GAITHERSBURG, MD, September 11-The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is soliciting suggestions on areas of critical national and societal needs that could be addressed by transformative new technologies. The suggestions will be considered for incorporation in future competitions for cost-shared research and development (R&D) funding under the NIST Technology Innovation Program (TIP).

Established under the 2007 America COMPETES Act, TIP promotes innovation in the United States through high-risk, high-reward research in areas of critical national need. The merit-based competitive program can fund cost-shared R&D projects by single small-sized or medium-sized businesses or by joint ventures that may also include institutions of higher education, nonprofit research organizations and national laboratories.

NIST is requesting that interested parties submit “white papers” that describe an area of critical national need and the associated societal challenge and explain how those needs might be addressed through potential technological developments that fit the TIP profile of high-risk, high-reward R&D. The white papers, along with the input from NIST, TIP Advisory Board, other government agencies, the technical communities and other stakeholders, will be incorporated into the TIP competition planning process.

The deadline for submission of white papers to TIP is November 1, 2008. For more information, visitwww.nist.govor call (888) 847-6478.