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METROLOGY FOR SUSTAINABLE ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES AND THE ENVIRONMENT IN THE WESTERN 

HEMISPHERE (M4SET)

M4SET Project Proposal and Application Package

Guidance for SIM and OAS Member States (National Metrology Institutes and Designated Institutes)

Project Description

Developing the Western Hemisphere’s sustainable energy technologies requires adequate metrology infrastructure, 

accurate traceability, calibration and measurement capabilities, and adherence to internationally recognized 

measurement standards. This project has been designed to support capacity building, research opportunities and 

collaborative activities to bridge the gap between technical capabilities and energy and environmental policies. 

The M4SET project will improve the understanding and application of metrology in the fields of energy infrastructure, 

energy technologies, energy efficiency and environmental science through training and awareness of relevant highranking government officials and technical stakeholders. Training and technical support will be delivered through 

knowledge sharing, short-mid-term technical exchanges (maximum six month) and regional cooperation. These 

efforts will contribute to greater involvement of the metrology community in developing measurements needed to 

support energy technologies, and ultimately to contribute to economic growth in the Americas.

Project Proposals (Not to exceed US$35,000.00. Includes travel, perdiem, training materials, and other transportation 

expenses)

Applicants should demonstrate a well-developed understanding of the challenges or capabilities they are seeking to 

overcome or improve. Submissions must include detailed information on how the project will be organized, how financial 

support will be utilized, the expected outcomes, and how the activity will strengthen existing or develop new essential 

measurement services. The implementation of proposed activities should be coordinated with NIST and OAS. The latter 

will defray the costs related to the activities. Funds will not be transferred to the applicant.

Joint applications that bring together multiple beneficiaries will be prioritized. The rationale is to encourage potential 

applicants in the National Metrology Institutes (NMIs) to engage with their national counterparts in the ministries of 

energy, environment, normalization and accreditation bodies in ways that broaden the project’s impact at the country or 

regional level. Similarly, applicants are encouraged to work with other SIM colleagues. Partners should discuss the roles 

and responsibilities of each Institute and detail these in the application (pg. 2 – 3). 

Application Guidelines

Applications will be reviewed in the order they are received. OAS and NIST will review each application to ensure it meets

the M4SET’s objectives, and to determine viability based on resource requirements. Applicants may be asked to provide 

further clarifications regarding their submissions before a final determination is made. OAS and NIST may contact the 

applicant to discuss arrangements and begin coordination. Approvals are subject to the availability of financial resources.

If you have questions regarding the application or the program’s objectives, please email Bibiana Serna 

(BSerna@oas.org), Magdalena Navarro (magdalena.navarro@nist.gov) and Andrew Conn (andrew.conn@nist.gov).
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M4SET 

Annex I: Project Application

Please submit your completed application to Bibiana Serna (Bserna@oas.org), Magdalena Navarro (mnavarro@nist.gov), and 

Andrew Conn (andrew.conn@nist.gov). Please include the phrase “M4SET project” in your subject line. 

Project Title:

Project Type: Conference/Workshop Training Course(s)/Webinar Technical exchanges Other*

*If your proposal does not fit within one of the defined activity types above, please select ‘other’ and explain the activity in the summary 

section below. 

Metrology Area of Impact:

Proposing Country or Countries:

Proposing Institute(s):

Please indicate all institutes that will 

benefit from the proposed project

Names of participating: 

Expected start date (if applicable):

Expected completion date (if 

applicable):

Project summary:

Briefly describe the project topic, 

planned activities, 

A. timing and other important details.

Cost Estimate:

Please provide an estimated cost for 

the activity and explain.
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In-kind contributions

Will your institute, or partnering 

institutes, augment resources 

provided by this project if the activity 

is approved? This may be in the form 

of meeting services, time, travel 

expenses, technical or material 

support to a partnering institute or 

country. 

Meeting Services (auditorium, 

audio, materials, alimentation, 

buses, etc.)

US $_________

Travel Expenses (Air 

flight/per diem)

US $________

Other

US $_________

Number of people involved in the coordination of the Activity: __________ 

Average hours used for coordinating the activity # hours: ______

Average cost per hour US$ _______

Is your organization willing to provide technical or material support to a partnering institution or 

country? (e.g. host interns from other NMIs in your organization) Explain:

Name(s) and Email address(es) for 

application representative(s): 

Management Approval:

Signature NMI Director or Responsible 

institute.

Name:

Email:

Co-sponsor(s) Approval (If 

applicable): 

Name:

Email:

Signature:

Activity Objectives and Organization 

In this section, please describe the expected impact the proposed activity will have on the participating NMIs and/or 

participating organizations. Please explain how the activity will be organized and the technical components to the activity. 

1) Relevance: What problem does this proposal seek to address? How will this activity improve the services provided by those

Institutes benefiting from the activity in the areas of energy and the environment? How does this project enhance your 

measurement capabilities to support your country’s environmental efforts on air quality, renewable energy development, energy

efficiency performance, sustainable energy technologies, or others related?

2) Technical Objectives and Expected Outcomes: Please explain the technical aims of the project and how those objectives will be 

met. How would the activity organizers define a successful outcome?

3) Organization and Arrangements: How will the activity be executed? If the project includes multiple partners and beneficiaries, 

please explain what role each benefiting member will play in the success of the activity.