NIST MEP Center State Competition FY2026

Back to Open Notice of Funding Opportunities

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)

The NIST Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), authorized by 15 U.S.C. § 278k, is seeking applications from eligible applicants to enter into a cooperative agreement to operate an MEP Center in the following states: Idaho, Illinois, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The MEP Center will provide manufacturing extension services to small and mid-sized manufacturers (SMMs). The MEP Centers will provide comprehensive manufacturing extension services to small and mid-sized manufacturers (SMMs) and will become part of the MEP National Network,™ which consists of MEP Centers across the United States and Puerto Rico, with over 1,440 trusted advisors and experts at approximately 460 MEP service locations.

View the full Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) at https://grants.gov/search-results-detail/360938.

Please submit your proposals via www.grants.gov under Funding Opportunity Number 2026-NIST-MEP-01.

Anticipated Amounts
NIST anticipates funding one (1) award in each of the States below. Each award will have a 5-year initial award period, subject to performance reviews and funding availability, with an additional 5-year award period based on performance reviews and funding availability.

In FY26, NIST anticipates funding eight (8) awards for up to:

Eligible Applicants
In accord with 15 U.S.C. § 278k(a)(5), eligibility for the program listed in this NOFO is open to a United States-based non-profit based institution, an institution of higher education, or a State, United States territory, local, or tribal government, or a consortium thereof. Per 15 U.S.C.§ 278k(h)(2), operators of incumbent MEP Centers that have received financial assistance for ten (10) consecutive years and that the Secretary determines are in good standing are eligible to apply under this NOFO. The eligibility requirements set forth in this NOFO will be used in lieu of, and to the extent they are inconsistent with will supersede, those given in the MEP regulations found at 15 C.F.R. part 290, specifically 15 C.F.R. § 290.5(a)(1).

Please note that individuals and unincorporated sole proprietors are not considered “non-Federal entities” and are not eligible to apply under this NOFO. Although Federal entities are not eligible to receive funding under this NOFO, they may participate as unfunded collaborators.

As discussed in Section I.2. of this NOFO, NIST generally will not fund applications that propose an organizational or operational structure that, in whole or in part, delegates or transfers to another person, institution, or organization the applicant’s responsibility for core MEP Center management and Oversight functions. In addition, the applicant must have or propose an Oversight Board or Advisory Committee structure or plan for establishing a board structure within 90 days from the award start date.

Cost Sharing Requirements
Cost sharing or matching funds of at least 50 percent are required for awards issued pursuant to this NOFO. Non-federal cost sharing is that portion of the project costs not borne by the Federal Government. The applicant’s share of expenses may include cash, services, and third-party in-kind contributions, as described at 2 CFR §200.306. The source and detailed rationale of the cost share, including cash, full- and part-time personnel, and in-kind donations, must be documented in the Budget Narrative and Justification submitted with the application and will be considered as part of the review under the evaluation criterion found in Section IV.2.a.(7) of this NOFO. As with the Federal share, any proposed costs included as non-Federal cost sharing must be an allowable/eligible cost under this program and under the Federal cost principles set forth in 2 CFR part 200, Subpart E.

Non-federal cost sharing incorporated into the budget of an approved financial assistance award is subject to audit in the same general manner as Federal award funds. See 2 CFR part 200, Subpart F.

MEP Resources
The following resources are currently available:

• NIST MEP Strategic Plan
• Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership Operating Outcome Plan Guidelines
• Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership General Terms & Conditions
• Required MEP Single-Year Budget Workbook Template
• Required Award Budget Summary Table Template
• Most recent MEP Annual Report
• Oversight Board Standards Rev. 2025

Webinar Information Session
NIST MEP will post a recorded webinar for applicants who are interested in learning about this funding opportunity. This webinar will provide general information regarding 2026-NIST-MEP-01 and offer general guidance on preparing proposals. Please reference https://www.nist.gov/mep for the most up to date information, including details about the webinar. Remaining questions should be sent to mepnofo [at] nist.gov (mepnofo[at]nist[dot]gov). Proprietary technical questions about specific proposal ideas will not be permitted, and NIST will not critique or provide feedback on any proposal ideas at any time before the deadline for all applications. However, questions about the funding opportunity, eligibility requirements, evaluation and award criteria, selection process, and the general characteristics of a competitive application will be addressed by the webinar and by e-mail to mepnofo [at] nist.gov (mepnofo[at]nist[dot]gov).