Comments Requested on Plans for National Network of Manufacturing Innovation

May 4, 2012 by Brian Feito|Commerce Dept.

The Advanced Manufacturing National Program Office is requesting comments on the proposed National Network for Manufacturing Innovation (NNMI) program. NNMI would include building a network of up to 15 Institutes for Manufacturing Innovation around the country, serving as regional hubs of manufacturing excellence that will help to make U.S. manufacturers more competitive and encourage investment in the U.S. Each Institute would have a well-defined technology focus to address industrially-relevant manufacturing challenges on a large scale and to provide the capabilities and facilities required to reduce the cost and risk of commercializing new technologies.

Comments are due by October 25, 2012. NIST said it is specifically interested in receiving input pertaining to questions in the following areas: technologies with broad impact; institute structure and governance; strategies for sustainable institute operations; and education and workforce development.

(See ITT's Online Archives 12031224 for summary of announcement of the NNMI program by President Obama, and 12032035 for summary of Commerce Secretary Bryson's remarks on plans for the 1st such Institute.)