active Federal Grant

NIST Grants to Industry and Others (Research & Development Grants)

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

Varies: $100K–$5M+

Visit official program ↗ Get early access to matching

The short version

Federal R&D grants in measurement science, AI, cyber, and quantum

NIST awards competitive grants and cooperative agreements to businesses, universities, nonprofits, and government entities for measurement science, standards research, and technology development aligned with NIST's mission areas: advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, quantum information, and materials science. Unlike NIST MEP (subsidized consulting), NIST grants fund active research and development. Most awards go to universities and national labs, but for-profit businesses — especially tech-focused SMBs — are eligible and occasionally compete successfully, particularly in AI, quantum, cybersecurity, and metrology.

Funding type: Grant
Level: Federal
Amount range: $100,000 – $5,000,000
Realistic amount: Most NIST competitive grants to industry are $200,000–$1,500,000 over 2–3 years. Larger cooperative agreements ($3M–$5M+…
Deadline: Multiple NOFOs open throughout the year. Check nist.gov/grants or grants.gov for current opportunities by NIST program office (ITL, PML, MML, CHIPS R&D, etc.).
Status: active
States: Nationwide
Payment model: reimbursement

Who qualifies

Eligible applicants include for-profit businesses, universities, nonprofits, state/local governments, and individuals
For-profit SMBs are eligible — no size threshold for NIST grants generally
Proposed research must align with NIST's mission in measurement science, standards, or technology transfer in a NIST priority area
CHIPS Act-funded NIST grants (e.g., CHIPS R&D) may have sector-specific eligibility (semiconductor/microelectronics focus)
No cost-share required as a rule, but some programs encourage industry co-investment
Active SAM.gov registration required
Applicant must have the technical capability to conduct the proposed research

Hard requirements

Must be incorporated

What it covers

Eligible expenses

Research personnel salaries, fringe, and benefits
Laboratory equipment and scientific instrumentation
Research materials and supplies
Subcontracts with research partners
Travel to professional conferences and collaboration meetings
Publication and dissemination costs
Indirect/overhead costs at federally negotiated rate

Ineligible expenses

Commercial product development disconnected from measurement science or standards
Costs incurred before award execution
Construction of new buildings
Lobbying
Business development or marketing costs

How to apply

1

Monitor NIST grants page and grants.gov for current NOFOs

Visit nist.gov/grants-contracts/grant-opportunities and grants.gov (search by agency DOC-NIST or CFDA 11.609/11.617). NIST posts NOFOs when specific program offices have funds to award. CHIPS Act-related NOFOs are additionally tracked at nist.gov/chips.

~2 hrs
2

Assess alignment with NIST priority areas

NIST evaluates proposals on technical merit and alignment with its mission. Read the NOFO carefully for the specific program focus. The strongest NIST applicants have deep technical expertise in measurement science, calibration, or standards relevant to the target area (AI safety metrics, quantum error correction, manufacturing metrology, etc.).

~4 hrs
3

Develop technical proposal

Prepare a technical proposal addressing the NOFO's evaluation criteria: technical merit, team qualifications, project management plan, and potential for broader impact. Budget must detail direct costs (labor, materials, equipment, travel) and indirect costs at the organization's federally negotiated rate (if applicable).

~40 hrs
4

Submit via grants.gov before NOFO deadline

Upload complete application package (SF-424, technical narrative, budget, CVs) through grants.gov. NIST requires active SAM.gov registration. Submit at least 48 hours early for troubleshooting.

~4 hrs

Insider tip

NIST CHIPS Act grants have opened new funding for semiconductor and microelectronics firms. Technical staff with NIST collaboration history or prior peer-reviewed publications in NIST priority areas are strong applicants.

Deadline & timing

NIST does not have a single annual grants competition — individual program offices issue NOFOs on their own cycles. CHIPS Act funding (FY2022–2026) created a surge of new NIST grant opportunities in semiconductors, microelectronics, advanced packaging, and workforce. Monitor nist.gov/chips and grants.gov for CHIPS-funded NIST NOFOs in addition to NIST's core research programs.

Programs that stack well

Related programs

Last reviewed 2026. GrantCompass is an independent funding-discovery tool and is not affiliated with any government agency. Always confirm details on the official program page.