Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP)

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is accepting nominations for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Advisory Board from individuals with relevant experience in manufacturing and industrial extension services. Board members represent the diversity of the U.S. manufacturing industry, including CEOs and executives from small and medium-sized manufacturers, as well as academic leaders at various institutions of higher education.   The purpose of the board is to provide the NIST director with advice on the program's activities, plans, and policies, as well as assessments of the soundness of the program's plans and strategies and of its current performance under those plans.   Nominations will be accepted on an ongoing basis and considered as vacancies arise.   Learn more at: https://lnkd.in/eHKNdkU

Happy National Manufacturing Day! 🇺🇸 A strong domestic manufacturing sector is vital for our economy, national security, and daily life—from critical healthcare supplies to public infrastructure. Through programs and laboratories at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), we power the future of U.S. manufacturing by partnering with industry to: ☑️ Accelerate advanced manufacturing and technology adoption to modernize legacy systems and scale next-generation capabilities ☑️ Develop innovative, safe, and efficient production methods ☑️ Solve complex sector-wide challenges ☑️ Strengthen American competitiveness in global markets Discover how NIST supports manufacturing tech, talent, and innovation: https://lnkd.in/eFsbfxAa #MFGDay26 #SeeYourselfInMFG #MEPNationalNetwork

Join the Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center (VMEC) to celebrate manufacturing and its important impact on the Vermont (VT) economy! Co-hosted with Generator Makerspace, this annual Advanced Manufacturing Day event will focus on learning from VT-based programs that are currently using their skills and connections to close workforce gaps. Attend to share your challenges and hear what others have accomplished, so you can prepare and move forward with your own success story. Connect, Collaborate, and Plan to build a stronger manufacturing workforce. Making It Together: STEAM to Manufacturing October 15, 2026 Generator Makerspace, Burlington, VT Register at: https://lnkd.in/gTzZjcNn

Maryland MEP Director Mike Kelleher has been named to The Daily Record’s MD500 for manufacturing, a premier recognition program honoring the most influential and accomplished professionals across Maryland.   Kelleher, a University of Maryland, College Park, accounting graduate, serves as board chair of the American Small Manufacturers Coalition (ASMC) and is involved with RMI of Maryland and the Howard County Youth Apprenticeship Council. He is a Leadership Maryland 2019 alumnus.   Congratulations Michael! Read more: https://lnkd.in/eebnykrc #manufacturing #MEPNationalNetwork #manufacturers #Maryland

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has awarded more than $30 million in 12 states to help small and medium-sized manufacturers increase the adoption of advanced manufacturing technology, including AI, robotics, automation, and additive manufacturing. The competitively awarded funding will help support Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Centers in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Utah, and Vermont. The funding helps ensure the country’s small and medium-sized manufacturers increase their industrial competitiveness through advanced technology. MEP Centers can help drive successful technology adoption at scale and support critical long-term partnerships that will strengthen domestic supply chains around key industry sectors. The original funding opportunity called for applications from 14 states; however, no selections were made for Centers in Alaska or California. NIST plans to accept applications for these two states in the next competition scheduled for early 2027, with cooperative agreements anticipated to begin on April 1, 2027.    Read the full press release:  https://lnkd.in/dPQ7dJdj #MEPNationalNetwork #manufacturing #manufacturers

Today, we celebrate Labor Day, an annual national holiday dedicated to honoring the social and economic achievements of American workers. 🇺🇸 #LaborDay

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has released a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for 14 Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Centers to improve U.S. industrial competitiveness by helping small and medium-sized manufacturers adopt advanced manufacturing technologies. The funding will establish MEP Centers in Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Utah, and Vermont.   NIST MEP hosted an informational webinar on July 28 to provide general information about this NOFO and guidance on preparing applications.   Applications in response to the NOFO must be received no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, on Aug. 21, 2026. Watch the recording: https://lnkd.in/evDGmKfp #manufacturing #manufacturers #FundingOpportunity #MEPNationalNetwork

From defending critical infrastructure to supporting the workforce of the future, the #ManufacturingUSA network is moving full steam ahead this month. Highlights in our August newsletter include: 🔵 Department of War Manufacturing Technology Program Hits 70 Years: Celebrating seven decades of solving critical defense manufacturing challenges and advancing warfighter capabilities. 🔵 CyManII | Cybersecurity Manufacturing Innovation Institute Secures Infrastructure: Deployed mobile cybersecurity units to protect a Texas water treatment plant, creating a model for safeguarding rural utilities. 🔵 Advanced Functional Fabrics of America (AFFOA) Chemical Protective Challenge: Seeking innovative textiles to protect troops from extreme hazards like rocket fuel. 🔵 REMADE Institute® Funding Awarded: Investing in 10 projects using AI and biotech to commercialize circular economy and recycling tech. 🔵 LIFT Launching Careers: Awarded inaugural scholarships to 25 high school seniors pursuing manufacturing and trade certifications. 🔵 NextFlex REARM Funding Call: Administering a competitive Department of War initiative to accelerate robotics and advanced manufacturing in munitions production. 🔵 Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) NOFO: Open funding opportunity to operate MEP Centers supporting small manufacturers across 13 states and Puerto Rico. Read the full newsletter here: https://lnks.gd/3/3Zm9VBx #AdvancedManufacturing #Innovation #manufacturing

The Arizona Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) team recently welcomed NIST MEP staff for a tour of Axon, an Arizona MEP client and the creator of the TASER.   The visit offered a look at advanced manufacturing, automation, and quality systems supporting a company that generates billions in annual revenue. The MEP group saw Axon's quality assurance processes in action, highlighting the importance of rigorous product testing. #manufacturing #manufacturer #automation #Arizona

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) is seeking applications from eligible applicants to enter into a cooperative agreement to operate an MEP Center in the following states: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Utah, Vermont, and Puerto Rico. The MEP Center will provide support to small and medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs) to adopt and/or scale up advanced manufacturing technologies that improve U.S. industrial competitiveness and SMM economic outcomes.    While eligibility for the program listed in this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is open to a United States-based non-profit institution, an institution of higher education, or a State, United States territory, local, or tribal government, or a consortium thereof, NIST MEP facilitates cooperation among private-sector industry partners, government agencies, academic institutions, economic development organizations, and other manufacturing ecosystem stakeholders to demonstrate, deploy, and adopt advanced manufacturing technologies.   MEP invites entities seeking to connect with potential applicants or other entities to join a public teaming partner list. If you would like to be added to the list, please complete the form at the link below. The results will be shared publicly.   Applications in response to the NOFO must be received no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, on Aug. 21, 2026.   Join the list: https://lnkd.in/e4YHkKam #manufacturing #manufacturers #FundingOpportunity