NIST MEP invites applications from current MEP Centers for projects that will add capabilities to the MEP Program by achieving one or more of the criteria set forth in 15 U.S.C. 278k-1(e)(3) and may give priority during the selection process to proposals that will also address one or more of the Program Themes described in Section I. of this NOFO: Industry/Manufacturing 4.0; manufacturing workforce services to include employee recruitment, retention, and employee development; supply chain management and resiliency; and Artificial Intelligence (AI) application. Projects funded pursuant to this NOFO must provide for activities or services beyond those provided for pursuant to an applicant’s and its partnering MEP Centers’ base MEP Center cooperative agreements. See Section I of this NOFO for the full program description.
NIST MEP Competitive Awards Program
National Institute of Standards and Technology · Opportunity number 2021-NIST-MEP-CAP-01
Details summarized from the official notice as of May 9, 2026. Always confirm eligibility, deadlines and requirements in the official notice before applying.
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Key facts
| Opportunity number | 2021-NIST-MEP-CAP-01 |
|---|---|
| Agency | National Institute of Standards and Technology Department of Commerce |
| Assistance listing (ALN, formerly CFDA) | 11.611 |
| Posted | Dec 28, 2020 |
| Deadline | May 8, 2026 |
| Cost sharing or matching required | No |
| Funding type | Cooperative agreement |
| Category | Science technology and other research and development |
| Last updated here | May 9, 2026 |
Summary from the notice
Who can apply
The official notice lists these applicant types as eligible:
- Others named in the notice (see the eligibility text)
Not listed as eligible
- Small businesses
- Nonprofits
- Colleges and universities
- State governments
- Local governments
- Tribal governments and organizations
- Larger for-profit companies
- Individuals
Unless the eligibility text in the notice names you, this opportunity is probably not for you.
Eligibility details from the notice
Applicants for this program must be an active MEP Center that is operating pursuant to a current NIST MEP cooperative agreement. A MEP Center may work individually or may include proposed subawards to other organizations, including but not limited to other MEP Centers, to carry out the activities described in the proposal. An MEP Center may serve as the MEP Center applicant on only one (1) proposal. There are no restrictions on the number of applications in which MEP Centers may be proposed as subrecipients or as non-funded collaborators.
Registrations you will likely need
Most applications submitted through Grants.gov need the following. Registration can take several weeks, so start early. The notice lists the exact requirements.
- SAM.gov registration for your organization, which also gives you a Unique Entity ID (UEI). Registration is free.
- A Login.gov account, which Grants.gov uses for sign-in.
- A Grants.gov applicant registration linked to your organization's UEI.
Past awards for this program
Totals for assistance listing 11.611 from public USASpending.gov data, as of Jun 7, 2026. Past awards do not predict future funding.
| Year | Listing | Awards | Total | Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 11.611 | 1 | $13,583,025 | $13,583,025 |
| 2025 | 11.611 | 3 | $88,653,471 | $29,551,157 |
| 2024 | 11.611 | 1 | $61,372,076 | $61,372,076 |
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