2023-NIST-MSE-01-NOFO.pdf

2023-NIST-MSE-01

April 14, 2023

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: New

• Funding Opportunity Number: 2023-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 2023 (FY23) 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. NIST seeks to collaborate with a wide range of organizations and encourages minority-serving institutions of higher education to apply. 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 29

III. Eligibility Information 31

IV. Application and Submission Information 31

V. Application Review Information 43

VI. Federal Award Administration Information 56

VII. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts 64

VIII. Other Information 65

FULL ANNOUNCEMENT TEXT

I. Program Description

NIST’s mission is to drive innovation and industrial competitiveness through measurement science and standards by cultivating a culture of belonging that integrates diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in all ways of working. One component of this mission is NIST’s ongoing effort to develop a diverse, world-class pool of scientists and engineers to engage in NIST's measurement science and standards research, and to support the development of a general population that understands and appreciates measurement science and standards. NIST also seeks to collaborate with a wide range of organizations, including but not limited to minority-serving institutions such as Historically Black colleges and universities, as well as community colleges, in support of NIST's mission.

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), 15 U.S.C. § 278g-1(e)(1) and (e)(3), and Title II, Division B, the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act (Pub. L. 117-167).

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

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.

https://www.nist.gov/baldrige

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 funded research programs, and nonprofit research institutes, as well as research or evaluate the impacts of such transfer and commercialization;

• 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, workforce development activities, 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/nist-mep-competitive-awards-program-cap).

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

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/mep/nist-mep-competitive-awards-program-cap https://www.nist.gov/mep https://www.nist.gov/oam https://www.nist.gov/tpo 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 Sheena Simmons and she may be reached at (301) 975-5020 or by e-mail at sheena.simmons@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), 15 U.S.C. § 278g-1(e)(1) and (e)(3), and Title II, Division B, the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act (Pub. L. 117-167).

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 areas consistent with the interests of NIST research programs including but not limited to bioscience, communications, advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, resilience, quantum information science, etc. Financial support may be provided to organizations to sponsor individual participation in career development and outreach programs in advance of the NIST mission and laboratory priorities.

Financial support may be provided for students to attend education and outreach programs, conferences, workshops, or 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 Stephanie Shaw and she may be reached at (301) 975-2667 or by e-mail atstephanie.shaw@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), 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 http://www.nist.gov/director/adlp.cfm

15 U.S.C. § 278g-1(e)(1) and (e)(3), 15 U.S.C. § 278n-1, 15 U.S.C. § 3706, § 1305 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (Public Law 110- 140), and Title II, Division B, the Research and Development, Competition, and

Innovation Act (Pub. L. 117-167).

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 and connected systems technologies in support of both commercial and government applications including core network technologies, high-speed electronics, superconducting electronics, wireless systems metrology, antenna and Radio- Frequency (RF) capabilities, high-speed and high frequency measurement capabilities, advanced optics, quantum communications, network design and optimization, network modeling, next generation core networks, and spectrum sharing; Internet of Things (IoT), cyber-physical systems, trustworthy network control systems, smart grid, smart connected manufacturing, automated, connected vehicles, smart infrastructure, smart cities and communities, and next generation wireless systems; public safety communications; smart infrastructure and manufacturing; and spectrum sensing and testing.

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 five CTL divisions. The contact person for the CTL Grant Program, who may be contacted for clarification of program objectives, is Suzanne Griesel and she may be reached at (301) 975-2350 or by e-mail at suzanne.griesel@nist.gov and ctlboc@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. However, NIST 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, superconducting electronics, electromagnetic http://www.nist.gov/ctl mailto:suzanne.griesel@nist.gov mailto:ctlboc@nist.gov compatibility, electromagnetic field characterization, antenna metrology, electromagnetic properties of materials, electrical hardware security, and radio-frequency communications systems.

Additional objectives include quantum networks, characterization of microwave circuits at cryogenic temperatures, superconducting integrated circuits for precision measurement and fundamental standards, such as for dc and ac voltage, impedance, signal synthesis, RF reference sources for wireless communications, and both quantum and energy-efficient advanced computing. Methods employed are both experimental and theoretical and include multivariate uncertainty analysis.

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 designed, managed, 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 and trustworthiness of wireless systems.

e. Smart Connected Systems Division. Specific objectives of interest include but are not limited to researching, developing, promoting, measuring, and deploying emerging technologies, standards, and test methods for trustworthy (e.g., reliable, resilient, safe, secure, and privacy-protecting) IoT systems and critical applications including smart grid, smart connected manufacturing, next generation core networks, quantum networks, networked control systems, smart infrastructure and devices, IoT/cyber-physical systems, automated/connected vehicles, and smart cities and communities.

f. Spectrum Technology and Research Division. Specific objectives of interest include but are not limited to research, development, and deployment of innovative measurement methods and tools to promote novel and efficient use of spectrum through improved access, sharing, atmospheric sensing, and precision timing. Additional objectives include the following: wireless co-existence; Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) applied to closed-box systems testing; microwave noise metrology; RF spectrum sensing; fiber optic combs applications in atmospheric spectroscopy, time synchronization, chemical analysis, and telecommunications; and development and deployment of spectrum-efficient and spectrum-sharing technologies, including support of the National Advanced Spectrum and Communications

Test Network (NASCTN).

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 Title II, Division B, the

Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act (Pub. L. 117-167).

Program Description: The EL Grant Program provides financial assistance to support the conduct of research or a recipient’s portion of collaborative research 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 and applied economics. 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.

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

b. 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 infrastructure materials, infrastructure systems, and community resilience. In particular, applications for financial assistance are sought that would address the following specific subject areas:

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.

2) Buildings and Physical Infrastructure: Degradation of construction materials in turn affect performance, structural integrity, resilience, and sustainability of the built environment, and measurement science to quantify the effects of degradation mechanisms on overall service life, structural safety, and resilience of physical systems in the U.S. is still a major challenge. Measurement challenges include accurate characterization of extreme natural hazards (hurricane wind and storm surge, tornado, flood, earthquake), developing risk-consistent design criteria for the built-environment, science-based accounting for long-term climate changes to natural hazards, building and infrastructure performance, and life-cycle prediction.

3) Community Resilience: Community resilience considers the integrated performance of buildings and infrastructure systems for hazard events and under adverse conditions, and the consequences and impacts on populations, social systems, and economics of a community or region, for a forward-looking time period. Measurement challenges include integrated modeling of physical, social, economic, and natural systems; metrics and indicators at a community scale for decision makers; economic assessments of costs and benefits over a future specified time period; and methods to address long-term climate changes to natural hazards.

The contact person for this division is Therese McAllister and she may be reached at (301) 975-6078 or by e-mail at therese.mcallister@nist.gov .

c. Building Energy and Environment Division. The primary objective is to collaborate with or conduct research consistent with the laboratory programs mailto:therese.mcallister@nist.gov in areas related to measurement science needed to enable energy-efficient, 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, building water 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 energy-efficient, 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 for new industry standards for embedded intelligence systems. The contact person is William Healy and he may be reached at (301) 975-4922 or by e-mail at william.healy@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 mailto:william.healy@nist.gov file:///C:/Users/gamber/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/INetCache/Content.Outlook/FGM1I6ED/william.healy@nist.gov 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.

d. Systems Integration Division. The primary objective is to collaborate with or conduct research consistent with Division programs and research in measurement science for advanced manufacturing systems integration. Areas of particular interest include integration standards and new science-based methods and tools for validating compliance to those standards, performance metrics, measurement methods and tools, test artifacts, and associated reference data and software for:

(1) Circular Economy for manufacturing (including measurements and standards for systems integration related to sustainable manufacturing and circular economy, methods and standards for design for the circular economy, modeling, and simulation analysis);

(2) Additive manufacturing (including data collection and processing;

modeling and monitoring of additive manufacturing processes; and measurement science supporting the qualification of additive manufacturing machines, processes, and parts);

(3) Digital twin (including measurement science, methods, and tools for integrating, testing, and validating digital twins); and

(4) Biomanufacturing (including systems integration for biomanufacturing supply chain, integration methods and standards).

Additional information regarding Intelligent Systems Integration Division research programs and projects can be found at www.nist.gov/el/sid. The contact person for this division is KC Morris who may be reached at 301-975-

8286 or by e-mail at katherine.morris@nist.gov.

e. 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 mailto:david.butry@nist.gov file:///C:/Users/gamber/Downloads/www.nist.gov/el/sid mailto:katherine.morris@nist.gov

Artificial Intelligence (AI) for manufacturing robotic applications);

(2) Additive manufacturing (including characterization of additive manufacturing materials; modeling, monitoring, and real-time control of additive manufacturing processes; and measurement science supporting the qualification of additive manufacturing materials, machines and processes, and parts); and

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

(4) 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. Successful proposals are typically well aligned with the current and ongoing measurement science research projects of the division. The contact person for this division is Kevin Jurrens and he may be reached at (301) 975-5486 or by e-mail at kevin.jurrens@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), 15 U.S.C. § 278n-1 and Title II, Division B, the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act

(Pub. L. 117-167).

Program Description: The FR Grant Program provides financial assistance to support the conduct of research or a recipient’s portion of collaborative research 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 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 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.

a. 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 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.

b. 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.

c. 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; research to understand the risk of firefighters being exposed to per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS); and supports development of regulations, codes and standards for cost-effective, fire-safe building contents and construction materials, and reducing firefighter's exposure to PFAS.

d. 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.

e. National Fire Research Laboratory Group. Develops, advances, and deploys measurement science to reduce the risk of structural fires. Carries out mission-related measurement science research and services to understand the performance of structures exposed to fire, create new data to advance performance-based design approaches, and develop new large-scale fire metrology.

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), 15 U.S.C. § 278n-1 and Title II, Division B, the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act (Pub. L. 117-

167).

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: Applied and Computational Mathematics, Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, Biometrics, Cloud Computing, Cyber-Physical Systems, Cybersecurity, Forensic Science, Health Information Technology, High-Performance Computing, 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 Melissa Banner and she may be reached by e-mail at melissa.banner@nist.gov.

http://www.nist.gov/itl mailto:melissa.banner@nist.gov

a. Artificial Intelligence Program: NIST contributes to the research, standards, data, test, and evaluation required to realize the full promise of artificial intelligence (AI) as a tool that will enable American innovation, enhance economic security and improve our quality of life. Much of NIST AI work focuses on cultivating trust in the design, development, use and governance of artificial intelligence technologies and systems. The development and utility of trustworthy AI systems depend heavily on reliable measurements and evaluations of underlying technologies and their use. Specific topics of interest include foundational research on examining, measuring, and understanding the tradeoff among various aspects of trustworthy AI systems, which include valid and reliable, safe, secure and resilient, accountable and transparent, exp0lainable and interpretable, privacy enhanced, and fair with their harmful biases managed.

b. Applied and Computational Mathematics Division (ACMD) nurtures trust in metrology and scientific computing through the development and application of advanced mathematical and computational techniques and tools. Current topics of interest include: the Mathematics of Special Functions; Machine Learning for Scientific Applications; Neuromorphic Computing; Quantum Information Science;

Combinatorial Methods; and Modeling of Internet of Things for Health Applications.

c. Applied Cybersecurity Division (ACD) implements practical cybersecurity and privacy through outreach and effective application of standards, guidelines and ACD establishes cybersecurity standards practices in an open, transparent, and collaborative way, 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; Cybersecurity Measurement; Identity and Access Management; Internet of Things Cybersecurity, Privacy Engineering; and Cybersecurity and Privacy of Genomics Data.

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, supply chain risk management, cybersecurity metrics, and cryptographic conformance testing. 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; Thresh hold cryptography; Post Quantum Cryptography; Security Testing Tools and Metrics; Vulnerability Semantics;

Privacy Enhancing Cryptography; Cybersecurity Conformance Testing; Security Automation; and Security Engineering.

e. Information Access Division (IAD) supports technologies used to access complex information relating to human action, behavior, communication, or characteristics. Through collaborations with industry, academia, and the federal government, IAD enables the advancement of these technologies for commercial use. IAD provides guidelines and measurement methods to accelerate this evolution. Specific objectives of interest in these areas of research include:

Measurement approaches for trustworthy and responsible AI; Biometrics for Fusion Quality and Identity; Audio/Image/Video Analytics and Analysis; Data Quality for Analytics and Machine Learning; Usability of Cybersecurity and Privacy; Human Language Technology; Natural Language Processing; and Search and Retrieval Algorithms including Query and Indexing Technology and Large Language Models.

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 Artificial Intelligence, Digital Forensics; Data Analytics; Data Storage; Cloud Computing; Health IT; High-Performance Computing; Image Analytics; IoT for Health Applications; Material Genome Initiative; Medical Device Interoperability; Software Assurance; Systems Biology;

Systems Interoperability.

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; Statistics for Metrology;

Statistical Aspects of Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence; and Access to Statistical Analysis Methods via Software.

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) and Title II, Division B, the Research and Development, Competition, and

Innovation Act (Pub. L. 117-167).

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 (in-person and virtual) 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 www.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 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),15 U.S.C. § 278g-1(e)(1) and (e)(3), and Title II, Division B, the Research and

Development, Competition, and Innovation Act (Pub. L. 117-167).

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.

http://www.nist.gov/iaao mailto:csaundry@nist.gov

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 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 ODI also is leading a NIST-wide initiative called the Research Data Framework, which aims to document the research data ecosystem and provide a guide to organizations and individuals with a role in research data management. 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.

mailto:william.clark@nist.gov mailto:william.clark@nist.gov mailto: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 advance materials technology and manufacturing processes, enabling those engaged in the materials science and engineering enterprise to create innovative, successful products that solve problems in areas such as microelectronics, transportation, civil infrastructure, biopharmaceuticals, energy, and the environment. Division programs support the development and application of soft materials, metal alloys, and inorganic functional materials to include: multi-phase fluids and gels along with constituent components such as polymeric molecules, nanoparticles, colloids, and fibers;

the processing and manufacturing of polymers into functional forms that include thin films, nanostructures, and shaped bulk solids; the physical, chemical, and mechanical properties of solid polymers; the electrical, chemical, and magnetic properties of nanostructured inorganic materials including magnetic thin films and nanoparticles, and 2-dimensional topological materials; electrochemical and surface science measurements and models for advancing wet chemical manufacturing and sustainable energy conversion technologies; mechanical properties and performance of advanced metal alloys, particularly as related to thermo-mechanical processing/manufacturing and application-relevant operating conditions; thermodynamic, physical property, and kinetic data, models, and associated experimental techniques, including density functional theory and interatomic potential calculations, and methods and data to predict phase transformations, microstructure evolution, and properties of advanced materials; additive manufacturing processes for metallic and polymeric materials; and infrastructure and tools to support the production, availability, and discovery of materials data including automated experimentation and artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) methods.

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.

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.