NIST Measurement Science and Engineering (MSE) Research Grant Programs
U.S. Department of Commerce — National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
Award amount not specified; ~300 expected awards
Rolling federal grant/cooperative agreement program supporting measurement science, standards, AI, advanced manufacturing, and communications research.
The NIST Measurement Science and Engineering (MSE) Research Grant Programs support research and partnership activities in metrology, standards, nanotechnology, artificial intelligence, advanced communications, advanced manufacturing, promotion of U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness, measurements in sciences, neutron research, and coordination of the U.S. standards system. The NOFO is open to for-profit organizations and other non-Federal entities on a rolling basis in the cycle that closed September 15, 2026. The program is between intakes and the next round is unannounced.
- Funding type
- Grant
- Level
- Federal
- Amount range
- Award amount not specified; ~300 expected awards
- Realistic amount
- NIST research awards typically range from tens of thousands to several million dollars depending on scope
- Deadline
- Rolling through September 15, 2026
- Status
- active
- States
- Nationwide
Who qualifies
- For-profit organizations
- Institutions of higher education
- Non-profit organizations
- State and local governments
- Indian tribes
- Hospitals
- Foreign public entities and foreign governments
Who is not eligible
- Federal agencies
- Individuals
- Unincorporated sole proprietors
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Research personnel
- Equipment
- Travel
- Other direct costs allowable under 2 CFR 200
- Participant support where appropriate
Ineligible expenses
- Costs unallowable under 2 CFR 200
- Lobbying or political activities
How to apply
-
1
Review the FY25 MSE NOFO
Download the MSE NOFO and amendment from Grants.gov to understand research areas and submission requirements.
~4 hrs
-
2
Register in SAM.gov and Grants.gov
Ensure your organization has an active SAM.gov registration/UEI and a Grants.gov account.
~4 hrs
-
3
Prepare application
Prepare SF-424, project narrative, budget, and other required documents aligned with NIST partnership or research priorities.
~60 hrs
-
4
Submit on a rolling basis
The most recently published window closed September 15, 2026. NIST has not announced a successor round; watch Grants.gov for the next notice.
~1 hrs
The rolling deadline means last-minute submissions are possible, but competition is broad across NIST's research areas; align the proposal tightly with NIST partnership programs or standards priorities.
Deadline & timing
Rolling intake; applications were accepted up to the closing date of September 15, 2026, which has now passed. No cost sharing required.
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Required documents
- SF-424 application package
- Project narrative
- Budget and budget narrative
- SAM.gov registration/UEI
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