diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci.yml b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
index ac4662e8..dceda902 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -41,6 +41,9 @@ jobs:
     - name: Lint hatch
       run: pipx run nox --forcecolor -s 'lint(hatch)'
 
+    - name: Lint setuptools PEP 621
+      run: pipx run nox --forcecolor -s 'lint(setuptools621)'
+
 
   checks:
     name: Check Python ${{ matrix.python-version }} on ${{ matrix.runs-on }}
@@ -93,6 +96,9 @@ jobs:
     - name: Test hatch
       run: nox --forcecolor -s 'tests(hatch)'
 
+    - name: Test setuptools PEP 621
+      run: nox --forcecolor -s 'tests(setuptools621)'
+
     - name: Native poetry tooling
       run: nox --forcecolor -s 'native(poetry)'
 
@@ -153,6 +159,11 @@ jobs:
         pipx run nox --forcecolor -s 'nox(hatch)'
         pipx run nox --forcecolor -s 'nox(hatch)' -- docs
 
+    - name: Test setuptools PEP 621
+      run: |
+        pipx run nox --forcecolor -s 'nox(setuptools621)'
+        pipx run nox --forcecolor -s 'nox(setuptools621)' -- docs
+
 
   dist:
     name: Distribution build
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index c09dc83d..1514ab03 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -30,26 +30,28 @@ During generation you can select from the following backends for your package:
 
 1. [setuptools][]: The classic build system. Most powerful, but high learning curve
    and lots of configuration required.
-2. [pybind11][]: This is setuptools but with an C++ extension written in [pybind11][]
+2. [setuptools621][setuptools]: The classic build system, but with the new standardized
+   configuration. EXPERIMENTAL.
+3. [pybind11][]: This is setuptools but with an C++ extension written in [pybind11][]
    and wheels generated by [cibuildwheel][].
-3. [poetry][]: An all-in-one solution to pure Python projects. Replaces
+4. [poetry][]: An all-in-one solution to pure Python projects. Replaces
    setuptools, venv/pipenv, pip, wheel, and twine. Higher learning curve, but
    is all-in-one. Makes some bad default assumptions for libraries.
-4. [flit][]: A modern, lightweight [PEP 621][] build system for pure Python
+5. [flit][]: A modern, lightweight [PEP 621][] build system for pure Python
    projects. Replaces setuptools, no MANIFEST.in, setup.py, or setup.cfg. Low
    learning curve. Easy to bootstrap into new distributions.
 5. [pdm][]: A modern, less opinionated all-in-one solution to pure Python
    projects supporting standards. Replaces setuptools, venv/pipenv, pip, wheel,
    and twine. Supports [PEP 621][], and also the unaccepted [PEP 582][].
-6. [trampolim][]: A modern [PEP 621][] builder with support for tasks, allowing
+7. [trampolim][]: A modern [PEP 621][] builder with support for tasks, allowing
    arbitrary Python to run during the build process if needed.
-7. [whey][]: A modern [PEP 621][] builder with some automation options for Trove
+8. [whey][]: A modern [PEP 621][] builder with some automation options for Trove
    classifiers. Development seems to be stalled, possibly.
-8. [maturin][]: A [PEP 621][] builder for Rust binary extensions. 
-9. [hatch][]: A package manager similar to Poetry/PDM. Hatchling (the backend) is
+9. [maturin][]: A [PEP 621][] builder for Rust binary extensions. 
+10. [hatch][]: A package manager similar to Poetry/PDM. Hatchling (the backend) is
    a modern builder with nice error messages.
    
-Currently, the best choices are probalby flit, PDM, or hatch for pure python projects,
+Currently, the best choices are probably flit, PDM, or hatch for pure python projects,
 and setuptools (such as the pybind11 choice) for binary projects.
 
 #### To use:
diff --git a/cookiecutter.json b/cookiecutter.json
index d003cf03..98e522d2 100644
--- a/cookiecutter.json
+++ b/cookiecutter.json
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
     "org": "Scikit-HEP",
     "url": "https://github.com/{{ cookiecutter.org }}/{{ cookiecutter.project_name }}",
     "full_name": "My Name",
-    "project_type": ["setuptools", "pybind11", "poetry", "flit", "pdm", "trampolim", "whey", "maturin", "hatch"],
+    "project_type": ["setuptools", "pybind11", "poetry", "flit", "pdm", "trampolim", "whey", "maturin", "hatch", "setuptools621"],
     "email": "me@email.com",
     "maintainer": "The Scikit-HEP admins",
     "maintainer_email": "scikit-hep-admins@googlegroups.com",
diff --git a/hooks/post_gen_project.py b/hooks/post_gen_project.py
index a48627e0..e46133a1 100644
--- a/hooks/post_gen_project.py
+++ b/hooks/post_gen_project.py
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 
 project_name = "{{ cookiecutter.project_name }}"
 project_type = "{{ cookiecutter.project_type }}"
-project_types = {"setuptools", "pybind11", "poetry", "flit", "trampolim", "whey", "pdm", "maturin", "hatch"}
+project_types = {"setuptools", "pybind11", "poetry", "flit", "trampolim", "whey", "pdm", "maturin", "hatch", "setuptools621"}
 other_project_types = project_types - {project_type}
 
 project_underscore_name = project_name.replace("-", "_")
diff --git a/{{cookiecutter.project_name}}/pyproject^setuptools,pybind11,poetry.toml b/{{cookiecutter.project_name}}/pyproject^setuptools,pybind11,poetry.toml
index 716ff1cc..00c7136d 100644
--- a/{{cookiecutter.project_name}}/pyproject^setuptools,pybind11,poetry.toml
+++ b/{{cookiecutter.project_name}}/pyproject^setuptools,pybind11,poetry.toml
@@ -14,6 +14,9 @@ build-backend = "maturin"
 {%- elif cookiecutter.project_type == "hatch" %}
 requires = ["hatchling>=0.7"]
 build-backend = "hatchling.build"
+{%- elif cookiecutter.project_type == "setuptools621" %}
+requires = ["setuptools>=61.0"]
+build-backend = "setuptools.build_meta"
 {%- else %}
 requires = ["flit_core >=3.4"]
 build-backend = "flit_core.buildapi"
@@ -80,7 +83,7 @@ dev = [
     "pytest >=6",
 ]
 docs = [
-    "Sphinx~=3.0",
+    "Sphinx>=4.0",
      "myst_parser>=0.13",
     "sphinx-book-theme>=0.1.0",
     "sphinx_copybutton",