ATP helps industry accelerate the development of innovative technologies by sharing costs, promoting longer-term research, and enhancing economic security. This fills the gap left by private-sector investments focused on incremental improvements. As a non-regulatory federal agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, ATP, also known as the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), supports U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards, and technology. Their mission is to ensure growth, create new capabilities, and improve productivity, ultimately leading to a higher standard of living for Americans.