Manufacturing Extension Partnership

10/09/2026

Opportunity for Manufacturing Leaders! 📢

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is seeking nominations for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Advisory Board!

If you are a leader in manufacturing or industrial extension services, this is your chance to help shape the future of U.S. manufacturing.

Who should apply?
✅ CEOs and executives from small and medium-sized manufacturers
✅ Academic leaders at colleges and universities
✅ Experts with manufacturing experience

What does the board do? Board members 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 are accepted on an ongoing basis and considered as vacancies arise.

Learn more at: https://www.nist.gov/mep/about-nist-mep/advisory-board

10/02/2026

Happy National Manufacturing Day (MFG Day)! 🇺🇸

From healthcare equipment to infrastructure and national defense, U.S. manufacturing keeps our nation secure and moving forward.

Through programs and laboratories at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), we empower American manufacturers to innovate, scale, and succeed globally. By accelerating advanced manufacturing and technology adoption—alongside cutting-edge research and strategic partnerships—we help build a safer, more resilient economic future.

Learn how NIST drives manufacturing talent and tech:
🔗 https://www.nist.gov/manufacturing

09/30/2026

Hosted by Arkansas Manufacturing Solutions (AMS) and the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce/Associated Industries of Arkansas, the Arkansas Manufacturing Showcase brings manufacturers, industry partners, and manufacturing leaders from across the state together for two days of learning, networking, and practical solutions.

The event features 130+ exhibitors, technology and automation demonstrations, expert-led breakout sessions, and discussions focused on the issues shaping manufacturing today, including workforce, operational excellence, technology adoption, energy, and supply chain resilience.

Arkansas Manufacturing Showcase
September 30-October 1, 2026
Statehouse Convention Center, Little Rock, AR

Learn more: https://arkansasstatechamber.com/arkansas-manufacturing-showcase-2026/

Join us for the second annual Arkansas Manufacturing Showcase, a dynamic, two-day event highlighting the strength, innovation, and future of Arkansas manufacturing. Presented by Entergy, this year’s event brings together manufacturers, suppliers, and industry leaders from across the state.

09/23/2026

Congratulations to Maryland MEP Director Michael Kelleher on being named to The Daily Record’s MD500 for manufacturing!

Kelleher, an accounting graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park, serves as board chair of the American Small Manufacturers Coalition and is involved with Regional Manufacturing Institute of Maryland and the Howard County Youth Apprenticeship Council. He is a Leadership Maryland 2019 alumnus.

The premier recognition program honors the most influential and accomplished professionals across Maryland.

Read more at: https://thedailyrecord.com/md500/manufacturing/michael-kelleher/

09/15/2026

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://www.nist.gov/news-events/news/2026/09/nist-awards-more-30-million-mep-centers-11-states-and-puerto-rico

09/07/2026

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

08/18/2026

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.

08/12/2026

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Manufacturing Extension Partner-ship (MEP) is seeking applications from eligible applicants to enter into a cooperative agree-ment 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 manufactur-ers (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 facili-tates cooperation among private-sector industry partners, government agencies, academic in-stitutions, economic development organizations, and other manufacturing ecosystem stake-holders to demonstrate, deploy, and adopt advanced manufacturing technologies.

MEP invites entities seeking to connect with potential applicants or other entities to join a pub-lic 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 Day-light Time, on Aug. 21, 2026.

Join the list:
https://www.nist.gov/mep/mep-center-state-competition-teaming-partner-list

07/27/2026

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) has released a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the NIST MEP Center State Competition FY2026.

NIST MEP is seeking applications from eligible organizations to enter into a cooperative agreement to operate MEP Centers in Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Utah, and Vermont.

These MEP Centers will strengthen manufacturing ecosystems by encouraging the adoption or scale-up of advanced technologies to improve production capacity and capability, supporting supply chain integration, and developing a strong manufacturing workforce. They will also become part of the MEP National Network™.

NIST MEP will host an informational webinar on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at 1 p.m. ET. The webinar will provide general information about this NOFO and offer guidance on application preparation.

Register at:
https://events.zoomgov.com/ev/Aqc-AkHlYa8wiuDk3xEaV5_OoqYunmOXRxTlkvu39HbRa5U77NhO~AhnjZSK5-XxH6_xXr3H-Ae45KzC-esmobg8_Hn0ar5uL3kx1pUD-9qWnYQ

07/04/2026

Manufacturing over the past 250 years has evolved from handcrafted goods to technology-focused, automated production. Mass assembly lines and steam power have evolved into an integration of artificial intelligence and robots that walk the factory floor.

One common theme over these years is the critical role manufacturing plays in our lives. From the food we eat to the clothes we wear, manufacturing is at the core of who we are, how we live, and what makes the United States a global leader.

Today, we celebrate 250 years of innovation, freedom, and domestic production that have built the nation since 1776. Happy 4th of July!

Find a celebration near you at:
https://freedom250.org/