Insider Brief:
- Lawmakers reintroduced the EPIC Act to establish a nonprofit foundation supporting NIST, enabling broader collaboration with industry, academia, and civil society.
- The proposed Foundation for Standards and Metrology would allow NIST to raise private and philanthropic funds, expand cross-sector partnerships, and support workforce development through training, recruitment, and educational initiatives.
- The Act addresses NIST’s role in quantum computing, AI, and other areas by strengthening its capacity to set standards, conduct measurement science, and translate research into commercial applications.
- Despite recent federal budget cuts to NIST, the Act has bipartisan support and backing from former NIST directors and industry leaders, positioning the foundation as a supplementary funding mechanism with built-in oversight.
- Image Credit: NIST
According to a recent post by FedScoop, a bipartisan group of lawmakers has reintroduced the Expanding Partnerships for Innovation and Competitiveness (EPIC) Act, designed to create an independent nonprofit foundation to support the National Institute of Standards and Technology. The legislation, introduced in both chambers of Congress, would support NIST’s capacity to partner with the private sector, academia, and civil society in advancing U.S. innovation and commercialization of emerging technologies.
The proposed Foundation for Standards and Metrology would operate as a Congressionally authorized nonprofit within the Department of Commerce, similar to existing foundations that support the NIH, CDC, USDA, and DOE. According to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, the FSM would provide NIST with increased flexibility to raise private and philanthropic funding, develop cross-sector collaborations, and support workforce development efforts, including training and recruitment.
Expanding NIST’s Role in Tech Commercialization and Standards
NIST is essential in the development of technical standards, measurement science, and metrology—all necessary components for the progression of quantum computing, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and biotechnology. In quantum computing, this includes the calibration of quantum devices, development of quantum benchmarks, and coordination of consensus standards. The EPIC Act is intended to support these efforts by ensuring that NIST has the tools and partnerships needed to accelerate the transition of scientific research into commercial technologies.
The foundation would also support NIST’s educational mission by funding fellowships, awards, and training programs that attract and retain talent in emerging technology sectors. According to a news release and coverage by FedScoop, these initiatives are seen as non-negotiable to maintaining U.S. leadership as there is increasing global competition in science and technology.
Bipartisan and Industry-Endorsed Support
The EPIC Act is co-sponsored in the House by Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Mich.) and Rep. Jay Obernolte (R-Calif.), and in the Senate by Sens. Chris Coons (D-Del.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), and Deb Fischer (R-Neb.). While the previous version of the bill passed out of the House Science Committee in 2023, it did not advance to a floor vote. Its reintroduction comes during a time of federal workforce reductions at NIST and renewed calls for stable, diversified funding.
The bill has received endorsements from a broad coalition of stakeholders. According to the release, four former NIST directors support the legislation, as do leading organizations in quantum, AI, standards development, and public policy. These include the American Physical Society, Carnegie Mellon University, Microsoft, Rigetti Computing, SEMI Americas, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. According to a post detailing the original bill, the Center for AI Policy emphasized that the foundation would help NIST address safety and standard-setting in the face of underfunding, while the Federation of American Scientists called it a “flexible new entity” essential to accelerating commercialization efforts.
Next Steps and Funding Context
As noted in the release, NIST’s operating budget was reduced by approximately 12% in fiscal year 2024 to $1.46 billion. For fiscal year 2025, the agency is operating under a continuing resolution that maintains these levels. Supporters of the EPIC Act stress that the foundation is intended to supplement—not replace—Congressional funding responsibilities. Oversight mechanisms will be implemented to avoid conflicts of interest as public-private collaborations expand.
As the U.S. seeks to secure leadership in strategic technology areas, the EPIC Act is a structural investment in NIST’s long-term capacity. According to Rep. Obernolte, the foundation would help ensure that “industry, non-profits, and academia receive the resources that they need to establish cutting-edge standards that enhances the economic security and prosperity of the U.S.”
