Measurement Science and Engineering (MSE) Research Grant Programs
NIST funds grants or cooperative agreements for research or collaborative research and partnership activities in measurement science, standards, nanotechnology, AI, advanced communications, advanced manufacturing, neutron research, and related U.S. innovation and standards-system coordination.
⚑ Individuals and unincorporated sole proprietors are ineligible. · NIST says it encourages minority-serving institutions and community colleges to apply. · Both grants and cooperative agreements are allowed; cooperative agreements may imply substantial NIST involvement depending on award.
Unit fits — one characterization, each unit's own rules
| Physical Sciences & Engineering (demo) | 90 strong | technical depth: central; funds applied research |
| IPPRA | 48 partial | outside portfolio topics; social/behavioral work is minor; funds applied research |
| Tom Love Innovation Hub | 45 partial | funds applied research; prototyping/demonstration stage; deep-tech content |
Description
To support activities that develop, expand, strengthen, or sustain NIST partnership programs and/or support the conduct of research or a recipient's portion of collaborative research in a variety of areas including, but not limited to: Metrology; S tandards; N anotechnology; A rtificial I ntelligence; A dvanced C ommunications; A dvanced M anufacturing; P romotion of U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness; M easurements in S ciences; N eutron R esearch; and enhancing coordination of the U.S. S tandards S ystem with government and private sector organizations.
Eligibility
This NOFO is open to all non-Federal entities to include, institutions of higher education, non-profit organizations, for-profit organizations, state and local governments, Indian tribes, hospitals, foreign public entities, and foreign governments. Individuals and unincorporated sole proprietors are not considered “non-Federal entities” and are not eligible to apply under this NOFO. NIST seeks to collaborate with a wide range of organizations and encourages minority-serving institutions of higher education and community colleges to apply.
Apply
View on Grants.gov → CONTACT: Misty L Roosa Management Analyst <nofo@nist.gov>
Proposal brief SEE AN EXAMPLE →
A one-page internal memo: fit assessment, submission requirements, document scaffold, and next steps dated back from the deadline — tailored to your project idea if you add one.
Proposal shell · NOAA / Department of Commerce conventions SEE A NOAA EXAMPLE →
Funder-faithful document skeletons — NOAA / Department of Commerce's document set with section headings, page limits, reviewer guidance, and writing prompts; add a project idea to get [DRAFT] starter bullets. Download as .md for Word or Overleaf.