Strategic Landscape and Emerging 

Challenges

Implications for NIST

NIST VCAT October 20, 2020
1. Strategic Landscape and Emerging 

Challenges

 Dramatic Social Changes

 Changing International S&T 

Landscape

 Emerging Technology Challenges

2. How is NIST Addressing These Challenges? 

Steps Taken and Future Opportunities

 Update on NIST Strategic Plan

 Plans for Strengthening Technology 

Transfer

 The Expanding Importance of 

Partnerships in NIST Mission 

Delivery

 Opportunities for NIST

3. Questions for the VCAT

Outline For This Afternoon
NIST 

Environmental 

Scan

AFP

Societal Changes Geopolitical 

Landscape

Political and Policy 

Landscape

Creative Commons

Technology and 

Science Landscape
Multigenerational Workforce

Social Inequality

Civil Unrest

Diversity and Inclusivity

Economic downturn

Partisanship

Distrust

Societal Changes – 2020 A Year of Maximal Disruption

Multigenerational Workforce

Photo AFP

Photo CDC/Allisa Eckert
Covid-19 and Ramifications for NIST

Economic Impact

• Recession

• Stress on Federal, State, and Local 

Budgets

• Bankruptcies, Unemployment

• Disruption of supply chains

Societal Impact

• Telework and virtualization of meetings

• Magnification of socio-economic divide

• Politicization of Science

• Catalyst for new technological innovation

Ramifications for NIST

• Pressure on solvency

• Infrastructure degradation

• Lapse in mission delivery

• Procurement of supplies

• Workforce changes

• External partnerships

• New opportunities

5
Changing International S&T Landscape: 

America’s S&T Lead is at Risk 

Increased foreign funding of R&D 

• U.S. share of global R&D decreasing, with 

China the fastest growing nation

41.7

25.5

20.0

12.9

25.3

37.2

25.4

12.2

0 10 20 30 40 50

East-Southeast and South

Asia

United States

European Union

Rest of world

Percent

Shares of Worldwide R&D

2000

2017

Industrial policies and tech focus of other nations

• Technology prioritization, policies for 5G, quantum R&D, 

manufacturing, standards, with China accelerating in 

patents and more 

6

Source: National Science Board, Science and Engineering Indicators 2020

Patent Activity Worldwide
Funding Landscape

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

2000 2005 2010 2015

Dollars (billions) 

Year 

Business Federal government

Nonfederal government Higher education

Nonprofit organizations

0.00%

1.00%

2.00%

3.00%

4.00%

5.00%

6.00%

NASA NOAA NSF DOE Office

of Science

NIST

(Total)

NIST

(STRS)

NIST (STRS

and CRF)

Avg Percent Annual Increase

Agency

Average Percent Annual Increase (2012-2019)

Industry provides majority of R&D 

Funding in U.S. 

Federal Government still the biggest 

funder of basic R&D.

Overall Federal Investment flat or 

declining.

NIST budget growth tracks with that of 

other non-Defense S&T agencies on a 

percent basis
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY

-NC

Security

Privacy

Sustainable Innovation

Health

Data

Advanced Manufacturing

Advanced Communications

Drones and Autonomous Vehicles

Human Augmentation

Space

Technology and 

Science Drivers
Key Implications and Future Considerations

Workforce

• Telework and remote work 

• Diversity, inclusivity, and equity 

• Agility and collaboration 

• Foreign national guest researchers

• Trust of the workforce

Operational Environment and Mission 

Delivery

• Funding 

• How NIST delivers on its mission

• Increased demand for NIST engagement 

• Partnerships and ability to work closely 

with industry

• International Dynamics