A Vision for the Manufacturing USA Program in 2030 and 2035
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine released its new independent consensus study, developed by a committee of experts, which offers a comprehensive vision for Manufacturing USA’s next decade. The report outlines how the program can continue to catalyze the development of critical technologies, strengthen regional economies, and build a resilient, world-class manufacturing workforce. Based on extensive interviews, research, and international benchmarking, the report recommends that now is the time for the nation to “Go Bigger” through the Manufacturing USA program to meet the demands of the next 10 years and beyond.
The National Academies study emphasizes that the Manufacturing USA network is a critical piece of national infrastructure, having launched critical manufacturing technology development programs, significantly enabling applied R&D, innovative workforce education, and spurring the growth of critical emerging manufacturing sectors in the U.S.
“The Manufacturing USA institutes are a vital national asset that play a central role in aligning innovation efforts across government, industry, and academia. Strengthening the institutes is essential for bolstering U.S. competitiveness over the next decade and beyond.”
Key Themes and Objectives
The report identifies several strategic pillars essential for the program’s evolution:
- International Program Comparison and Benchmarking: Recommendations to improve U.S. competitiveness in advanced manufacturing, comparing strategies and impacts of competitor nations.
- Technology Transfer and Scale-Up: Strategies to accelerate the transition of emerging technologies, such as developing more pilot and scale-up facilities and formalizing technology transfer teams.
- Cross-Institute and Cross-Agency Collaboration: Suggestions to strengthen collaboration to tackle massive, cross-disciplinary challenges.
- Strengthening Regional Manufacturing Ecosystems: Ways to enhance the role of manufacturing institutes in regional economies and domestic production.
Workforce Education and Development: Opportunities to build more pathways for the next generation of technicians, engineers, and manufacturing leaders through innovative education and training models.