The Make it in America Challenge

Announcement of Federal Funding Opportunity (FFO)

Back to Closed Federal Funding Opportunities

This opportunity is now closed.

Update: Currently the Economic Development Administration, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the Employment and Training Administration and the Delta Regional Authority are reviewing and evaluating proposals, and intend to announce the awardees by Friday, September 20, 2013.

The Make it in America Challenge will provide up to $40 million in competitive grant funding through the US Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration and NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NIST MEP), DOL's Employment and Training Administration, and the Delta Regional Authority. This collaboration allows applicants to submit one application to support the development and implementation of a regional economic development strategy accelerating job creation by encouraging re-shoring by U.S. firms, fostering Foreign Direct Investment, encouraging U.S. companies to keep or expand their businesses in the United States, and training local workers.

NIST is making up to $6 million available through the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) as part of this challenge. MEP expects to issue new cooperative agreements of up to $125,000 per year over three years to up to 15 existing MEP Centers as part of selected Make it in America Challenge projects, subject to availability of funds and satisfactory performance. MEP Center participation could include providing market intelligence and analysis, outreach to existing firms, and technical assistance to businesses looking to relocate or expand in the U.S. The closing date for applications in May 31, 2013.

For more information visit the Make it In America Challenge webpage.

To view full Federal Funding Opportunity,click here.

Important Resources

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
For questions regarding this funding Opportunity, please submit them to Mark Troppe @ mark.troppe [at] nist.gov (mark[dot]troppe[at]nist[dot]gov.) To download the latest FAQ, which provides brief answers to many of questions about the Make it in America Challenge, click here.

Supply Chain Optimization Initiative and the Make it in America Challenge
The tools and resources developed by the Supply Chain Optimization Initiative support the objectives of the Make it in America FFO by enabling companies understand and be able to articulate how their decisions within their supply chains about products, vendors, financing, transportation, warehousing, risk tolerance and greenhouse gas emissions will affect their business performance and their bottom line. Oftentimes, when presented with an understanding of total costs, companies work with domestic suppliers for cost competiveness, quality and closer-to-the-customer reasons. While companies have traditionally considered piece-part price and variation when comparing domestic verses international costs-of-doing-business, the supply chain initiative tools broaden perspectives and provide analytics to support reshoring activities. To learn more about the Supply Chain Optimization, click here.