(NIST: Gaithersburg, MD) -- On Jan. 4, President Obama signed the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010, which provides several important updates to the funding, programs, and leadership of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

The signing of COMPETES “means more research and expanded programs to advance science and technology in the United States,” says Commerce Secretary Gary Locke. “These innovative programs and initiatives will help create jobs here at home, make our businesses more competitive abroad, and strengthen the foundation of our economy.”

An update to the landmark 2007 law that strengthened the federal government’s commitment to science, technology, and education funding, the new law would continue NIST on a 10-year path of doubling its budget for core science and technology programs. It authorizes funding NIST for the next three years at $918.9 million (FY11), $970.8 million (FY12) and $1.04 billion (FY13), though the actual funding levels will be specified by future Congressional appropriations bills. The act also creates a new position for the NIST director, Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology.

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