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.
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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.
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