National Strategy for Trusted Identities in Cyberspace (NSTIC) Cooperative Agreement Program for the Evaluation of Pilots Using Trusted Online Credentials for Accessing Government Services | Apply Online

Opportunity Summary:

This funding opportunity, issued by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), supports independent evaluations of pilot projects that use trusted online credentials to help people access government services. It sits under the broader National Strategy for Trusted Identities in Cyberspace (NSTIC), a federal vision aimed at making online identity and authentication more secure while still being practical for everyday users. In plain terms, the program is not primarily about building a new identity system from scratch; it is about rigorously evaluating real-world pilot efforts that are already testing identity solutions for government service access, then translating what is learned into guidance that others can use.

The main purpose is to assess the benefits and impacts of identity solutions that align with NSTIC principles: security, efficiency, ease of use, and interoperability, while also promoting privacy, choice, confidence, and innovation. The federal government, through this program, is trying to answer practical questions that matter for adoption: Do these credentials reduce fraud or improve program integrity? Do they make it easier or faster for the public to complete transactions online? Do they cut administrative burdens or costs for agencies? Do they improve user trust without forcing people into a one-size-fits-all identity approach? The evaluations funded here are meant to produce credible, evidence-based findings on those kinds of outcomes, rather than anecdotal success stories.

The evaluations specifically relate to pilots funded under a separate but connected opportunity, identified as 2013 NIST NSTIC 02 (the pilots for trusted online credentials for accessing government services). This opportunity, 2013 NIST NSTIC 03, focuses on the evaluation layer: measuring and documenting what the pilots achieved, what worked, what did not, and under what conditions a given approach is likely to succeed. Funding for both the pilots and their evaluation comes from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Partnership for Program Integrity Innovation, signaling that the effort is tied to improving integrity and performance in government programs, not just advancing technology for its own sake.

A central deliverable expectation is broad dissemination of results. NIST emphasizes that the knowledge gained should be shared widely with policymakers, state agencies, and the public. The idea is that evaluations should not remain isolated within a single pilot or jurisdiction. Instead, they should help move the larger NSTIC goal forward by making it easier for other government entities to adopt online credentials responsibly, backed by real evidence about security outcomes, user experience, privacy implications, and operational considerations. In effect, the program is designed to turn pilot activity into reusable learning that accelerates safe, privacy-aware online transactions across government.

Administratively, this is a discretionary funding opportunity using a cooperative agreement, which typically means the awardee conducts the work with substantial involvement from the federal agency compared with a standard grant. The activity category is listed as Science and Technology and other Research and Development, and it falls under CFDA 11.609 (Measurement and Engineering Research and Standards). There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement stated for applicants, which can lower barriers for organizations that can contribute expertise but may not have funds to meet match requirements.

Eligibility is limited to non-profit organizations and accredited institutions of higher education located in the United States and its territories. Federal agencies are not eligible to apply. An eligible lead organization may propose a team structure that includes subawardees, contractors, or other collaborators, allowing for consortia that combine evaluation expertise, privacy and security knowledge, human factors research, and policy analysis. However, each eligible organization is limited to submitting only one application under this federal funding opportunity, which puts pressure on applicants to consolidate ideas and submit a single, well-scoped proposal.

Key dates reflect a short application window: the opportunity was posted on May 20, 2013, with applications due electronically by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on June 20, 2013. Late applications were not reviewed. The listing indicates an archive date of July 21, 2013, which is consistent with older federal opportunities that are no longer open but remain available for reference.

For applicants or researchers looking back at this opportunity, the important takeaway is the program intent: build trusted evidence around digital identity pilots for government services in a way that supports wider adoption. The evaluation focus implies structured measurement of outcomes, documentation of impacts on agencies and end users, and communication of results in forms that decision-makers can act on. The contact listed for access or technical difficulties with the full announcement is Christopher Hunton, Grants Technical Assistant, at 301-975-5718, and the additional information link is labeled "2013 NIST NSTIC 03 Full Announcement/FFO document," where the detailed requirements, selection criteria, and expected evaluation approach would be spelled out.

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