The NIST Advanced Technology Program (ATP, or NIST ATP) is a United States Government (US Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology) program designed to simulate early stage advanced technology development that would otherwise not be fundable1. ATP unique in that it is designed for early stage research in industry, not academia, though it supported academia indirectly (as subcontractors or collaborators in projects). It funded projects deeply, but with many strings attachedcitation needed. It was a child of the Clinton administration in the 90's with special legislation enacted and implemented in the Code of Federal Regulation Title 15, Volume 1, Parts 0 to 2992 The Bush administration repeatedly recommended its termination3 and the program was suspended in 2005 with the White House working with the Administration and Congress to terminate this program. This was completed on August 9, 2007 when the President signed the America COMPETES Act (H.R. 2272; Public Law Number 110-69), which repealed the Advanced Technology Program-enabling legislation.
Technology Innovation Program
A new, successor program was enacted but not funded, called the NIST Technology Innovation Program. The Technology Innovation Program (TIP) was established for the purpose of assisting U.S. businesses and institutions of higher education or other organizations, such as national laboratories and nonprofit research institutes, to support, promote, and accelerate innovation in the United States through high-risk, high-reward research in areas of critical national need. TIP is aimed at speeding the development of high-risk, transformative research targeted to address key societal challenges4. Funding could be provided to industry (small and medium-sized businesses), universities, and consortia for research on potentially revolutionary technologies for meeting critical national needs that present high technical risks—with commensurate high rewards if successful. The primary mechanism for this support would be cost-shared research grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts awarded on the basis of merit competitions. FeaturesThe major features of the Technology Innovation Program are established in the authorizing legislation. Some highlights:
Additional detailsTo read the legislation authorizing the Technology Innovation Program, see P.L.110-69, Sec. 3012 Technology Innovation Program. On March 7, 2008, NIST published a notice in the Federal Register requesting comments on proposed regulations which implement the TIP. The proposed regulation prescribe policies and procedures for the award of financial assistance (grants and/or cooperative agreements) under TIP. References
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