Precision Measurement Grant Program

The Precision Measurement Grant Program (PMGP), administered by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) under the Department of Commerce, seeks applications for research in fundamental measurement, testing basic laws of physics, and determination of fundamental constants with emphasis on emerging opportunities and pressing problems. Eligible applicants include accredited institutions of higher education, non-profit organizations, for-profit organizations incorporated in the United States, state and local governments, Indian tribes, and foreign public entities—but not individuals or unincorporated sole proprietors. Applications will undergo a two-phase competition process, with pre-applications due April 9, 2026, and full applications due June 22, 2026. Evaluation will be based on four equally weighted criteria: importance of the proposed research, relationship to NIST's ongoing work, feasibility and potential impact, and qualifications of the applicant. For programmatic and technical questions, applicants should contact Dr. Peter Mohr at 301-975-3217 or mohr@nist.gov, and for grant rules and regulations, Nuria Martinez at nuria.martinez@nist.gov.

Awards will provide up to $50,000 annually for project performance periods of up to three years, totaling a maximum of $150,000 per award, with incremental funding available subject to performance progress and continued funding availability. The project performance period begins in September 2026 following award processing completion expected by August 2026. No non-federal cost share is required, and applicants must submit all materials electronically through Grants.gov, with pre-applications limited to five pages and full applications to ten pages. Construction activities and product development or commercialization are not allowable costs under this program.