NIST's Technology Innovation Program (TIP) Announces First Competition

ASTRA is delighted to report that the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is seeking proposals for high-risk research projects to develop innovative technologies for inspecting, monitoring and evaluating critical components of the nation's roadways, bridges, and drinking and wastewater systems. The competition for cost-shared research and development (R&D) support released today is the first to be announced by NIST's newly established Technology Innovation Program (TIP).

TIP was established by the 2007 America COMPETES Act to support, promote, and accelerate innovation in the United States through high-risk, high-reward research in areas of critical national need.

NIST announced today that, based on FY 2008 funds, it expects to award approximately $9 million in first-year funding for R&D projects. The focus of the awards will be "new, efficient, accurate, low-cost and reliable sensors and related technologies that provide quantitative assessments of the structural integrity or degree of deterioration of bridges, roads, water mains and wastewater collection systems."

Recall, TIP is the successor agency to the Advanced Technology Program (ATP) and it now has more flexible operating procedures. The merit-based TIP competitive program can now fund cost-shared R&D projects by single small-sized or medium-sized businesses and joint ventures that also may include institutions of higher education, non-profit research organizations and national laboratories. TIP awards are limited to no more than $3 million total over three years for a single company project and no more than $9 million total over five years for a joint venture.

While program funding is quite small for this fiscal year, it is important to spread the word about this important new initiative. TIP will be hosting a series of meetings across the country very soon - get the schedule and other details by visiting the TIP Web Site at www.nist.gov/tip