The U.S. Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) announced on July 22 in Gaithersburg, Maryland, a new funding opportunity to establish 14 Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) centers aimed at helping small and medium-sized U.S. manufacturers (SMMs) adopt advanced manufacturing technologies.
The funding opportunity will support new MEP centers in Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Utah, and Vermont, strengthening regional manufacturing ecosystems and enhancing U.S. industrial competitiveness.
Small and medium-sized manufacturers account for approximately 98% of the U.S. manufacturing base. Through the MEP program, NIST works with industry, universities, government agencies, economic development organizations, and other stakeholders to help manufacturers deploy advanced technologies, improve productivity, and strengthen supply chains.
"This new funding opportunity and competition will help strengthen manufacturing across the United States and expand the impact of the MEP program," said Arvind Raman, Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and Director of NIST. "With a renewed focus on advanced technology adoption and strong partnerships, MEP can help supercharge the American manufacturing ecosystem and improve U.S. industrial competitiveness through its small and medium-sized manufacturers."
The new centers will focus on accelerating the adoption and scaling of advanced manufacturing technologies, expanding production capabilities, improving supply chain integration, and supporting workforce development.
NIST defines advanced manufacturing technologies as innovations that incorporate artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, automation, additive manufacturing, advanced materials, and biotechnology into manufacturing environments to improve efficiency, optimize production, and enable the development of highly customized products.
Selected applicants will be required to provide at least a 50% nonfederal cost share and will enter into cooperative agreements with NIST to operate the centers. Once established, the centers will become part of the MEP National Network™, a nationwide system comprising nearly 1,400 manufacturing advisers and experts serving businesses through more than 450 service locations across the country.
NIST plans to award funding of up to:
Alabama: $2.19 million
Alaska: $706,300
Arkansas: $1.29 million
California: $15.64 million
Georgia: $3.23 million
Louisiana: $1.54 million
Massachusetts: $2.96 million
Missouri: $2.66 million
Montana: $839,900
Ohio: $6.08 million
Pennsylvania: $6.11 million
Puerto Rico: $939,133
Utah: $1.49 million
Vermont: $812,300
To assist prospective applicants, NIST MEP will host an informational webinar on July 28, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. EDT, providing guidance on the funding opportunity and application process.
Applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. EDT on Aug. 21, 2026.
The initiative reflects the U.S. government's continued emphasis on strengthening domestic manufacturing by helping smaller manufacturers adopt next-generation production technologies, improve resilience, and compete more effectively in an increasingly technology-driven global industrial landscape.
