Expanding Partnerships for Innovation and Competitiveness Act
Sponsored By: Senator Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE]
Introduced
Summary
Establishes a nonprofit Foundation for Standards and Metrology to speed up measurement science, the development of technical standards, and the commercialization of emerging technologies in partnership with the National Institute of Standards and Technology and outside groups. This new body would link researchers, universities, industry, nonprofits, and philanthropies to push standards work that supports U.S. economic security and innovation.
Show full summary
- Researchers and students: The Foundation would offer fellowships, grants, stipends, training, and other direct support to NIST associates and affiliated researchers to expand research capacity and facility use.
- Industry, standards bodies, and philanthropies: It would convene public and private stakeholders, accept donations, and back projects that move federally funded research toward market use while setting donor disclosure and conflict rules.
- NIST and oversight: The Foundation would be independent of the federal government, governed by an 11-member voting Board, able to transfer funds and property to NIST, and required to publish annual reports, audits, and a Comptroller General review within 5 years.
*Would authorize annual federal transfers of $0.5 million to $1.3 million to the Foundation beginning in fiscal year 2026.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Fellowships and supports for NIST associates
The bill would let the Foundation give fellowships, grants, stipends, travel, health insurance, training, housing help, awards, and administrative support to NIST associates. These supports would apply to guest researchers, facility users, volunteers, and other nonemployees working with NIST. The Foundation could use these tools to help people do research and commercialize technology.
Annual audits, public reports, and review
This bill would require the Foundation to publish a first report within 18 months and annual reports by February 1 thereafter. Reports must describe activities, operations, and list all donors and any gift restrictions. The Foundation would have yearly financial audits and must let the Secretary and the Comptroller General review records. Not later than five years after start-up, the Comptroller General must evaluate the Foundation and give recommendations to Congress.
New NIST foundation and funding
This bill would create a private nonprofit called the Foundation for Standards and Metrology to support NIST work. Starting in fiscal year 2026, the NIST Director could transfer at least $500,000 and up to $1,250,000 each year to the Foundation from amounts authorized under section 10211. The Foundation could accept gifts and property and hold federal transfers in a separate account. The Foundation could also give money or property to the Institute, and the Secretary could provide facilities or services if the Director finds it helpful.
Foundation governance, ethics, and limits
The bill would create an 11-member voting Board to run the Foundation and require bylaws on selection, donor limits, conflicts of interest, and IP ownership. The Board would pick an Executive Director who runs day-to-day operations and sets that director's pay. Board members could not be paid but could be reimbursed for expenses, and Department of Commerce employees could not be voting Board members. The Foundation would not be a federal agency and the U.S. would not be liable for its debts.
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Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE]
DE • D
Cosponsors
Sen. Young, Todd [R-IN]
IN • R
Sponsored 4/1/2025
John Hickenlooper
CO • D
Sponsored 4/1/2025
Deb Fischer
NE • R
Sponsored 4/1/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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