biometric devices, such as digital video recording systems or iris scanners. Through collaborations with industry, academia, and the federal government, IAD enables the advancement of these technologies for commercial usage. IAD provides standards and measurements to accelerate this evolution. IAD not only helps complex technologies grow but also tests them to ensure they are used correctly and efficiently. Specific objectives of interest in these areas of research include: Biometrics for Search, Verification and Clustering of Identity; Computer Vision/Video Analytics; Data Analytics; Data Storage, Preservation, Query, Indexing, and Access Technology; Device Identity and Authentication for People, Devices, and Processes; Distributed File Systems;

Human Language Technology; Image Analysis; Search and Retrieval Algorithms.

f. Software and Systems Division (SSD) works with industry, academia and other government agencies to accelerate the development and adoption of correct, reliable and testable software. This collaborative effort leads to increased trust and confidence in deployed software and methods to develop better standards and testing tools. SSD focuses on advances in state-of-the-art software testing and facilitates the transfer of applications and technologies into national infrastructures and commercial sectors. Specific objectives of interest in these areas of research include: Digital Forensics;

Data Analytics; Data Storage; Distributed File Systems; IoT for Health Applications; Medical Device Interoperability; Service Oriented Architecture;

Software Assurance for Small Applications and Devices; Systems Biology;

Systems Interoperability; Voting Systems Standards.

g. Statistical Engineering Division (SED) conducts fundamental and applied statistical research on problems in metrology; develops and applies best practices for the characterization of measurement uncertainty, in particular to enable the intercomparison of measurements in the context of interlaboratory studies and calibrations; and implements methods and techniques for experimental design, data analysis, statistical modeling and probabilistic inference in computer software. Specific objectives of interest in these areas of research include: Statistical Methods in Forensic Science; and Statistics for Metrology.

7. International and Academic Affairs Office (IAAO) Grant Program

The statutory authority for the IAAO Grant Program is 15 U.S.C. § 272(b) and (c).

Program Description: The IAAO Grant Program has been designed to support activities that strengthen and enhance the international metrology community, and promote U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness in support of the NIST mission. NIST seeks to promote the efforts of International Organizations with a metrology mission, Regional Metrology Organizations, National Metrology Institutes and Designated Institutes to bolster the global metrology system and regional metrology cooperation and enhance quality infrastructure. The IAAO Grant Program will support scientific, industrial and/or legal metrology activities and related quality infrastructure endeavors with an emphasis on the Western Hemisphere, Asia Pacific and Africa. Financial support may be provided for conferences, workshops, or other technical meetings that are relevant to the mission of the IAAO. However, NIST cannot be an official sponsor or co-sponsor for any event funded through this program. Additional information about the IAAO and IAAO Programs may be obtained at http://nist.gov/iaao/. All applications submitted to the IAAO Grant Program must be in accordance with the program objectives listed above. The contact person for the IAAO Grant Program, who may be contacted for clarification of the program objectives, is Claire Saundry http://nist.gov/iaao/ and she may be reached at (301) 975-2386 or by e-mail at csaundry@nist.gov.

8. Material Measurement Laboratory (MML) Grant Program

The statutory authority for the MML Grant Program is 15 U.S.C. § 272(b) and (c)

Program Description:

The MML supports the NIST mission by serving as the national reference laboratory for measurements in the chemical, biological, and material sciences. The MML is entrusted with developing, maintaining, advancing, and enabling measurement systems in these areas for the nation. The MML’s activities range from fundamental and applied research on the composition, structure, and properties of industrial, biological, and environmental materials and processes to the development and dissemination of certified reference materials, critically evaluated data and other programs that help assure measurement quality.

The MML Grant Program provides financial assistance to support the conduct of research or a recipient’s portion of collaborative research in the following fields: materials science and engineering, materials measurement science, biosystems and biomaterials, biomolecular measurements, chemical sciences, and applied chemicals and materials.

All applications submitted to the MML Grant Program must be in accordance with the program objectives set forth below. The appropriate MML Program Manager for each MML field of research described in this section may be contacted for clarification of the program objectives. The MML Grant Program contact person is Bill Clark and he may be reached at (303) 497-3268 or by e-mail at william.clark@nist.gov.

a. MML Office. Financial support may be provided for education and outreach programs, conferences, workshops, or other technical research meetings that are relevant to the mission of the MML. Financial support may also be provided to organizations sponsoring conferences, workshops, or other technical events that are relevant to the mission of the MML. However, NIST cannot be an official sponsor or co-sponsor for any event funded through this program. The contact person for this office is Bill Clark and he may be reached at (303) 497-3268 or by e-mail at william.clark@nist.gov.

b. Office of Data and Informatics. The primary objective is to support researchers and institutions in the biological, chemical, and materials sciences who need to leverage both large and information-rich data sets now mailto:csaundry@nist.gov mailto:william.clark@nist.gov mailto:william.clark@nist.gov common in many disciplines. The division supports National needs such as the Materials Genome Initiative (MGI) and biological and chemical data integration, as well as the modernization of current Standard Reference Data for use in state-of-the-art computer paradigms (i.e., virtual computing, parallel analysis, interoperability, semantic web, etc.) and the development of next generation NIST reference data services. The division also facilitates the MML's adherence to the government open-data policy by providing guidance and assistance in the best practices for archiving and annotating research and data outputs. The Office of Data and Informatics (ODI) identifies, coordinates, integrates, and builds the capabilities needed to meet data challenges and leverage data-driven research opportunities (including Big Data and data.gov), particularly those that relate to the biological, chemical, and materials science communities within the MML. As a service-oriented organization, the ODI adds value to data activities by providing guidance, assistance, and resources for optimizing the discoverability, usability, and interoperability of data products in ways that support NIST scientists and stakeholders. In addition, by fostering collaboration and coordination among MML domain experts and other data specialists at NIST, the ODI supports MML research programs where advanced manipulation, visualization, and analysis of large data sets are needed to advance knowledge. The contact person for this division is Robert Hanisch; he may be reached at (301) 975- 3463 or by e-mail at robert.hanisch@nist.gov.

c. Materials Science and Engineering Division. The primary objective is to collaborate or conduct research consistent with division programs that provide the measurement science, standards, technology, instrumentation, and data required to support the Nation’s need to design, develop, manufacture, and use materials. Division programs include the following: measurement methods, data, standards, and science that support the development of synthetic polymeric materials with controlled molecular structures; polymeric materials in energy, water, and electronics applications; the development of complex fluids, formulations, emulsions, and dispersions; thin films and nanostructures processing of metals and electronic materials; advanced magnetic materials and devices; the mechanical properties of advanced materials, such as high strength steel and aluminum alloys, under extreme environmental and operating conditions; the development of thermodynamic and kinetic models, density functional theory calculations, measurements and data to predict phase transformations, microstructure evolution, and properties of advanced materials; the development of additive manufacturing processes for metallic and polymeric materials; and foster the development and use of infrastructure and tools to support the production, availability, and discovery of materials data. The contact person for this division is Mark VanLandingham and he may be reached at (301) 975-8795 or by e-mail at mark.vanlandingham@nist.gov.

mailto:robert.hanisch@nist.gov mailto:mark.vanlandingham@nist.gov

d. Materials Measurement Science Division. The primary objective is to collaborate or conduct research consistent with division programs in support of measurement science, measurement standards, and measurement technology required to enable world-leading characterization of advanced materials in support of the nation’s needs for determining the composition, structure, and properties of materials. The division develops state-of-the-art instrumentation, methods, models and software to accurately and precisely measure materials over a range of length and time scales. The division provides benchmarking and validation of emerging materials analysis methods, and disseminates reference materials, standards and scientific data to foster innovation and advance a wide range of technologies. Division programs include: advanced microscopies, microanalysis and imaging;

nanomaterials and nanodevice research; solid sorbents characterization;

nanocalorimetry; high throughput materials science; energy conversion materials; nanomechanical properties; synchrotron science for materials characterization; materials structure and dynamics; modeling and predicting materials structure and properties; chemical detection technologies and standards for forensics and homeland security applications; and materials science and standards for law enforcement equipment and technologies.

The contact person for this division is Dave Holbrook and he may be reached at (301) 975-5202 or by email at dave.holbrook@nist.gov.

e. Biosystems and Biomaterials Division. The primary objective is to collaborate with or conduct research consistent with division projects in measurement science, standards, and technology to build confidence in quantitative biology and foster responsible biotechnology innovation. The Division supports quantitative measurement and standardization for methods such as bioimaging, flow cytometry, genomic and metagenomic measurements, as well as the design and validation of bioassays. The Division further supports the development of advanced measurement capabilities and integration of AI/ML to accelerate quantitative and/or predictive biology. Current priorities include precision measurements and predictive engineering of biological systems to support precision medicine, cell-based manufacturing, and other new technologies enabled by genome editing. This includes measurements pertinent to method validation for bioassays, genome sequencing measurements of complex cellular systems and other biological entities via genomic, transcriptomics, proteomic, cell identification, cell enumeration, biological activity/function, as well as measurement assurance strategies for these measurements, cell enumeration, function, as well as assurance strategies. The contact person for this division is Sheng Lin-Gibson and she may be reached at (301) 975- 6765 or by email at sheng.lin-gibson@nist.gov.

mailto:dave.holbrook@nist.gov mailto:sheng.lin-gibson@nist.gov

f. Biomolecular Measurement Division. The primary objective is to collaborate with or conduct research consistent with the division activities in measurement science, standards, technology, and data required to support the nation’s needs in determining the composition, structure, quantity, and function of biomolecules. In partnership with U.S. industry, government agencies, and scientific institutions, the division performs fundamental and applied research on the measurement of macromolecules such as proteins and nucleic acids, as well as peptides, glycans, metabolites, lipids, and natural products. Specific areas of interest include development of measurement methods, standards, reference data, and technologies for applications involving clinical diagnostics for healthcare; characterization, development, and manufacturing of biotherapeutics; proteomics, metabolomics, and drug discovery; and genetic testing in agriculture, law enforcement, and clinical diagnostics. The contact person for this division is Michael Tarlov and he may be reached at (301) 975-2058 or by email at michael.tarlov@nist.gov.

g. Chemical Sciences Division. The primary objective is to collaborate with or conduct research consistent with the division activities in support of the measurement science, reference standards, technology, data and chemical informatics required to support the nation’s needs in the determination of chemical composition and chemical structure of organic, and inorganic species in the gas and condensed phases, and in the measurement of a wide variety of physicochemical properties and processes, including chemical reactivity and mechanisms, as well as thermochemical and kinetics properties. In partnership with U.S. industry, government agencies, and academic scientific institutions, the division performs fundamental and applied research to advance and create state-of-the-art chemical measurement capabilities, theory and computational methods for quantitative measurements, and sensing of solids, liquids, gases, plasmas, transient species, and multicomponent matrices. The division also formulates and disseminates reference materials and measurement standards, and critically evaluates reference data. These activities support the chemical science, technology, and engineering enterprise with the intent of fostering innovation and confidence in measurements and technologies used in a wide range of applications, including chemical analysis, environmental and greenhouse gas emissions, clinical health assessment, food and nutritional assessment, sensing, manufacturing, and energy transformation. The contact person for this division is Carlos Gonzalez and he may be reached at (301) 975-2483 or by e-mail at carlos.gonzalez@nist.gov.

h. Applied Chemicals and Materials Division. The primary objective is to collaborate with or conduct research consistent with division programs in the measurement science, standards, technology, instrumentation, models and mailto:michael.tarlov@nist.gov…