GAITHERSBURG, MD-For fiscal year 2009, which ends on September 30, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has received $819 million in appropriations, an increase of 8.3% over the previous fiscal year. Funding for NIST was included in the FY 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act (Public Law 111-8) passed by Congress and signed by President Obama on March 11. These fiscal-year appropriations come in addition to the $610 million in funds that NIST is receiving as a result of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The total fiscal-year budget for NIST is broken down into three appropriations:

$472 million for scientific and technical research and services, which funds laboratory research and the Baldrige National Quality Program.

$172 million for construction of research facilities.

$175 million for industrial technology services, including $110 million for the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership and $65 million for the Technology Innovation Program.

NIST has 30 days from the signing of the bill to submit a spending plan to Congress. The spending plan will provide further detail on how the funds in the various appropriation categories will be allocated.

Further information on the NIST budget can be found at www.nist.gov/public_affairs/releases/approps-summary2009.htm.