The NIST MEP Disaster Assessment Program invites applications from current recipients of Manufacturing Extension Partnership Center cooperative agreements (MEP Centers) to perform assessments of small- and medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs) in areas subject to a FEMA Disaster Declaration. These assessments must identify the impact, if any, to SMM operations as a result of the subject disaster. This program is administered by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) under Assistance Listing 11.611.

Overview

MEP Centers receiving funding under this program must assist impacted SMMs in identifying and accessing federal, state, and local resources to aid business recovery efforts and, as appropriate, develop a risk mitigation plan for future disasters. Award recipients are required to share project results, including disaster preparedness lessons learned and SMM best practices, with other SMMs, NIST, and the MEP National Network to support future disaster resilience planning efforts.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants are recipients of current MEP Center cooperative agreements. A MEP Center may work individually or include proposed subawards to other MEP Center cooperative agreement recipients or proposed contracts with other organizations as part of the applicant’s proposal, forming a team or consortium.

• A MEP Center may submit only one funding application per FEMA Disaster Declaration.
• If a MEP Center submits an application for a particular FEMA Disaster Declaration, it may not be included as a subawardee or project participant in any other applications pertaining to the same FEMA Disaster Declaration.
• A MEP Center that does not submit an application for a particular FEMA Disaster Declaration may be included as a subawardee or project participant in only one application for each FEMA Disaster Declaration.

Application Process

Applications for funding pursuant to this NOFO must be received by NIST no later than 60 calendar days following the date a Major or Emergency Disaster Declaration is declared by FEMA for all or a portion of an impacted state or Puerto Rico. NIST expects to complete its review, selection of successful applicants, and award processing within 90 calendar days of application receipt. This program is open and applications will be accepted on a rolling basis based on the date of the subject FEMA Disaster Declaration and subject to the publication of a superseding NOFO. Applicants should apply through Grants.gov.

Deadline and Timeline

• Closing: May 8, 2026 — Applications accepted on a rolling basis within 60 calendar days of a FEMA Disaster Declaration.
• Review and award processing: NIST expects to complete review, selection, and award processing within 90 calendar days of application receipt.

Funding and Benefits

• Funding instrument type: Cooperative agreement
• Cost sharing or matching requirement: No
• Opportunity category: Discretionary
• Category of funding activity: Other (Manufacturing Extension Program)
• Funding opportunity number: 2020-NIST-MEP-MDAP-01

Contact Information

Grantor contact: Ashley Smothers, NOFO Coordinator
Email: grants@nist.gov

Additional information and program documents are available at the NIST MEP Disaster Assessment Program page.