Reports

This plan, “Building the Bioworkforce of the Future,” builds upon recent reports and assessments of the workforce needs for biotechnology and biomanufacturing and input from stakeholders across government, business, educational institutions, and community-based organizations. Public input was collected through listening sessions and an OSTP-led Request for Information posted in December 2022. Input from this outreach informed the recommendations and action steps.

For over thirty years, the MEP program has focused on bridging the manufacturing productivity gap, identifying opportunities for growth, and encouraging technology deployment. The 51 MEP Centers are an integral part of the MEP National Network, providing manufacturing clients with a wide array of fundamental services in manufacturing, business, and process improvements.

In FY 2021, the Manufacturing USA network collaborated across agencies and institutes to share research progress and discuss lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the American Rescue Plan appropriations, NIST-sponsored grant competitions will fund projects to Manufacturing USA institutes to focus on domestic research, development, and testbeds to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus.

As domestic and international challenges continue to affect U.S. public health, the economy, and national security, the advanced manufacturing sector is responding. Innovative, resilient, and sustainable manufacturing systems are transforming the U.S. to become stronger, smarter, greener, and more secure.

This 2022 National Strategy for Advanced Manufacturing, developed by the SAM following extensive public outreach, is based on a vision for United States leadership in advanced manufacturing that will grow the economy, create quality jobs, enhance environmental sustainability, address climate change, strengthen supply chains, ensure national security, and improve healthcare.

Congress maintains a strong interest in the health of U.S. manufacturing due to its central role in the U.S. economy and national defense. Manufacturing USA is a network of institutes focused on facilitating the development and commercialization of emerging manufacturing technologies. The existing network consists of 16 institutes sponsored by the Departments of Commerce (DOC), Defense (DOD), and Energy (DOE) and co-funded with private sector partners.

The Departments of Commerce, Defense (DOD), and Energy (DOE) have established a network of innovation institutes—known as Manufacturing USA institutes—to promote research, development, and commercialization of advanced manufacturing technologies. Manufacturing USA institutes reported making progress toward achieving their technology goals.

Advanced manufacturing is essential to our economic and national security. American manufacturers contribute more than $2.35 trillion to the U.S. economy which, taken alone, would represent the eighth-largest economy in the world. Every dollar spent in manufacturing results in an additional $2.79 added to the economy, making it the highest multiplier effect of any sector. This leads to jobs and economic opportunities in local and regional communities.

This study was conducted by the Applied Economics Office (AEO) in the Engineering Laboratory (EL) at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The study provides aggregate manufacturing industry data and industry subsector data to develop a quantitative depiction of the U.S. manufacturing industry.

This annual report to Congress provides updates on the Manufacturing USA network response to COVID-19, as well as manufacturing technology development and workforce impacts from across the manufacturing innovation institutes.