NIST Cooperative Programs

B.

The correct answer to the question is the Advanced Technology Program (D).

The Advanced Technology Program (ATP) is one of several cooperative programs carried out by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), which is a non-regulatory agency of the United States Department of Commerce. The ATP's main objective is to advance the nation's technology infrastructure by providing funding to industry-led research partnerships aimed at developing high-risk, high-reward technologies.

The ATP's research areas include advanced materials and manufacturing, biotechnology, electronics, information and communication technologies, and energy and environmental technologies. The program aims to bridge the gap between fundamental research and commercialization, by funding projects that have the potential to create significant societal and economic benefits.

The ATP provides funding through a competitive, peer-reviewed process, in which industry-led consortia submit proposals for research projects. The program provides up to 50% of the total project cost, with the remainder funded by the industry partners. The program has supported numerous successful projects, including the development of digital cinema technology, advanced semiconductor manufacturing processes, and energy-efficient lighting technologies.

In summary, the Advanced Technology Program (ATP) is a cooperative program carried out by NIST that conducts research to advance the nation's technology infrastructure by providing funding to industry-led research partnerships aimed at developing high-risk, high-reward technologies.