NIST has completed the initial check of all algorithm submission packages received in response to the August 27, 2018 Request for Nominations for Lightweight Cryptographic Algorithms. Fifty-six (56) of these submissions were accepted as complete and proper.

LWC Round 1 candidates have been announced on the Round 1 Candidates page of the Lightweight Cryptography project.

Please send comments to NIST using the “Submit Comments” links on the Round 1 Candidates page. Submit comments by August 1, 2019 to guarantee consideration as we decide which candidates will proceed to Round 2. However, comments will continue to be accepted beyond that date.

NIST will review the public evaluations regarding the cryptographic strengths and weaknesses, implementation costs, and performance of the candidate algorithms. This information will be used to narrow down the candidate pool for more focused study and analysis.

We expect to announce the LWC Round 2 candidates before September 2019.