NIST Awards $30 Million to MEP Centers in 12 Regions

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has awarded more than $30 million to 12 Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) centers. The funding, announced by the U.S. Department of Commerce agency, aims to help small and medium-sized manufacturers increase their use of advanced manufacturing technology.

According to NIST, the competitively awarded funds will support centers in 11 states and Puerto Rico. The technologies targeted include artificial intelligence, robotics, automation, and additive manufacturing.

Funding and Award Details

The $30 million in federal funding requires awardees to secure nonfederal matching funds of at least 50 percent. Each selected center will enter into a cooperative agreement with NIST for an initial performance period of up to five years.

This award covers the first year of each project. Future funding will depend on annual performance reviews, the availability of money, and how well the projects align with the priorities of the MEP program, NIST, and the Department of Commerce.

NIST Director Arvind Raman linked the investment to broader industrial goals. "This funding will help to ensure that our country’s small and medium-sized manufacturers increase their industrial competitiveness through advanced technology," Raman said. He added that the centers can help drive technology adoption at scale and support partnerships that strengthen domestic supply chains.

Awardee Locations and Network Scope

The awards were made to MEP centers in specific regions. New awardees were selected in Louisiana, Missouri, and Ohio. The remaining awards went to incumbent organizations already operating centers.

The funded centers are located in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Utah, and Vermont. The centers are part of the MEP National Network, which includes nearly 1,400 manufacturing advisers and experts at more than 450 service locations across the country.

Program Requirements and Future Plans

The cooperative agreements require the development of metrics for tracking technology adoption. These metrics will be shared across the national network. Centers must also actively engage with flagship manufacturers in priority industry sectors they identify.

A funding opportunity was originally open to applicants from 13 states and Puerto Rico. However, NIST did not select any centers for Alaska or California in this round. The institute plans to accept applications for these two states in its next competition, which is scheduled for early 2027. Cooperative agreements for those awards are anticipated to begin on April 1, 2027.

The MEP program provides federal oversight for the national network of centers, which focus on the manufacturing process on the factory floor and related investments.