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NIST MEP Competitive Awards Program (CAP)

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)

2021-NIST-MEP-CAP-01, Amendment 1

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: If a Center has a CAP award now, i.e., there is a funded project in progress, does that 

preclude them from applying in the upcoming round? 

A: An MEP Center can apply in the upcoming round if they have a current CAP-funded project in 

progress.

Q: Can a Center apply individually for an award and also join a multi-Center proposal? How 

about multiple individual Center one-year proposals? Multiple multi-Center proposals?

A: A Center should apply individually for only one proposal with the funding limit of $1M. A 

Center can also join one or more multi-Center proposals. However, NIST MEP is determined to 

provide all MEP Centers with an opportunity to receive CAP funding. Since the overall budget 

may be limited, applicants may be asked to choose or prioritize their proposals.

Q: For those who applied last year and were not funded, are those proposals still “live” or 

must they be updated and re-submitted?

A: Pending proposals, if reviewed as fundable, are eligible for consideration for up to one year 

from the date the application was received. NIST MEP advises all MEP Centers to review the

new CAP program themes posted on the NIST MEP website (link opens PDF). Applicants with 

pending proposals will be notified that they can either decide to keep the current application 

for consideration or withdraw the pending proposal (an email confirmation is required) and 

submit a new one. 

Q: What is the deadline for the submission of applications?

A: To be considered for funding in the current fiscal year, applicants must submit their

proposal(s) no later than May 1, 2022. These awards will begin no later than Sept. 30, 2022.

Q: Can applicants submit proposals after the current fiscal year?

A: An applicant can submit a proposal at any time while the NOFO is open. However, an 

application submitted after May 1, 2022 will not be considered for funding in the current fiscal 

year budget. Eligible applicants can continue to submit applications via grants.gov for as long as 

the NOFO is active, or until a new NOFO or amendment to the current NOFO is published.

Applications submitted after May 1, 2022, will be considered for funding after Oct. 1, 2022.
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Q: Do multi-Center collaboration proposals automatically qualify the applicant for the 

maximum amount of $5 million in funding?

A: Multiple MEP Centers collaborating on a project do not automatically qualify for the 

maximum amount of $5 million for multi-Center projects. Per the evaluation criteria on Page 22 

of the NOFO, technical reviewers will assess each proposal’s budget based on its 

reasonableness, appropriateness, and rationale relative to the scale of effort and proposed

performance accomplishments identified in the application.

Q: What is the maximum period of performance for the projects?

A: Projects under this NOFO have a maximum period of performance of three years. Applications 

can be defined for less than three years and this is encouraged.

Q: If the Center has 2 projects to propose, should this be 2 proposals or one?

A: Proposals can contain more than one project. The proposal should include details for each 

project, aligned with NOFO section IV. 2. (5). The proposed budgets can be combined in one budget 

worksheet, with appropriate budget narrative.

Q: Can a Center submit multiple $1M proposals?

A: A Center should apply individually for only one proposal with the funding limit of $1M. 

Q: Can a Center submit a proposal for their own award ($1M) and participate in other MultiCenter Proposals.

A: Yes, a center can be part of a $5M proposal also.

Q: If 2 Centers get together and submit a $5M proposal to split the funds - will that be OK? 

Or is there a max of $1M that will go to any Center? 

A: Centers are free to propose 2 states participating in a $5M multi-state proposal, but the size 

of awards will be subject to appropriations and larger awards may need to be negotiated to a 

lower amount based on available resources and program priorities. 

Q: If a single SRA joins with another MEP Center – is that viewed as a multistate proposal? 

Or does the multistate proposal need to involve all or almost all SRAs in that State?

A: No, If the funded partner is one SRA of a State MEP, it would not count as a multi-state

proposal, unless the agreement was with State Host.