The National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST) is a non-regulatory federal agency within the U.S. Commerce Department's Technology Administration . NIST's mission is 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.

Approximately half ot the JQI Fellows are from NIST, and also hold adjunct appointments with the Department of Physics.