Sponsors (8)
This is not an official government website.
Copyright © 2026 PLEJ LC. All rights reserved.
Creates a nonprofit Foundation to support the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in measurement science, technical standards, metrology, commercialization of research, education and outreach, and related collaboration with academia, industry, and nonprofits. The Foundation will be a private, tax-exempt organization governed by an 11-member appointed voting Board (plus ex officio nonvoting members) and led by an Executive Director who manages day-to-day operations. The Foundation may accept gifts and donations, transfer funds or property to NIST within federal limits, and receive limited annual transfers from NIST (between $500,000 and $1,250,000) beginning in fiscal year 2026. It must adopt conflict-of-interest and transparency rules, produce a strategic plan and annual reports, undergo an audit and a GAO evaluation within five years, and follow stated rules on governance, intellectual property, and liability.
The bill channels federal and private resources to strengthen NIST, research funding, standards, and commercialization—boosting U.S. technical leadership and university-industry transfer—while introducing risks from private influence, conflicts of interest, and reduced federal accountability, with modest new federal spending.
Scientists, researchers, and universities receive expanded funding, fellowships, and grants that support measurement science, standards work, and commercialization activities, improving research capacity and career support.
Universities and industry partners gain stronger collaboration and commercialization support to accelerate tech transfer and bring federally funded research to market, helping startups and small businesses scale technologies.
NIST and U.S. standards efforts receive targeted resources for facilities, international engagement, and standards development, strengthening U.S. technical leadership and national technical competitiveness.
Scientists, universities, and small businesses face heightened risk of conflicts of interest if Board members or donors have commercial ties to technologies the Foundation supports, which can undermine research integrity and public trust.
Scientists and universities could see research priorities steered by private donor restrictions, giving private funders outsized influence over publicly beneficial research directions.
Taxpayers have limited legal control and accountability because the Foundation is not a federal agency and its debts are not backed by the U.S., reducing government oversight of its activities.
Introduced April 1, 2025 by Haley Stevens · Last progress April 1, 2025