The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is an agency that works with people from academia, industry, and state and local governments to advance measurement science, standards, and technology in ways that enhance economic security and improve our quality of life.
What is the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)?
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is a federal agency that promotes commerce and innovation by advancing measurement science, standards, and technology in the United States.
NIST’s mission is to support innovation and industrial competitiveness by providing leadership in measurement science, standards, and technology. NIST’s programs encourage advances in manufacturing, communications, health care, transportation, information technology, energy resources, and many other areas.
NIST is headquartered in Gaithersburg, Maryland, and employs about 2,900 people. The majority of NIST’s employees are scientists and engineers who carry out the agency’s work in laboratories located across the country.
What Does The NIST Do?
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is a non-regulatory agency of the United States Commerce Department that promotes innovation and industrial competitiveness. 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’s programs and activities are organized into five main areas:
-Weights and Measures: Establishing the units of measure used in the United States,
and providing calibration and measurement services to industry and government.
-Standards Services: Developing voluntary technical standards and guidelines,
working with industry to promote their use, and providing conformity assessment services to ensure that products meet these standards.
-Industrial Technology Services: Supporting the advancement of manufacturing technologies in the United States through research,
development, transfer, and assurance programs.
-Information Technology Services: Increasing the trustworthiness of information systems through cybersecurity programs and guidance,
developing standards for electronic health care data interoperability, and advancing measurement science through information technology research.
-Physical Measurement Laboratory: Conducting cutting-edge research in metrology (the science of measurement) to enable advances in science,
Why is the NIST Important?
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is a non-regulatory agency of the United States 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 was founded in 1901 as the National Bureau of Standards (NBS). Its name was changed to NIST in 1988.
Today, NIST scientists work on some of the most pressing challenges facing our nation,
including cybersecurity, disaster resilience, advances in manufacturing, quantum information science and more. They develop voluntary standards and guidelines, conduct cutting-edge research, and provide world-class measurements and technical assistance. All of this helps to keep American industry at the forefront of global innovation.
The work of NIST touches nearly every aspect of our lives—from the clothes we wear and the food we eat to the gadgets we use and the buildings we live in. By helping to ensure that these products and systems are safe,
reliable and efficient, NIST plays a vital role in protecting public health and safety, as well as promoting economic growth.
How is the NIST funded?
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is a non-regulatory federal agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce. NIST’s mission is to promote innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards,
and technology in ways that enhance economic security and improve our quality of life.
NIST is funded through a combination of annual appropriations from Congress and other federal agencies,
as well as contracts and grants from industry, state governments, and other organizations.
Conclusion
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is a federal agency that supports technological innovation and promotes measurement science, standards, and related technology worldwide. We hope this article has helped you understand what the NIST is and how it can help your business. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us and we’ll be happy to help.
