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From automated teller machines and atomic clocks to mammograms and semiconductors, innumerable products and services rely in some way on technology, measurement, and standards provided by the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

Founded in 1901, NIST is a non-regulatory federal agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce. NIST's mission is to promote U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards, and technology in ways that enhance economic security and improve our quality of life.

NIST carries out its mission in four cooperative programs:

  • the NIST Laboratories, conducting research that advances the nation's technology infrastructure and is needed by U.S. industry to continually improve products and services;

  • the Baldrige National Quality Program, which promotes performance excellence among U.S. manufacturers, service companies, educational institutions, health care providers, and nonprofit organizations; conducts outreach programs and manages the annual Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award which recognizes performance excellence and quality achievement;

  • the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership, a nationwide network of local centers offering technical and business assistance to smaller manufacturers; and

  • the Technology Innovation Program, which is planned to provide cost-shared awards to industry, universities and consortia for research on potentially revolutionary technologies that address critical national and societal needs. (Note: This is a newly created program that has been authorized by Congress.)

  • Between 1990 and 2007, NIST also managed the Advanced Technology Program.

NIST's FY 2008 resources total $931.5 million. The agency operates in two locations: Gaithersburg, Md., (headquarters—234-hectare/578-acre campus) and Boulder, Colo., (84-hectare/208-acre campus). NIST employs about 2,900 scientists, engineers, technicians, and support and administrative personnel. Also, NIST hosts about 2,600 associates and facility users from academia, industry, and other government agencies. In addition, NIST partners with 1,600 manufacturing specialists and staff at about 400 MEP service locations around the country.

Our Organization

 NIST: Strengthening U.S. Innovation and Industrial Competitiveness  NIST Boulder, Colo., home page
 Mission, Vision, Core Competencies, and Core Values  Employment Information
 Organizational Chart  NIST Tours

Find a Specific NIST Program

 Learn How NIST Helps Various Industry Sectors  Guide to NIST - short, technical descriptions of NIST projects
 Brief Descriptions of NIST's Major Programs  IT Security @ NIST
 Fact Sheets    

What We Do

 NIST: Did You Know ...  For Kids
 NIST in Your Community  NIST Educational Activities
 NIST in Your House  NIST Photo Gallery
 NIST and Your City  NIST Centennial

Quotes, Speeches, Testimony

 What Others Say About NIST  Speeches by NIST Officials
 Testimony by NIST/DOC officials to Congress    

Impacts, FAQs, Links

 NIST: Did You Know ...  Frequently Asked Questions
 NIST: The Common Denominator  Links to Related Web Sites
 NIST Environmental Policy  Freedom of Information Act procedures

 

See also: NIST Programs, NIST Products and Services, Work With Us, A-Z Subject Index, NIST Home Page

Date created: 11/02/01
Last updated: 08/18/08
Contact: inquiries@nist.gov