Precision Measurement Grant Program

The NIST Precision Measurement Grants Program (PMGP) is seeking applications from eligible applicants to support significant research in the field of fundamental measurement or the determination of fundamental constants.

The PMGP was started in 1970 to support research in the field of fundamental measurement or the determination of fundamental constants, enabling the faculties at universities and colleges and laboratory researchers to conduct significant research in this area. By funding the research projects of eligible applicants through this program, NIST supports advances in fundamental measurement, the determination of fundamental constants, and fosters extramural collaboration with NIST scientists. The PMGP also is intended to make it possible for researchers to pursue new ideas for which other sources of support may be difficult to find. There is some latitude in research topics that will be considered under the PMGP.

Eligible applicants include accredited institutions of higher education; non-profit organizations; for-profit organizations incorporated in the United States; state, local, territorial, and Indian tribal governments; foreign public entities; and foreign organizations. Please note that individuals and unincorporated sole proprietors are not considered "non-Federal entities" and are not eligible to apply under this NOFO. Also note that before proposals from federal agencies can be awarded, applicants must affirm that their agency has legal authority to receive funds from another federal agency in excess of their appropriation. Because this notice is not proposing to procure goods or services from applicants, the Economy Act (31 U.S.C. section 1535) does not provide this authority.

Construction activities are not an allowable cost under this program. In addition, a recipient or a subrecipient may not charge profits, fees or other increments above cost to an award issued pursuant to this NOFO. Applications for product development and/or commercialization are not considered responsive to this NOFO.

New awards will be supported up to $50,000 per year with project performance periods of up to three (3) years, for a total of up to $150,000 per award.

The Selection Factors for this competition are: (1) The availability of funding. (2) Whether the project duplicates other projects funded by NIST or other Federal agencies. (3) Relevance to the program objectives as stated in Section I of the PMPG NOFO.

Proposals, reports, documents, and other information related to applications submitted to NIST and/or relating to financial assistance awards issued by NIST will be reviewed and considered by Federal employees, or non-Federal personnel who have entered into conflict of interest and confidentiality agreements covering such information, when applicable. When a proposal for a multi-year award is approved, funding will usually be provided for only the first year of the program. If a project is selected for funding, NIST has no obligation to provide any additional funding in connection with that award. Continuation of an award to increase funding or extend the period of performance is at the sole discretion of NIST. Continued funding will be contingent upon satisfactory performance, continued relevance to the mission and priorities of the PMGP, and the availability of funds. Under the PMPG NOFO, NIST may elect to fully fund awards or to fund awards incrementally, in accordance with the Multi-Year Funding policy.

See submission Dates and Times of current PMPG NOFO.