NSTIC opens second round of grants for secure ID technology

NSTIC is an initiative to address current challenges in authenticating identities online, with a National Program Office established within the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

Objectives for the current round of grants include:
• Link multiple sectors, including multiple identity providers and relying parties through interoperable trust frameworks;
• Expand the acceptance of these trust frameworks and third-party credential providers by relying parties;
• Demonstrate solutions that can help public and private sector entities jumpstart adoption of trusted strong authentication technologies in lieu of passwords;
• Create user-centric solutions addressing the barriers that have inhibited consumer demand for strong authentication;
• Create a framework of policies, rules of behavior, and agreements for liability and privacy concerns that can be applied across multiple trust frameworks and providers;
• Demonstrate technologies that mitigate privacy and civil liberties risks, such as increased trackability and personal data aggregation engendered by the development of the Identity Ecosystem, without impairing performance;
• Demonstrate interoperability across multiple technologies such as smart cards, one-time passwords and others;
• Demonstrate frameworks, methodologies or solutions for enabling the exchange of specific attributes associated with identities while minimizing the sharing of non-essential information;
• Create interfaces to enhance end-user choice and usability;
• Demonstrate the role that government can play in helping individuals prove their identity with the private sector;
• Applicants should send abbreviated proposals. Finalists will be selected by April 9 to submit full proposals.

 In 2012 NIST has funded five pilot projects in the initial round of NSTIC pilot grants. In 2013, NIST expects to award several grants ranging from USD 1.25 million to USD 2 million a year each for up to two years. Applicants should send abbreviated proposals. Finalists will be selected by April 9 to submit full proposals.