Programs

The Advanced Functional Fabrics of America Institute (AFFOA), a Manufacturing USA Institute, addresses the spectrum of manufacturing challenges associated with developing and scaling advanced fibers and textiles from design through pilot production, helping to transition innovative technologies, and training the next generation manufacturing workforce. The institute’s Fabric Innovation Network  of member companies enables the development and commercialization of textile products that can see, hear, sense, communicate, store energy, regulate temperature, monitor health, and change color while delivering the conventional qualities of fabrics to benefit the commercial consumer and warfighter. The institute delivers breakthrough capabilities and innovations for national security through de-risking university technologies, non-traditional defense contractor participation, and the development of advanced textile systems. AFFOA centralizes the revolutionary fiber and fabric technology capabilities of startups, manufacturers, industry, and academia and organizes them to produce and manufacture advanced textile systems for the Department of Defense and commercial markets.

The Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Institute, a Manufacturing USA Institute, strengthens U.S. manufacturing through innovations in advanced manufacturing technology, particularly robotics and artificial intelligence, and prepares the workforce to work alongside these technologies. We foster collaboration between those who can create and maintain robotics and those who can leverage it for maximum economic impact. Working across industry, government, and academia, we leverage a robust ecosystem to fulfill our vision and mission. The ARM Institute, with its national consortium and support from the U.S. federal Government, empowers the full U.S. manufacturing ecosystem. The ARM Institute bridges the gap between funding and impact, identifying problems and spurring solutions.

American Institute for Manufacturing Integrated Photonics (AIM Photonics), a Manufacturing USA Institute, offers startups, designers and developers, and academic researchers access to a supporting infrastructure of services across the entire silicon photonics development cycle: design, simulation, fabrication, packaging, validation, and a path to volume manufacturing. Their mission is to advance integrated photonic circuit manufacturing technology development in the United States.

America Makes, the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute is a Manufacturing USA Institute and the nation’s leading public-private partnership for additive manufacturing (AM) technology and education. America Makes members from industry, academia, government, and workforce and economic development organizations work together to accelerate AM adoption and the nation’s global manufacturing competitiveness, focused on three areas — developing AM technology, developing an AM workforce, and maintaining a collaborative AM ecosystem. 

BioFabUSA, a Manufacturing USA Institute and program of the Advanced Regenerative Manufacturing Institute (ARMI), is a public-private partnership including companies, academic institutions and not-for profit organizations. The mission of BioFabUSA is to bring together the fundamental tenets of good manufacturing processes and the science of regenerative medicine to create regenerative manufacturing and the trained and ready workforce necessary for that manufacturing.

Bioindustrial Manufacturing and Design Ecosystem (BioMADE), a Manufacturing USA Institute,  is building a sustainable, domestic, end-to-end bioindustrial manufacturing ecosystem. BioMADE has the mission and flexibility to propel new biotechnology products from the laboratory to the commercial market.  In addition to supporting the development of technologies to strengthen American competitiveness, BioMADE is building the workforce of the future by partnering with K-12 schools, community colleges, universities, and professional development organizations. 

LIFT, a Manufacturing USA Institute, is a nonprofit, public-private partnership between industry, academia, and government that supports our nation’s economy and enhances its national security by accelerating innovative advanced manufacturing technology and talent development. LIFT solves the manufacturing equation by connecting materials, processes, systems, and talent needed to drive American manufacturing into the future.

Manufacturing Times Digital (MxD), a Manufacturing USA Institute, is where innovative manufacturers forge their futures. In partnership with the Department of Defense (DoD), MxD provides manufacturers with digital tools and expertise to begin building every part better than the last.  Institute members increase their productivity and win more business, powered by a workforce with the digital skills they need for a cybersecure industrial base. MxD also works with DoD manufacturers and contractors to assess and implement digital improvements throughout the industrial base.

Manufacturing USA was created in 2014 to secure U.S. global leadership in advanced manufacturing by connecting people, ideas, and technology. Manufacturing USA institutes convene business competitors, academic institutions, and other stakeholders to test applications of new technology, create new products, reduce cost and risk, and enable the manufacturing workforce with the skills of the future.

The National Network for Manufacturing Innovation (NNMI) is an interagency initiative made up of public-private partnerships devoted to manufacturing excellence. Under the NNMI, each institute will bring together innovative manufacturers, university engineering schools, community colleges, federal agencies, non-profits, and regional and state organizations to invest in unique, but industrially relevant, manufacturing technologies with broad applications. Federal NNMI partners include the U.S. Departments of Energy, Defense, and Commerce, as well as NASA and the National Science Foundation. 

NextFlex, a Manufacturing USA Institute, together with its members, recognizes that the Hybrid Electronics technology base presents critically important opportunities for U.S. manufacturing. NextFlex is addressing the need for a strong U.S. manufacturing base through these three key areas: Expanding the electronics manufacturing ecosystem, providing access to a technology hub for pilot-scale Manufacturing, and building the workforce of tomorrow.