In accordance with the implementation of the U.S. Government National Standards Strategy for Critical and Emerging Technology, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and U.S. government participants are listening to various stakeholder communities—and seeking input through a Request for Information.

International standards development is critical to realizing the potential of investments in cutting-edge R&D. Basic and applied research activities are essential to advancing critical and emerging technologies (CET) in the marketplace. Yet, when training the next generation of scientists and engineers, we fail to fully appreciate the role that standards play in the R&D ecosystem. Supporting robust standards development activities for CET requires new and creative partnerships. Government, industry, and academia must work collaboratively to facilitate a standards-savvy workforce ready for the innovation challenges of tomorrow.

This event will address the following questions:

1. How can we work together, learning from each other’s experience to build standards awareness and foster a standards-literate workforce of the future?    
2. How can we expand efforts to educate and empower a new standards workforce and be more inclusive to additional stakeholders, such as start-ups, small- and medium-sized companies, academia, and members of civil society?   
3. What standards development information, guidance, training, educational tools and assistance are needed to reach a more diverse audience?