Initial Design Plans Announced for National Manufacturing Innovation Network
The Obama Administration’s National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) recently released a report based on the input of nearly 900 stakeholders that describes an approach to implementing and managing a National Network for Manufacturing Innovation (NNMI)—a proposed national network of up to 15 manufacturing institutes around the country that would serve as regional hubs of innovation to boost U.S. competitiveness and strengthen state and local economies. The NNMI was announced by President Obama last March and is designed to accelerate the development and adoption of cutting-edge manufacturing technologies.
A new report, “National Network for Manufacturing Innovation: A Preliminary Design,” was developed by the NSTC’s Advanced Manufacturing National Program Office (AMNPO), which comprises representatives from federal agencies working to strengthen the U.S. manufacturing sector. It was previewed recently at a workshop in Huntsville, Ala., where industry, academic, government and other participants had the opportunity to discuss key components, including the framework for the competitive process and the criteria for selecting the Institutes of Manufacturing Innovation (IMI).