Top 10 Notable Highlights from 2025
1. Increased Member Engagement
America Makes enhanced its member engagement through innovative event strategies and dynamic workshops, actively involving members in shaping real-world outcomes. This renewed effort aimed to advance the Department of Defense’s (DoD) priorities by reimagining key events to harness collective knowledge and input from the AM sector. These events included the fall Technical Review and Exchange (TRX) in Charlotte, NC, a special spring TRX co-located at Rapid + TCT in Detroit, MI, and our signature Members Meeting and Exchange (MMX) event in Youngstown, OH, held in August. With 750+ participants, these America Makes events delivered actionable insights while uniting industry, academia, and government to drive collaboration and impact.
Additionally, the Institute boosted engagement with over 11,000 individuals participating in Education and Workforce Development (EWD) activities, welcomed 33 new members, and uploaded more than 3,000 artifacts into its CORE repository to encourage information and data sharing. (Pictured: MMX Keynote, Matthew Sermon, Direct Reporting Program Manager, Maritime Industrial Base Program)
2. Institute Awards Nearly $14M in Project Calls
From March 2025 to August 2025, nearly $14M was obligated to America Makes’ members and their project teams to drive the AM industry forward. Projects included AAMI, IMPACT 3.0, QTIME, High Priority Open Topics for AM, JAQS-SQ Phase 1, and AACAMS. Addressing focus areas such as processability, non-destructive testing and sustainment, among others, were funded through the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering’s Manufacturing Technology Office (OSD(R&E)), Office of the Under Secretary of Defense, Manufacturing Technology Office (OSD ManTech), and Air Force Research Laboratory’s Materials and Manufacturing Directorate (AFRL (RX)).
3. Gaps Progress Report Reveals State of AM Qualification
On September 23, America Makes and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) released the 2025 Gaps Progress Report. This report was a result of a six-month effort to address gaps in the Standardization Roadmap for Additive Manufacturing, Version 3.0. The report identified 28 gaps in standards and conformity assessments, recommending changes and highlighting new areas for improvement. As a living document, it aims to enhance AM standards and improve defense readiness, airworthiness, and supply chain resilience.
4. College Students Challenged to Advance Military Readiness
In May, the Institute sponsored the Additive in Steel competition during the 2025 Forge Fair held in Cleveland, OH. This event rallied college teams to design, engineer, and 3D print steel mission-ready multi-tools, enhancing DoD readiness and operator effectiveness. Aligning with defense modernization priorities, the competition focused on fast-tracking AM adoption, reducing development timelines, and validating performance through on-stage testing. The result was a showcase of lightweighting, tool consolidation, and rapid iteration, with the winning tool documented on the Additive Manufacturing’s Cool Parts Show, presented by Additive Manufacturing Media. (Pictured: First place team, University of Louisville)
5. Launch of Youngstown Innovation Hub
On February 27, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced the launch of the Youngstown Innovation Hub for Aerospace & Defense. The Hub is supported by $26M from Ohio’s Innovation Hubs Program to expand innovation-driven economic growth beyond Ohio’s largest metro areas. Modeled after the successful Innovation Districts in Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Columbus, the program combines academic, industry, government, and nonprofit partners to spur high-tech development in regions such as Youngstown. With an additional $36M in local, federal, and private investment, the Hub is positioned as a cornerstone of Ohio’s statewide innovation strategy. It aims to bolster the region’s leadership in advanced and additive manufacturing, drive economic growth, and advance research, technology, and workforce development. By accelerating the 3D printing of complex, customized parts, the Hub is set to enhance military equipment production and reduce dependence on foreign manufacturing.
6. New Executive Committee, RMAG Leadership
This year, the Institute proudly announced new leadership for both its Executive Committee and its Roadmap Advisory Group (RMAG). The Executive Committee guides cross-sector experts in shaping strategy, policy, and advocacy efforts to advance the mission and bolster U.S. manufacturing competitiveness. The RMAG provides direction for the Institute’s AM technology roadmap, ensuring it reflects industry needs and emerging opportunities. Rick Russell of The Barnes Global Advisors has been appointed chair of the Executive Committee, with Sandra DeVincent Wolf, Ph.D., of Carnegie Mellon University, serving as secretary. Andrew Thompson of Northrop Grumman is the new chairperson of RMAG.
7. Institute Advocacy Leads to Policy Reform
In late September, Kimberly Gibson, America Makes Industrial Base Integration Director, participated in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) briefing in Washington, D.C., advocating for advanced manufacturing within the DoD. Gibson informed Senator Elissa Slotkin’s office, which contributed to the creation of S.2214 (Future of Defense Manufacturing Act of 2025), and its inclusion in the NDAA. Gibson, along with other participants, collaborated with the AM Coalition to clarify Section 880, banning foreign polymer printers, and proposed measures to safeguard readiness.
8. Mobilizing Hawaii’s Dual-Use Advanced Manufacturing & Space Industrial Base
America Makes is actively advancing the DoD’s deterrence strategy in the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) by building allied industrial capacity and accelerating dual-use technologies in Hawaii. Gibson visited Hawaii and Maui to collaborate with the Maui Economic Development Board on two projects: transforming Paia Sugar Mill into an advanced manufacturing village and establishing an Integrated Space Defense Accelerator & Manufacturing Center. These actions bolster defense manufacturing and the national industrial base, surge readiness, and support regional allyship.
9. EWD Launches New Sites to Expand AM Training
America Makes launched AMTrain Phase 2, extending its reach across the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) with role-specific AM training for 15 critical job roles. This program, featuring an enhanced user interface and integrations with DRIVE AM and Tooling U-SME, aimed to establish scalable AM capabilities and strengthen workforce preparedness, directly supporting the DoD. Intending to expose 1M Americans to hands-on 3D printing by 2027, the initiative aims to significantly impact DoD readiness and the national AM talent pipeline.
Additionally, the Institute introduced AMJobs.org, a free digital platform developed in collaboration with CAST, Inc., and funded by the Ohio Department of Development. This tool provides access to AM careers, supporting industry growth and fostering talent development. Through comprehensive EWD training programs, AMJobs helps individuals explore careers, develop necessary skills, and achieve their educational and career goals.
10. America Makes Welcomes New Media Partners
America Makes continues to strengthen its strategic communications and broaden its global reach through new partnerships with Metal Powder Technology, PIM International, and All3DP. These partnerships elevate awareness of America Makes’ initiatives, attract new members, and spark greater industry-wide collaboration and innovation. By amplifying its presence on the international stage, the Institute not only extends its influence but also creates new opportunities for its members to gain recognition, share breakthroughs, and showcase their contributions to the future of AM.