MEP Center State Competition

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, administers the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program to strengthen the competitiveness of small and medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs) across the United States. The MEP National Network consists of over 1,440 trusted advisors and experts at approximately 460 locations, providing U.S. manufacturers with the resources needed to improve productivity, workforce development, technology adoption, and market expansion. This cooperative agreement opportunity continues that mission by establishing new MEP Centers in eight U.S. states: Idaho, Illinois, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The funding opportunity invites eligible applicants to establish and operate a MEP Center in one of the specified states. Each MEP Center will be responsible for delivering comprehensive, impactful, and customized manufacturing extension services within its geographic service area. The award is structured as a cooperative agreement with substantial involvement from NIST, including collaboration on project implementation and oversight. Awardees will become part of the national MEP Network, leveraging its shared knowledge, best practices, and federal partnerships to serve manufacturers locally. Eligible applicants include U.S.-based nonprofit institutions, institutions of higher education, state or local governments, tribal governments, and consortia thereof. Incumbent MEP Center operators in good standing with at least ten years of continuous NIST funding are also eligible. Individuals and for-profit entities are not eligible to apply. Successful applicants must demonstrate the capability to directly manage all core MEP Center functions including budget execution, policy implementation, human resource management, and strategic project oversight. The anticipated federal funding varies by state, with annual amounts ranging from $713,200 for West Virginia to $6,877,960 for New York, totaling $3.6 million to $34.3 million per award over a five-year initial performance period. A non-federal cost share of at least 50% is required annually. Awards may be renewed for an additional five years contingent on performance and funding availability. Applications must include detailed budgets, governance structures (Oversight Board or Advisory Committee), and a plan for providing services aligned with state manufacturing needs. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov by January 5, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Required components include the SF-424 forms, budget documents, project narrative, governance documentation, resumes of key personnel, and letters of commitment. A recorded pre-application webinar is available via the NIST MEP website. Awards are expected to begin March 1, 2026, with up to eight cooperative agreements to be issued. Review will consist of merit evaluation, panel scoring, and final selection based on funding availability, merit rankings, and alignment with federal priorities. This program operates on an annual competition cycle, and applicants may expect similar opportunities in future years. NIST will not critique or provide feedback on applications prior to submission but will respond to general questions via mepnofo@nist.gov.

Ensure the Oversight Board or Advisory Committee structure meets all requirements by the deadline; cost share commitments should be clearly documented with support letters; proposals should align with market needs and state priorities.