A process to develop a Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) for Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) specifying an Advanced Encryption Algorithm (AEA) has been initiated by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). This notice requests submission of candidate algorithms for consideration for inclusion in the AES and specifies how to submit a nomination package. The requirements for candidate algorithm submission packages and minimum acceptability requirements that must be satisfied in order to be deemed a ‘‘complete and proper’’ submission are presented. the evaluation criteria which will be used to appraise the candidate algorithms are also described.

It is intended that the AES will specify an unclassified, publicly disclosed encryption algorithm available royalty-free worldwide that is capable of protecting sensitive government information well into the next century.

The purpose of this notice is to solicit candidate algorithms from the public, academic/research communities, manufacturers, voluntary standards organizations, and Federal, state, and local government organizations. Following the close of the submission period, NIST intends to make all submissions publicly available for review and comment