MEP Center State Competition | 2026 NIST MEP 01

Opportunity Information: Apply for 2026 NIST MEP 01

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), through its Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program, is running a state-based competition to select organizations to operate NIST MEP Centers in eight states: Idaho, Illinois, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. This is a discretionary funding opportunity released under Funding Opportunity Number 2026 NIST MEP 01, and it will be awarded as a cooperative agreement, meaning the selected recipients should expect substantial involvement and ongoing collaboration with NIST rather than a hands-off grant relationship. The opportunity sits within the Science and Technology and other Research and Development activity area and is listed under CFDA 11.611.

The core purpose of the competition is to identify strong, capable operators that can run an MEP Center and deliver manufacturing extension services within the listed states. In practice, an MEP Center functions as a statewide hub that supports manufacturers with hands-on assistance, tools, and expertise aimed at improving competitiveness, productivity, and operational performance. While the short notice text does not spell out program deliverables in detail, the stated intent is clear: NIST is looking for competitively selected partners who can lead and execute the MEP mission at the state level under a formal cooperative agreement framework.

Eligibility is broad and open to all non-federal entities. Eligible applicants include institutions of higher education, state governments, U.S. territories, local governments, and Tribal governments, as well as consortia made up of these entities. This structure is designed to allow different types of organizations, including multi-partner coalitions, to propose an approach that fits their state manufacturing ecosystem, provided they can meet the responsibilities associated with operating an MEP Center and working closely with NIST.

NIST anticipates making eight awards, aligning with the eight states listed in the announcement. The notice does not provide an award ceiling amount in the supplied data, but it does provide key timing information: the opportunity was created on 2025-12-04 and the original application closing date is 2026-01-05. Applicants considering submission should be prepared for a competitive selection process and should plan their proposals around demonstrating the capability, governance, partnerships, and operational readiness needed to manage an MEP Center under a cooperative agreement with NIST.

• 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 "MEP 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 2025-12-04.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-01-05. (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 8 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for 2026 NIST MEP 01

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: