NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP)
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
Subsidized consulting services
Expert manufacturing help at subsidized rates
A nationwide network of 51 state-based centers (one per state + Puerto Rico) that gives small and mid-sized manufacturers access to subsidized consulting they could not otherwise afford. Each center fields ~1,400 advisors across 450+ locations who help you cut waste, reduce costs, adopt new technology, train your workforce, and navigate cybersecurity requirements — at rates typically 40–60% below what a private industrial consultant charges. The first consultation is usually free. Engagements run from a one-day lean audit to multi-month process transformation projects.
- Funding type
- Program
- Level
- Federal
- Amount range
- $0
- Realistic amount
- The economic value delivered varies widely by engagement type. A lean manufacturing assessment (typically 1–3 days) runs…
- Deadline
- Rolling — no application deadline. Contact your state MEP center at any time.
- Status
- active
- States
- Nationwide
- Payment model
- subsidized services
Who qualifies
- Must be a U.S.-based manufacturer — meaning the business's primary activity falls within NAICS sectors 31, 32, or 33 (manufacturing industries). Service businesses, retailers, and distributors are generally not eligible for the core MEP program.
- Primary focus is small and medium-sized manufacturers, typically defined as fewer than 500 employees — this is the federal statutory target for the program. Very large manufacturers (Fortune 500) are generally not the target, though some centers work with tier-1 suppliers of any size.
- Must be located in the U.S. (includes all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and U.S. territories served by the nearest center). Foreign-owned manufacturers operating U.S. facilities are typically eligible.
- No minimum revenue requirement — startups establishing manufacturing operations through large established plants can all access MEP.
- No SAM.gov registration required — MEP is a services program, not a federal grant or contract to the manufacturer. The MEP Center receives federal funding; the manufacturer simply engages with the center as a client.
- Some individual MEP centers may have state-specific eligibility criteria for subsidized rates (e.g., must have a facility in the state, must be below a certain revenue threshold for the deepest subsidies). Check with your state center for local requirements.
Hard requirements
- Restricted to specific NAICS codes: 31, 32, 33
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Lean manufacturing assessments and kaizen events (value stream mapping, waste elimination, 5S implementation)
- Process improvement consulting and implementation support (cycle time reduction, quality systems, OEE improvement)
- Cybersecurity assessments and CMMC compliance preparation (especially for defense-supply-chain manufacturers needing CMMC Level 2 certification)
- Workforce development planning and training program design (upskilling, apprenticeship program development, supervisory training)
- Technology adoption planning and implementation (Industry 4.0 readiness, IoT sensors, robotics feasibility, ERP selection and deployment support)
- Supply chain analysis, vulnerability mapping, and diversification planning
- Export readiness assessments and international market entry support (some MEP centers partner with SBA Export Assistance Centers)
- Business growth and strategic planning consulting
- Sustainability and energy efficiency assessments
- Product and process innovation support (new product introduction, design-for-manufacturability)
Ineligible expenses
- Capital equipment purchases — MEP is a services program, not a capital grant. MEP advisors can help you evaluate equipment investments, but the program does not fund equipment itself.
- Physical materials, raw materials, or inventory
- Real estate, building construction, or facility costs
- Debt repayment or working capital loans
- Subsidies for non-manufacturing businesses (retail, distribution, service companies) — the program is NAICS 31-33 specific
- Direct R&D funding — MEP can support technology adoption and innovation readiness, but cash R&D grants come through separate programs (SBIR, DoE, DoD)
- Legal or accounting fees (MEP does not fund professional services outside manufacturing operations improvement)
How to apply
-
1
Find your state MEP center
Go to nist.gov/mep/centers and click your state on the interactive map, or call (800) MEP-4MFG. Each state has one primary MEP center (sometimes with multiple regional offices). Download the one-pager PDF for your state to see the center's key contacts and service areas.
~0.25 hrs
-
2
Request an initial consultation (typically free)
Contact the center's intake coordinator. Describe your business: what you make, number of employees, biggest operational challenges (waste, quality, workforce, technology, cybersecurity, export readiness). Most centers offer a free 1–4 hour initial assessment — either on-site or virtual — to identify where MEP services would deliver the most value. This is a discovery call, not a sales pitch. Be candid about your pain points.
~2 hrs
-
3
Receive diagnostic assessment and service proposal
The MEP center advisor visits your facility (or meets virtually for certain assessments like cybersecurity). They conduct a structured diagnostic — often using NIST's standard assessment tools for lean maturity, cybersecurity posture (CMMC readiness), workforce gaps, or supply chain vulnerability. At the end, they produce a written assessment with prioritized recommendations and a proposed engagement scope. This is where the subsidized rate is quoted.
~4 hrs
-
4
Sign engagement letter and begin work
If the proposal fits your needs, sign a simple engagement letter (not a federal contract — this is a business services agreement with your state MEP center). The letter specifies scope, timeline, deliverables, and your fee. Work begins according to the project plan. Engagements range from a single 1-day kaizen event to multi-month continuous improvement programs.
~1 hrs
-
5
Complete impact survey at project close
After your project concludes, the MEP center asks you to complete a brief annual client impact survey reporting your actual outcomes (jobs retained, cost savings achieved, new sales, new capital investment). This data feeds NIST MEP's national impact reporting. Participation is expected as part of the client relationship but is not legally required.
~0.5 hrs
Industry & certifications
NAICS codes: 31, 32, 33
State center quality varies enormously — ask explicitly: 'Do you have a specialist in [lean/cybersecurity] or will you assign a generalist?' Smaller state centers may have 6–8 week wait times. The cost-share model incentivizes centers toward multi-month engagements; push back if scope feels inflated for your bottleneck. MEP centers also separately administer competitive cash grants (MEP Vouchers, ~$5K–$25K) — ask your center if any cash programs are currently open.
Deadline & timing
MEP is a rolling-access program with no annual application cycle or competitive deadline. Manufacturers can contact their state MEP center at any time. Some specific MEP center programs (e.g., workforce training cohorts, cybersecurity voucher programs) may have their own intake windows — check directly with your state center. Find your center at nist.gov/mep/centers or call (800) MEP-4MFG.
Programs that stack well
- SBIR Phase I — Department of Defense
- Sbir Phase 1 Nist
- Sba 7a Loan
- Sba 504 Loan
- Department Of Energy Industrial Efficiency Grants
- Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act Grants
- Nist Advanced Manufacturing Technology Consortia
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.