ABOUT THE NITRD PROGRAM
The Networking and Information Technology Research and Development (NITRD) Program is the Nation’s primary source of federally funded research and development (R&D) in advanced information technologies (IT) in computing, networking, and software. NITRD is among the oldest and largest of formal Federal programs that coordinate the activities of multiple agencies to tackle multidisciplinary, multitechnology, and multisector R&D needs.
Advanced networking and IT capabilities underpin U.S. technological leadership in the world, as well as American military superiority, national security, economic prosperity, energy dominance, health, innovation, maintenance of a cutting-edge IT research infrastructure, and expansion of the skilled cyber-enabled workforce. NITRD’s interagency communication and collaboration in IT R&D leverage agency strengths, help avoid duplication, and foster development of interoperable systems, thus improving the cost-effectiveness of Federal research investments. The NITRD collaboration framework also supports individual and joint agency outreach to academia and industry to foster alliances and strengthen the national innovation ecosystem.
ORGANIZATION
The NITRD Program is managed by the Subcommittee on Networking and Information Technology Research and Development (NITRD Subcommittee) of the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) Committee on Science and Technology Enterprise (CSTE) and operates under the aegis of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP).
LEGISLATION
The Networking and Information Technology Research and Development (NITRD) Program (formerly known as High Performance Computing and Communications (HPCC) Program) was created by the High Performance Computing Act of 1991, (P.L. 102-194).
PCAST
The NITRD authorizing language mandates a periodic review of the program’s activities, progress, and direction. The reviews are performed by a working group consisting of members of the President’s Council of Advisors for Science and Technology (PCAST) and outside experts from the fields covered by the NITRD program, as needed.
MEMBER AGENCIES
Federal departments and agencies conduct or support R&D in advanced networking and information technologies, report IT research budgets in the NITRD budget crosscut, and provide support for NITRD Program coordination.
BUDGET REPORTING
The annual NITRD Program Supplement to the President’s Budget provides a technical summary of NITRD research investments and activities planned and coordinated through the NITRD Program in a given Federal budget cycle.
NITRD NATIONAL COORDINATION OFFICE
The NITRD National Coordination Office (NCO) provides day-to-day support to the NITRD Program, the NITRD Subcommittee, and its IWGs by providing technical staff expertise, planning, coordination, point of contact, physical and virtual meeting venues, and administrative assistance for Program activities.
DIRECTORS
NITRD Directors through history have provided the leadership and coordination needed to advance Federal networking and information technology research priorities across agencies.
LINKS/REFERENCES
- NITRD Supplement to the President’s FY2026 Budget Request, May 8, 2026
- Federal IT resource guides and inventories (inventories, information portals, resource guides)
- NITRD Testimony (Testimony Hearings before the House and Senate Committees, 1998-present)
- History of HPCC and NITRD from the 1980s to 1992, 1992 to 1995, and 1996 to 2015.
- Historical Documents (publications and reports, correspondence, meeting materials and minutes)
- Membership in the NITRD Program
- NITRD 30th Anniversary Symposium, May 25, 2022
- NITRD Program 30th Anniversary Commemoration, December 2, 2021
Page updated: May 8, 2026