(NIST: Gaithersburg, Maryland) -- The U.S. Commerce Department’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has received Congressional approval on its recovery plan to create jobs, strengthen the economy, and encourage innovation. Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), NIST was granted $580 million in direct appropriations, along with an additional $30 million transferred to NIST from other federal agencies, to invest in construction projects, grants, scientific equipment, and research fellowships.

“NIST’s investments will create jobs, revitalize the economy and advance American innovation,” says U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke. “The funds will help our nation transition to electronic health records, develop an electricity smart grid that will save money and energy, and pay for state-of-the-art facilities and research that will keep our nation at the forefront of cutting-edge science and technology.”

The additional $30 million transferred to NIST from other federal agencies will be covered in a subsequent spend plan.

Some NIST Recovery Plan highlights:

Scientific and technical research and services (STRS) ($220 million):
Through STRS, NIST’s funding provides for investment in “research, competitive grants, additional research fellowships and advanced research and measurement equipment and supplies.” NIST’s Recovery Plan calls for:

 …