Opportunity Information: Apply for 2026 NIST MEP 02
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is running a competitive funding opportunity to select organizations that will establish and operate Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Centers in a specific set of locations. The competition covers 13 states (Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Utah, and Vermont) plus the U.S. Territory of Puerto Rico. The purpose is to fund the entities that will serve as the official MEP Center in each of these jurisdictions, delivering manufacturing assistance and modernization support to small and medium-sized manufacturers as part of the national MEP network.
This opportunity is being offered as a discretionary award using a cooperative agreement, which generally means NIST expects to have substantial involvement in the project after award (for example, through oversight, coordination, and performance monitoring typical of cooperative agreements). The program sits in the Science and Technology and other Research and Development activity category and is associated with CFDA number 11.611. NIST anticipates making up to 14 awards, reflecting one award for each listed state and Puerto Rico, assuming sufficient qualified applications and available funds.
Eligibility is limited to U.S.-based organizations that can credibly operate a statewide (or territory-wide) center. Applicants may be a U.S.-based nonprofit institution, an institution of higher education, or a state, territorial (specifically Puerto Rico), local, or tribal government. Consortia of these eligible entity types are also allowed, which is often relevant when an applicant structures the center as a partnership among universities, nonprofits, and government entities to cover statewide service delivery and technical capabilities. The announcement does not specify an award ceiling in the provided summary information.
Key administrative details include the funding opportunity title, "Manufacturing Extension Partnership Center State Competition," and the funding opportunity number, "2026 NIST MEP 02." The notice was created on July 22, 2026, and the application deadline is August 21, 2026. Organizations interested in competing should be prepared to demonstrate the capacity to run an MEP Center for the named jurisdiction, including governance, staffing, partnerships, and the ability to deliver measurable manufacturing extension services aligned with NIST MEP expectations.Apply for 2026 NIST MEP 02
- The National Institute of Standards and Technology in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Manufacturing Extension Partnership Center State Competition" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 11.611.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-07-22.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-08-21. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 14 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this funding opportunity?
The funding opportunity title is Manufacturing Extension Partnership Center State Competition.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is 2026 NIST MEP 02.
Which federal agency is offering this opportunity?
The opportunity is offered by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
What is the program this opportunity supports?
This competition supports the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program, specifically to select organizations to establish and operate MEP Centers in certain jurisdictions.
What is the main purpose of the awards?
The purpose is to fund the entities that will serve as the official MEP Center in each listed state and in Puerto Rico, delivering manufacturing assistance and modernization support to small and medium-sized manufacturers as part of the national MEP network.
What type of award is being offered?
This opportunity is offered as a discretionary award using a cooperative agreement.
What does a cooperative agreement mean in this context?
A cooperative agreement generally means NIST expects to have substantial involvement after award, such as oversight, coordination, and performance monitoring typical of cooperative agreements.
How many awards does NIST expect to make?
NIST anticipates making up to 14 awards, reflecting one award for each of the listed states plus one for Puerto Rico, assuming sufficient qualified applications and available funds.
Which locations are included in this competition?
The competition covers 13 states and the U.S. Territory of Puerto Rico. The states are: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Utah, and Vermont.
Is there one award per state or location?
Based on the information provided, NIST expects awards to align as one award for each listed state and Puerto Rico, subject to qualified applications and available funds.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to U.S.-based organizations that can credibly operate a statewide (or territory-wide) center.
What types of organizations are eligible applicants?
Eligible applicants may be a U.S.-based nonprofit institution, an institution of higher education, or a state, territorial (Puerto Rico), local, or tribal government.
Are consortia allowed to apply?
Yes. Consortia of the eligible entity types are allowed, including partnerships among universities, nonprofits, and government entities to support statewide service delivery and technical capabilities.
Can an organization apply if it is not based in the United States?
No. Eligibility is limited to U.S.-based organizations, as stated in the provided information.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 11.611.
What activity category is this opportunity associated with?
The program sits in the Science and Technology and other Research and Development activity category.
When was the notice created?
The notice was created on July 22, 2026.
What is the application deadline?
The application deadline is August 21, 2026.
Is an award ceiling specified in the provided information?
No. The provided summary information does not specify an award ceiling.
What should applicants be prepared to demonstrate in their applications?
Applicants should be prepared to demonstrate the capacity to run an MEP Center for the named jurisdiction, including governance, staffing, partnerships, and the ability to deliver measurable manufacturing extension services aligned with NIST MEP expectations.
Who will the MEP Centers serve?
The centers will deliver manufacturing assistance and modernization support to small and medium-sized manufacturers.
What network will the funded centers be part of?
The funded centers will operate as part of the national MEP network.
Does NIST expect to be involved after an award is made?
Yes. Because this is a cooperative agreement, NIST expects substantial involvement after award, including oversight, coordination, and performance monitoring.
Does this opportunity cover jurisdictions beyond the listed states?
Based on the provided information, the competition is limited to the listed 13 states and Puerto Rico.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development
Next opportunity: Strengthening Ghana Health Service laboratory services, diagnostic networks, and systems for a more effective, efficient, and sustainable response to HIV, TB, and other priority health threats
Previous opportunity: Education and Outreach to Tribal Producers through the Tribal Food Safety Alliance
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for 2026 NIST MEP 02
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (2026 NIST MEP 02) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| NIJ FY 2026 Research and Evaluation of Services for Victims of Crime Apply for O NIJ 2026 172659 Funding Number: O NIJ 2026 172659 Agency: National Institute of Justice Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| Effects of International Parental Child Abduction on Abducted Children and Left-Behind Parents Apply for DFOP0019391 Funding Number: DFOP0019391 Agency: Bureau of Consular Affairs Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $1,973,000 |
| Division of Materials Research: Condensed Matter and Materials Theory (CMMT) Apply for 23 611 Funding Number: 23 611 Agency: U.S. National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences Core Programs (MCB) Apply for 24 539 Funding Number: 24 539 Agency: U.S. National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Division of Environmental Biology (core programs) (DEB) Apply for 24 543 Funding Number: 24 543 Agency: U.S. National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $5,000,000 |
| Division of Integrative Organismal Systems Core Programs (IOS) Apply for 24 546 Funding Number: 24 546 Agency: U.S. National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Fiscal Year 2027 Defense University Research Instrumentation Program (DURIP) Apply for NOFOAFRLAFOSR20260001 Funding Number: NOFOAFRLAFOSR20260001 Agency: Air Force Office of Scientific Research Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $7,000,000 |
| Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Department of War (DoW) Defense University Research Instrumentation Program (DURIP) Apply for N0001426SF003 Funding Number: N0001426SF003 Agency: Office of Naval Research Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| Cooperative Agreement for Affiliated Partner with the Rocky Mountain Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Apply for G26AS00153 Funding Number: G26AS00153 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Cooperative Agreement for Affiliated Partner with the Great Lakes – Northern Forest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Apply for G26AS00155 Funding Number: G26AS00155 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $276,000 |
| Project Constellation: Building a Constellation of Outer Space Partners at the UN Apply for OFOP0003546 Funding Number: OFOP0003546 Agency: U.S. Mission to the International Organizations Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $5,000,000 |
| U.S. National Science Foundation State and Regional Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure Hubs: Apply for 26 513 Funding Number: 26 513 Agency: U.S. National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| FY26 DEFENSE ESTABLISHED PROGRAM TO STIMULATE COMPETITIVE RESEARCH (DEPSCoR) – RESEARCH COLLABORATION (RC) Apply for NOFOAFRLAFOSR20260004 Funding Number: NOFOAFRLAFOSR20260004 Agency: Air Force Office of Scientific Research Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $600,000 |
| FY26 DEFENSE ESTABLISHED PROGRAM TO STIMULATE COMPETITIVE RESEARCH (DEPSCoR) CAPACITY BUILDING (CB) Apply for NOFOAFRLAFOSR20260003 Funding Number: NOFOAFRLAFOSR20260003 Agency: Air Force Office of Scientific Research Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| Cook Inlet Beluga Whale (CIBW) Prey, Salmon Productivity Monitoring at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER). Apply for W9126G262SOI9667 Funding Number: W9126G262SOI9667 Agency: Fort Worth District Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $1,326,101 |
| Cooperative Agreement for Affiliated Partner with the Alaska Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Apply for G26AS00156 Funding Number: G26AS00156 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $453,203 |
| Cooperative Agreement for Affiliated Partner with the Gulf Coast Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Apply for G26AS00158 Funding Number: G26AS00158 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $350,000 |
| Cooperative Agreement for Affiliated Partner with the Californian Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Apply for G26AS00159 Funding Number: G26AS00159 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Cooperative Agreement for Affiliated Partner with the Colorado Plateau Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Apply for G26AS00157 Funding Number: G26AS00157 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $480,000 |
| Engineering (ENG): Electrical, Communications, and Computing Systems (ECCS) Apply for 26 514 Funding Number: 26 514 Agency: U.S. National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "2026 NIST MEP 02", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.