The US Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standards and Technology has amended rules that govern the Advanced Technology Program to encourage the partnering of large and small companies. The rule changes are designed to strengthen the program's emphasis on research ventures and consortiums with a broad range of participants and to ensure that large companies pay a majority of costs on their projects. The rule changes include a formal definition of "large company" based on annual revenues; a requirement that large companies provide funds at a 60 percent level; and new selection criteria that emphasize joint ventures.