NIST MEP Competitive Awards Program

NIST MEP invites applications from current MEP Centers for projects that will add capabilities to the MEP Program by achieving one or more of the criteria set forth in 15 U.S.C. 278k-1(e)(3) and may give priority during the selection process to proposals that will also address one or more of the Program Themes described in Section I. of this NOFO: Industry/Manufacturing 4.0; manufacturing workforce services to include employee recruitment, retention, and employee development; supply chain management and resiliency; and Artificial Intelligence (AI) application. Projects funded pursuant to this NOFO must provide for activities or services beyond those provided for pursuant to an applicant’s and its partnering MEP Centers’ base MEP Center cooperative agreements. See Section I of this NOFO for the full program description.

Program Details

National Institute of Standards and Technology is a federal agency that offers the NIST MEP Competitive Awards Program grant program to support eligible programs and projects. This funding opportunity is available nationally and is administered by National Institute of Standards and Technology through Grants.gov. Organizations seeking funding for eligible programs and projects should review the details below and confirm their eligibility before preparing an application.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants include eligible organizations. Organizations that meet the eligibility criteria are encouraged to apply and to review the full program guidelines before submission. Because eligibility rules and funding priorities can change between cycles, applicants should always confirm the current requirements with National Institute of Standards and Technology or on Grants.gov before investing time in an application.

Funding and Timeline

Applications are due by May 8, 2026. Applicants should allow sufficient time to gather required documentation, including organizational information, project descriptions, budgets, and supporting materials as specified in the program guidelines. Submitting a complete application well ahead of the deadline reduces the risk of disqualification on technical or administrative grounds.

Program Focus

This grant supports eligible programs and projects. This grant is associated with NAICS industry classifications: 541715, 541380, 541511, 31, 32. Organizations operating in these sectors are encouraged to review eligibility. Funded projects are expected to demonstrate measurable outcomes aligned with the program's stated objectives. Grant recipients may be required to submit progress reports and final evaluations as a condition of the award, and to retain records for audit and compliance purposes.

How to Apply

Eligible organizations can apply through Grants.gov. Create a free organization profile on GrantRegister to see whether this grant matches your organization's NAICS code, entity type, location, and focus area, and to receive a weekly digest of every open grant you qualify for.

GrantRegister maintains a complete, authoritative registry of US federal, state, and foundation grant opportunities — matched automatically to your organization profile and delivered every Monday.

Eligibility

• Funded by NIST
• Programs related to artificial intelligence
• Programs related to manufacturing

Award details

Applications close on May 8, 2026.

Categories

Not categorized