The document, presented by Walter G. Copan, Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), outlines the role of NIST in advancing U.S. innovation, economic security, and quality of life through leadership in measurement science, standards, and technology. NIST supports a broad spectrum of scientific research and technological initiatives, operating through major campuses and various collaborative institutes, and is deeply involved in national programs such as advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, disaster resilience, and technology transfer. The agency’s extramural programs and public-private partnerships, like the Manufacturing Extension Partnership and Manufacturing USA, have contributed significantly to U.S. industry competitiveness, job creation, and economic growth.
Central to the document is the Return on Investment (ROI) Initiative, which forms part of the President’s Management Agenda with the cross-agency priority (CAP) goal of improving the transfer of federally funded technologies from lab to market. The initiative seeks to maximize the societal and economic value of the approximately $150 billion annual federal investment in research and development by accelerating technology transfer, fostering private-sector innovation, and enhancing U.S. global competitiveness. The ROI Initiative emphasizes stakeholder engagement, identifies systemic challenges in technology transfer (such as IP management and inconsistent practices), and lays out a structured timeline for actionable reforms. By coordinating efforts among federal agencies, soliciting public input, and implementing modernized practices and policies, NIST aims to unleash American innovation and translate public investment in science and technology into tangible economic and societal benefits.
