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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

The short version

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 through September 15, 2026.

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

Who is not eligible

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. 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. 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. 3

    Prepare application

    Prepare SF-424, project narrative, budget, and other required documents aligned with NIST partnership or research priorities.

    ~60 hrs

  4. 4

    Submit on a rolling basis

    Submit via Grants.gov at any time before September 15, 2026.

    ~1 hrs

Insider tip

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 may be submitted at any time up to the closing date of September 15, 2026. No cost sharing required.

Applications are open — don’t lose the window

GrantCompass tracks NIST Measurement Science and Engineering (MSE) Research Grant Programs’s application windows in the live catalog. Leave an email and we’ll warn you before this window closes — and tell you when the next round opens.

Free. One email when the window moves, deadline warnings on your watchlist, and the monthly closing-soon digest. Unsubscribe anytime.

Required documents

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Alternatives computed from the live GrantCompass catalog on August 25, 2026 — all 183 open grant programs · filter the database.

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Researched and verified 2026-08-24 against the official program source. GrantCompass is an independent funding-discovery tool and is not affiliated with any government agency. Always confirm details on the official program page.