Driving American Advanced Manufacturing Into the Future Through Technology and Talent Development

LIFT is an accelerator connecting advanced materials, manufacturing processes, systems engineering and talent development enhancing America’s manufacturing competitiveness, national economy and security.

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How LIFT Works

LIFT accelerates the development and adoption of advanced materials, manufacturing processes, and educational tools for industry and the Department of War by connecting industry, academia, and government.

LIFT, and its U.S. industrial base partners, designs, builds, and tests, innovative materials, manufacturing processes, and curriculum, moving the U.S. industrial base into the future.

LIFT Technology Development
LIFT Talent Development
The LIFT Advantage

The LIFT Advantage

As a public-private partnership, LIFT harnesses the power of American industry, academia, and government to collaborate, accelerate, innovate and educate.

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The LIFT Network

Get Involved

LIFT is a membership-based organization committed to shaping the future of American advanced manufacturing.
From global companies and top national academic and research institutions to small & medium-sized manufacturers and start-up organizations, our members work in concert to position the United States as the global leader in advanced manufacturing.
Here’s how to get involved with LIFT:

At LIFT, we study the manufacturing process holistically, whether it be conventional, augmented, automated, or large scale. We also view the process based on the materials being used and the joining or coating needed post-process. Active Programs PROJECT CALLS LIFT’s project calls offer our network the opportunity to submit proposals on topics designed to Drive American Manufacturing Into the Future. LIFT helps organizations move emerging technologies from advanced concepts to commercialization so they can be adopted by industry and the warfighter faster. Search our Project Database View Active Programs Membership LIFT links Fortune 500 companies to small and medium-sized manufacturers and is the trusted advisor to advance American manufacturing technology and unlock its talent. We look forward to helping you achieve your technology goals. Become a Member Industry At LIFT, we are using design engineering to develop a suite of digital tools, including modeling & simulation, Integrated Computational Materials Engineering (ICME) middleware, and data analytics throughout the digital thread to accelerate material development. Active Programs PROJECT CALLS LIFT’s project calls offer our network the opportunity to submit proposals on topics designed to Drive American Manufacturing Into the Future. LIFT works with the top academic and research organizations, harnessing the knowledge of national experts to our ecosystem’s work. Get involved in a program today. Search our Project Database View Active Programs Membership Academic membership can provide organizations access to project funding, opportunities to present or attend LIFT technology events, and more. Become a Member Academia LIFT accelerates technologies across the “valley of death” to advance concepts from research to commercialization, and accelerate adoption by both industry and the warfighter. Government Partners CONTRACTING VEHICLES LIFT is a public-private partnership that works across the federal government in an effort to advance manufacturing technology and talent for national security and economic development. LIFT is the conduit to partnerships with the DoW and works with organizations of all sizes. LIFT operates under a cooperative agreement through the Offices of the Secretary of War and managed through the Office of Naval Research. As one of the 16 national manufacturing innovation institutes, LIFT is leading the advanced manufacturing revolution. Explore Funding Opportunities Get Connected Resources LIFT’s Detroit High Bay is the national premiere advanced materials facility, featuring full-scale equipment and a showcase for smarter manufacturing. It’s a sandbox where we design, build, and test new materials, processes, and systems. Explore LIFT Government We develop new tools, new venues, new teaching techniques and new curricula, building the education foundation in the U.S. to prepare our future workforce. We are hands on Driving American Advanced Manufacturing into the Future. IGNITE: Mastering Manufacturing® LEARNING LAB The LIFT Learning Lab is a unique, immersive learning facility exposing K-12 students to future career paths. Students can learn about materials science, fabrication, automation, welding, CNC and more. Certification opportunities available. IGNITE Mastering Manufacturing® introduces students across the U.S. to advanced manufacturing materials, processes and systems through on-line, interactive, multimedia and project-based learning built around real industry challenges. Experience the Learning Lab IGNITE Your Classroom Operation Next Operation Next® is an innovative program led by experts at select colleges and vocational schools in the U.S. Students can earn industry-recognized certifications for high-demand careers such as welding, CNC, and Robotics.
Find Your Next Career Education & Workforce Development

INTRODUCING

Advanced Metallic Production & Processing (AMPP) Center at LIFT

At LIFT, the AMPP Center is redefining how the U.S. develops and produces advanced metals.

Whether you’re developing novel alloys, testing new feedstocks, or scaling pilot production, AMPP bridges R&D and real-world manufacturing—accelerating the path from material concept to production scale.

Accelerate innovation. Scale with confidence.

  • Produce low-to-medium volumes of feedstock with toll processing and contract manufacturing—all under one roof.
  • Integrate testing and validation. Access comprehensive material testing and performance validation services.
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LIFT News, Podcasts & Webinars

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NEWS

LIFT Announces Advancing ICME for U.S. Casting & Forging Industries Project Call

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LIFT OFF WEBINAR

LIFT Off Webinar Replay: Presented by AMT – The Association for Manufacturing Technology

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SMARTER MANUFACTURING PODCAST

Smarter Manufacturing with Steve Luckowski, Director, Department of War T3CP office

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Upcoming Events

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  • October 21, 2026
  • - October 23, 2026

FabTech 2026

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  • October 21, 2026

LIFT Off Webinar: Apreo ChemiSEM: An Integrated Platform for Comprehensive SEM Materials Characterization

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  • November 4, 2026

LIFT Off Webinar: Advancing Ceramics and Composites for U.S. Manufacturing

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Veterans Crisis Line has 24/7 Confidential Crisis Support

DIAL 988, then Press 1

or TEXT 838255

Serves Veterans, Their Families, and Friends

www.veteranscrisisline.net

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A Decade of Driving American Advanced Manufacturing Into the Future

2024 celebrates a decade of LIFT achieving many technological and educational milestones, by connecting advanced materials, manufacturing processes, systems engineering and talent in support of our national security and national defense. Discover our journey by viewing our timeline and the see the impact we, and our network has made.

10 Years of Innovation

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