About this programme
The Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) is a program run by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), part of the U.S. Department of Commerce. It exists to strengthen small and medium-sized manufacturers across the country by connecting them to a nationwide network of hands-on business advisors, rather than by handing out grants.
MEP is not a single office you apply to. It is a national network of roughly 1,400 manufacturing advisors and experts working out of more than 450 service locations, delivered through state-designated MEP Centers that cover all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Each Center is a locally run organization — the services and program design can differ from state to state, but every Center operates under the same national MEP mission.
The program traces back to founding legislation in 1988, which set out MEP's purpose, eligibility framework, Center cost-share requirements, performance standards and evaluation criteria, and created a MEP Advisory Board. NIST's MEP Program Office is headquartered in Gaithersburg, Maryland, and oversees the network's federal funding and compliance.
Because MEP works through a cost-shared, state-based network rather than a single federal application, a manufacturer's actual next step is to find and contact its state's MEP Center — that Center, not NIST directly, scopes the specific help and any associated cost.
How it works
MEP is a public-private partnership: federal appropriations fund about 50% of each Center's costs, with the remaining half coming from state or local government and private-sector sources, supplemented by fees charged to the manufacturers who use the services.
NIST's own research (cited via a GAO study on the program) frames the client-fee element as deliberate: charging manufacturers for services increases their investment in the outcome, while the public-funding half keeps services within reach of smaller producers who couldn't otherwise afford this level of advisory support.
Each MEP Center sets its own service menu and engagement terms within the national framework, so the specific mix of training, consulting or technical assistance — and what, if anything, a manufacturer pays — is determined at the Center level, not centrally by NIST.
NIST MEP monitors how federal MEP funds are used under 2 CFR 200 (the federal uniform grants-management guidance), which governs how Centers account for and report on the federal share of their funding.
Who can apply
NIST states that any manufacturer can take advantage of the services provided by MEP Centers; the program is built around small and medium-sized manufacturers specifically, though the official pages reviewed here did not publish a specific employee-count or revenue threshold that defines eligibility — confirm size criteria with your state's MEP Center directly, since it may vary by Center program.
There is no separate national eligibility application: eligibility is determined at first contact with the relevant state MEP Center, which will confirm fit for its specific programs.
How to apply
- Identify your state's MEP Center using the interactive map at nist.gov/mep/centers/map, the quick-list directory at nist.gov/mep/centers/quick-list, or by calling the national MEP line at (800) MEP-4MFG.
- Contact that Center directly — NIST does not process manufacturer requests centrally. The Center's staff, described by NIST as "trusted business advisors," work with you from there.
- Discuss your manufacturing challenge or goal with the Center (examples NIST cites include productivity, technology adoption such as Industry 4.0, cybersecurity, supply chain resilience, and workforce development) so the Center can scope the relevant service and any cost-share or fee that applies.
Frequently asked
Is NIST MEP a grant program?
No. MEP is a nationwide advisory and technical-assistance network, not a grants program you apply to for funding. Manufacturers work directly with their state's MEP Center for consulting, training and technical support; some MEP Centers or NIST-run pilot initiatives can carry their own funding components, but the core MEP offering is hands-on assistance, not a cash award to the manufacturer.
Who runs my local MEP Center?
MEP Centers are state-designated organizations, not NIST field offices — NIST funds and oversees the national network, but each Center is run locally and can differ in its specific programs and how it structures fees. Find yours via the interactive map or quick-list at nist.gov/mep/centers.
Does it cost money to use MEP services?
It can. The MEP funding model combines federal appropriations (about 50%) with state/local and private funding plus client fees, so manufacturers may be charged for some services depending on the Center and the engagement. Ask your state Center directly what a specific engagement would cost.
Can any manufacturer use MEP, or only certain sizes?
NIST's own MEP overview page states that any manufacturer can take advantage of MEP Center services, and the program is oriented toward small and medium-sized manufacturers. The official pages reviewed did not publish a specific size cutoff (employees or revenue) — confirm with your state Center.
What kind of help do MEP Centers actually provide?
NIST lists leadership training, value stream mapping, cybersecurity consulting, Industry 4.0 technology adoption support, supply chain resilience services, workforce development, and customized consulting and training among the services MEP Centers deliver, though the exact menu varies by Center.
How old is the MEP program?
MEP was first authorized by legislation in 1988, which set out the program's purpose, eligibility framework, cost-share rules, and performance standards, and it has operated as a national network ever since.
Reviewed 2026-08-16. Programmes change — confirm current eligibility, amounts and deadlines on the official page before you apply. CapEasy is a private consultancy and is not affiliated with any government authority.