Embedding MEP in Manufacturing USA Institutes Pilot Projects – Round 3 | 2017 NIST MEP EMUSA 02

Opportunity Information: Apply for 2017 NIST MEP EMUSA 02

The "Embedding MEP in Manufacturing USA Institutes Pilot Projects - Round 3" opportunity is a National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) funding announcement that supports pilot projects meant to strengthen how small and mid-sized U.S. manufacturers access and adopt advanced manufacturing technologies. The core idea is to connect the nationwide NIST Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) network, which already works directly with smaller manufacturers, with the specialized technology capabilities housed in Manufacturing USA Institutes. Through these pilots, NIST is looking for practical, results-driven models that show how MEP Centers can help manufacturers move faster from awareness of an emerging technology to real-world implementation, especially in the technical areas where Manufacturing USA Institutes are focused.

Only current, NIST-funded MEP Centers are eligible to apply, and awards are made through cooperative agreements, meaning NIST expects an active role in project oversight and collaboration rather than a hands-off grant. To be eligible under this Round 3 competition, an applying MEP Center must already have a documented collaboration or teaming relationship in place with one or more of five specified Manufacturing USA Institutes, and that relationship must be evidenced at the time of application via letter(s) of commitment from the Institute partner(s). A key structural requirement is that the MEP Center must embed at least one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) MEP staff member at a designated "primary" Manufacturing USA Institute, defined as the Institute where that embedded personnel will be placed. This embedded model is intended to make the partnership operational and action-oriented, not just advisory, by placing MEP expertise inside the Institute environment and creating a direct bridge back to small manufacturers.

This Round 3 announcement is limited to partnerships with five Manufacturing USA Institutes that, according to NIST, were not already hosting embedded MEP representatives as a result of earlier related competitions. The five eligible Institutes are: the Advanced Regenerative Manufacturing Institute (ARMI), the Advanced Robotics Manufacturing (ARM) Institute, the National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals (NIIMBL), the Rapid Advancement in Process Intensification Deployment (RAPID) Institute, and the Reducing Embodied-energy and Decreasing Emissions (REMADE) Institute. In practice, this means proposals should align their technology acceleration activities with one or more of these Institutes' topical areas, such as regenerative manufacturing, robotics, biopharmaceutical manufacturing innovation, process intensification, or sustainable materials and remanufacturing focused on energy and emissions reduction.

NIST signals a strong preference for proposals that go beyond a single Center and a single Institute. While a single MEP Center can apply, NIST encourages multi-party efforts that involve multiple MEP Centers, multiple Manufacturing USA Institutes, and additional regional or sector partners that can help with outreach, workforce and training connections, technology commercialization support, or local adoption pathways. Examples of encouraged collaborators include economic development organizations, universities, community colleges, incubators, and other organizations that can help turn Institute-level R&D assets and demonstrations into practical, adoptable solutions for smaller manufacturers.

There are also a few important participation rules. An MEP Center may only be the applicant (lead) on one proposal for this Round 3 opportunity, but there is no stated limit on how many proposals an MEP Center or a Manufacturing USA Institute can join as a collaborator. In addition, participation in earlier rounds does not disqualify an organization: MEP Centers that received Round 1 or Round 2 awards may still apply or collaborate in Round 3. This setup is meant to expand the embedded model into additional Institutes while still allowing experienced Centers to build on what they have already learned.

From the funding notice metadata, this is a discretionary federal opportunity administered by NIST under CFDA 11.611, with an anticipated number of five awards. The opportunity number is 2017 NIST MEP EMUSA 02, the original closing date listed is 2017-06-02, and the funding instrument type is a cooperative agreement. While the excerpt does not specify an award ceiling amount, the structure and emphasis are clear: NIST is paying for pilot demonstrations of how embedding MEP staff into Manufacturing USA Institutes can produce measurable technology acceleration support for small and mid-sized manufacturers, using formalized partnerships that are already established and ready to execute at the time the application is submitted.

• The National Institute of Standards and Technology in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Embedding MEP in Manufacturing USA Institutes Pilot Projects – Round 3" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 11.611.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2017-04-03.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2017-06-02. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 5 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for 2017 NIST MEP EMUSA 02

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