NIST focuses on ensuring the competitiveness of U.S. industries by fostering innovation, enhancing technology, and providing a reliable foundation of standards. The agency’s mission spans a wide array of areas, including cybersecurity, materials science, information technology, and more. NIST aims to develop and disseminate standards, measurements, and best practices to bolster scientific research and industrial processes.

NIST operates a multidisciplinary approach, organised into laboratories and programs that specialize in different fields. These include the physical measurement laboratory, engineering laboratory, information technology laboratory, and more. This structured framework allows NIST to address diverse challenges across sectors.

While NIST primarily focuses on technology, it indirectly contributes to sustainable finance by supporting innovations and standards that promote environmental responsibility. For instance, its work in cybersecurity enhances the resilience of financial systems against threats. NIST’s standards contribute to creating a stable foundation for various industries, including those involved in sustainable finance initiatives.

NIST provides a wealth of resources, including databases, tools, and publications, aiding researchers, industries, and the public. The agency offers access to extensive databases, calibration services, and research publications that benefit professionals and researchers globally. NIST’s standards and guidelines are widely adopted, providing a reference point for industries aiming to enhance their practices.

To promote U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards, and technology in ways that enhance economic security and improve our quality of life.

As a federal agency, NIST’s primary funding comes from the U.S. government budget allocated to the Department of Commerce.