Measurement Science and Engineering (MSE) Research Grant Programs

The U.S. Department of Commerce, through the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), has released the FY 2025 Measurement Science and Engineering (MSE) Research Grant Programs under NOFO number 2025-NIST-MSE-01. This opportunity provides funding across thirteen NIST grant programs, including directorates and laboratories such as the Associate Director for Innovation and Industry Services (ADIIS), Communications Technology Laboratory (CTL), Engineering Laboratory (EL), and the CHIPS Research & Development Office (CRDO), among others. Each program targets specialized scientific domains ranging from metrology and advanced manufacturing to artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and neutron research, supporting NIST’s mission to promote U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness through measurement science and standards. This funding opportunity is designed to support activities that develop, expand, or sustain NIST partnerships and research collaborations. Projects may cover a wide array of topics including metrology, standards development, nanotechnology, artificial intelligence, advanced communications, and coordination of the U.S. standards system. Proposals may also address workforce development, public safety technologies, cybersecurity innovations, and environmental measurement systems. Each program has unique focus areas, and prospective applicants are encouraged to review the specific objectives and research scopes aligned with their intended application. The program accepts applications on a rolling basis, with a final submission deadline of May 1, 2026, for consideration in the current fiscal year. Applications must be submitted via Grants.gov, referencing opportunity number 2025-NIST-MSE-01. No paper applications will be accepted. Required documentation includes a full project narrative, budget justification, CVs for key personnel, and a data management plan. Applications should align closely with the mission and priorities of the relevant MSE program. NIST reserves the right to fund only the first year of multi-year projects, with future funding subject to performance and availability. Eligible applicants include a wide range of non-federal entities such as institutions of higher education, nonprofits, for-profit organizations, state and local governments, Indian tribes, hospitals, and foreign public entities and governments. Individuals and unincorporated sole proprietors are not eligible. Special encouragement is extended to minority-serving institutions and community colleges. Funding varies widely by program. For example, ADIIS projects may receive between $5,000 and $500,000 annually, while MML projects may be funded up to $12 million per year. Performance periods can extend up to five years, depending on program-specific guidelines. Matching funds are not required for any of the programs under this NOFO. The assistance instruments used are grants or cooperative agreements, depending on the level of NIST’s anticipated involvement. Applications are evaluated based on four weighted criteria: rationality and alignment with program objectives, technical merit and impact, staff and institutional capability, and budget reasonableness. Each program has specific evaluation rubrics tied to their scientific mission. Points are distributed differently depending on the specific grant program. Contacts for technical and programmatic questions vary by directorate. For example, the ADIIS contact is Bryana Head at bryana.head@nist.gov, while the ADLP contact is Stephanie Shaw at stephanie.shaw@nist.gov. Applicants should refer to the detailed NOFO for the contact corresponding to their intended program. Additional program details and updates are hosted on each laboratory’s or office’s dedicated webpage, accessible via the main NIST website.

Ensure alignment with specific MSE program priorities. Use program manager contacts for clarification. Use Grants.gov tracking to confirm all components have been accepted.