This follows the creation of the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute (NAMII) headquartered in Youngstown, Ohio, which was a pilot scheme.
The Department of Defense will lead two of the new Institutes, focused on Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation and Lightweight and Modern Metals Manufacturing. Likewise, the Department of Energy will be leading one new institute on Next Generation Power Electronics Manufacturing.
All three institutes will be selected through an open, competitive process, led by the Departments of Energy and Defense, with review from a multi-agency team of technical experts. Winning teams will be selected and announced later this year. Federal funds will be matched by industry co-investment, support from state and local governments, and other sources. Like the pilot institute, these Institutes are expected to become financially self-sustaining, and the plan to achieve this objective will be a critical evaluation criterion in the selection process.
Overall, President Obama proposes a one-time US$1 billion investment to create the National Network for Manufacturing Innovation (NNMI), a network of 15 manufacturing innovation institutes across the country. Each institute would serve as a regional hub designed to bridge the gap between basic research and product development, bringing together companies, universities and community colleges, and Federal agencies to co-invest in technology areas that encourage investment and production in the US. This type of innovation infrastructure would also educateand train students and workers at all levels, while providing the shared assets to help companies, including small manufacturers, access the capabilities and equipment to design, test, and pilot new products and manufacturing processes.
Find us on Google? Click here to sign up to receive our weekly e-newsletter and get news sent directly to your inbox!
