NIST MEP Center State Competition FY2026 Round 2

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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: Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Utah, Vermont, and in the U.S. Territory of Puerto Rico. The MEP Center will provide support to small and mid-sized manufacturers (SMMs) to adopt and/or scale up advanced manufacturing technologies that improve U.S. industrial competitiveness and SMM economic outcomes. Advanced manufacturing technologies are those that integrate innovations such as robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), automation, advanced materials, additive manufacturing, or biotechnology, into a manufacturing environment that optimize production, improve efficiency, or create new, highly customized products. In addition, the MEP Center will become part of the MEP National Network,™ which consists of MEP Centers across the United States and Puerto Rico, with nearly 1,400 trusted manufacturing advisers and experts at more than 450 MEP service locations, with oversight provided by the MEP program at the federal level.

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-02.

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 annual performance reviews and annual funding availability.

NIST anticipates funding fourteen (14) awards for the amounts listed in the table below:

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 or Matching 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.

Competition Timeline Below is an outline of key actions and dates. Updates and changes will be posted to this site as needed.

MEP Resources The following resources are currently available:

• 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
• Oversight Board Standards Rev. 2025

Informational Webinar NIST MEP hosted an informational webinar on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. ET for applicants who are interested in learning about this funding opportunity. The recording is now available. This webinar provided general information on this NOFO and offered 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).

Teaming Partner List While eligibility for the program listed in this NOFO is open to a United States-based non-profit institution, an institution of higher education, or a State, United States territory, local, or tribal government, or a consortium thereof, NIST MEP facilitates cooperation among private-sector industry partners, government agencies, academic institutions, economic development organizations, and other manufacturing ecosystem stakeholders to demonstrate, deploy, and adopt advanced manufacturing technologies.

MEP invites entities seeking to connect with potential applicants or other entities to join a public teaming partner list. If you would like to be added to the list, please complete the form. The results will be shared publicly.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 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). Answers to such written questions submitted to NIST MEP may be made available to the public in an FAQ document, which will be periodically updated on this page.

Important Notice for Applicants Please carefully and thoroughly review the Evaluation Criteria, Review, and Selection Process on pages 27–31 of the NOFO.

All applications submitted by the deadline will undergo an initial screening to determine:

• Eligibility
• Completeness
• Full Responsiveness to the NOFO and program objectives

Note: Applications that are incomplete, ineligible, or non-responsive will be eliminated from further consideration. We strongly encourage all applicants to double-check their materials and ensure high-quality work product against the guidelines prior to submitting.

**Applications in response to the NOFO must be received no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, on August 21, 2026.

Contacts

• MEP Headquarters
  • [email protected]
  • (301) 975-5020
  • 100 Bureau Drive, M/S 4800 Gaithersburg, MD 20899-4800

Created June 4, 2026, Updated August 13, 2026