In 2009, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) requested a $638 million budget from the U.S. House of Representatives to support its research and development efforts. This included $634 million for core research and facilities programs and $4 million for the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership. The budget represented a 22% increase over the previous year and was part of the President’s American Competitiveness Initiative and the America COMPETES Act, aimed at boosting U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness.
The funding would support a wide range of scientific research, including advancements in nanotechnology, climate science, earthquake safety, biometrics, and quantum science. NIST also planned to expand its facilities, particularly in Boulder, Colorado, to improve research capabilities in areas like atomic-scale measurements and neutron research. The budget included 17 initiatives, five of which were new, focusing on developing measurement tools, improving infrastructure, and addressing critical national needs such as environmental monitoring, healthcare accuracy, and cybersecurity. Overall, the budget aimed to strengthen U.S. technological leadership and ensure that NIST could continue supporting innovation across various industries.
Source: https://www.nist.gov/speech-testimony/nist-fy-2009-budget-request-house
Keywords: quantum science, measurement science, nanotechnology
