The Commerce Department announced on Tuesday that the National Institute of Standards and Technology has awarded more than $30 million to 12 Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) sites. The funding supports MEP centers across 11 states and Puerto Rico, aiming to help small- and medium-sized manufacturers adopt advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, automation, and additive manufacturing.
What it means
The awards require recipients to secure at least 50 percent in nonfederal matching funds or cost share, adhering to federal law that caps government provision of capital and yearly funds for an MEP center at no more than half. Each awardee must enter a cooperative agreement with NIST for an evaluation period of up to five years, though the current awards cover only the first year of the project. Future funding depends on availability, performance reviews, and alignment with program priorities.
Site awardees are required to develop metrics for technology adoption that will be shared across the MEP network and engage with flagship manufacturers in identified “priority sectors.” NIST initially announced the funding opportunity in July, requesting applications from Puerto Rico and 13 states. While centers in California and Alaska were invited to apply, they were not selected in this round; NIST plans to accept applications from those two states in a competition scheduled for early 2027.
Key facts
- $30 million: Total amount awarded by NIST
- 12: Number of MEP centers funded
- 11 states and Puerto Rico: Geographic scope of awards
- 50%: Minimum nonfederal matching funds required
- Up to five years: Duration of cooperative agreement evaluation
- July 2026: Month funding opportunity was announced
- Early 2027: Scheduled competition for Alaska and California applications
Source: Commerce Department announcement