An Assessment of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Center for Neutron Research

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Center for Neutron Research (NCNR) supports U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness through fundamental research in neutron science. Work at NCNR advances pharmaceutical research, materials science, artificial intelligence, and fundamental physics and metrology. This 2025 assessment evaluates NCNR's technical programs, staffing, facilities, and effectiveness at meeting its mission. The report finds that NCNR staff and technical programs are extremely highly regarded, and additional resources are needed to maintain the facility's central role in neutron research in the United States and globally.