NIST sets accuracy threshold for entry into 1:N face recognition evaluation

Starting November 30, 2026, NIST will require new entrants to its FRTE 1:N identification evaluation to first submit an algorithm to the 1:1 track with an FNMR of 2.5% or less at an FMR of one in a million on the Visa-Border dataset. The agency is also adding datasets and a template-generation limit of under 2,000 ms per image on a single Intel Xeon Gold 6254 core.

• From Nov 30, 2026, 1:N entry requires a 1:1 algorithm with FNMR ≤2.5% at FMR 1:1,000,000
• Template generation must take under 2,000 ms per image on one Xeon Gold 6254 core
• 1:N submissions pause from Oct 30 and reopen Nov 30, 2026
• About 30% of algorithms with a Visa-Border result miss the new threshold