U.S. Sens. Todd Young (R-IN) and Deb Fischer (R-NE) on July 8 cosponsored a bipartisan bill that would establish a nonprofit foundation for the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to improve and expand research, commercialization, and standard setting for emerging technologies.
The Expanding Partnerships for Innovation and Competitiveness (EPIC) Act, S. 4639, which is sponsored by U.S. Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE), would enable public-private collaboration by establishing a Foundation for Standards and Metrology at NIST, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers.
“Maintaining and encouraging research and development in the U.S. is critical to winning the technological race against China and other adversaries,” Sen. Young said. “Our bipartisan legislation will support these efforts by establishing an independent foundation to identify and foster innovative public-private partnerships across the country and strengthen the American economy.”
Specifically, S. 4639 would establish the nonprofit foundation to mobilize private and philanthropic funding to support critical scientific and technical initiatives; collaborate more closely with the private sector, nonprofit organizations, and institutions of higher education; and train the emerging technology workforce of the future, the summary says.
Similar foundations have been established to support the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of Energy, and other federal agencies, averaging a return of $67 for every $1 in federal contributions, states the summary.
“America should leverage every possible resource to stay ahead of adversaries like China,” said Sen. Fischer. “Our bill will encourage public-private collaboration to keep the United States at the forefront of emerging technologies, including AI, cybersecurity, advanced computing, and more. A bipartisan coalition in Congress recognizes the need for our legislation, and I look forward to advancing the EPIC Act in the Senate.”
S. 4639 has garnered support from numerous entities, including four former NIST directors, the Semiconductor Industry Association, the Institute for Progress, the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, and the Center for AI Policy, among others.
U.S. Reps. Haley Stevens (D-MI) and Jay Obernolte (R-CA) introduced a companion bill in their chamber that unanimously passed the U.S. House Science, Space, and Technology Committee.