Precision Measurement Grant Program (PMGP) | 2022 NIST PMGP 01

Precision Measurement Grant Program (PMGP) FAQs

What is the Precision Measurement Grant Program (PMGP)?

The Precision Measurement Grant Program (PMGP) is a discretionary grant opportunity offered by the U.S. Department of Commerce through the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). It supports work that advances precision measurement and measurement science, including related research and development efforts where accurate, reliable, and standardized measurement capabilities are essential.

Which federal agency runs PMGP?

PMGP is administered by NIST, which is part of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Is PMGP a discretionary grant or an entitlement program?

PMGP is described as a discretionary grant opportunity, meaning awards are made competitively based on the notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) and proposal review.

What is the program category for this opportunity?

The opportunity falls under the "Science and Technology and other Research and Development" category.

What is the CFDA number associated with PMGP?

The program is associated with CFDA number 11.609.

What is the official funding opportunity number?

The official funding opportunity number listed is 2022 NIST PMGP 01.

When was this funding opportunity announced?

The program announcement date provided is November 18, 2021.

What was the application deadline for this notice?

The application deadline listed for this cycle was February 4, 2022.

Who is eligible to apply in general terms?

Eligibility is intentionally broad. The key requirement is that the applicant must be a non-Federal entity under the terms of the notice.

Are universities and colleges eligible to apply?

Yes. Accredited institutions of higher education are listed as eligible applicants, as long as they qualify as non-Federal entities under the notice.

Are nonprofit organizations eligible?

Yes. Non-profit organizations are eligible, provided they meet the non-Federal entity requirement.

Are for-profit companies eligible?

Yes. For-profit organizations incorporated in the United States are included among the eligible applicant types.

Can state or local government entities apply?

Yes. Public-sector applicants are eligible, including state, local, territorial, and Indian tribal governments, as long as they are non-Federal entities.

Are Indian tribal governments eligible applicants?

Yes. Indian tribal governments are specifically listed among eligible public-sector applicants.

Can foreign organizations apply?

Yes. The program allows participation by foreign public entities and foreign organizations, indicating that international institutions may be eligible so long as they meet the non-Federal entity definition used in the notice.

Are individuals eligible to apply?

No. Individuals are explicitly not considered non-Federal entities for purposes of this NOFO and are not eligible to submit applications.

Are unincorporated sole proprietors eligible?

No. Unincorporated sole proprietors are not considered non-Federal entities for this opportunity and therefore are not eligible to apply.

Can federal agencies or federal laboratories apply for funding?

No. Federal entities cannot receive funding under this opportunity.

Can a federal entity participate in a project in some other way?

Yes. The notice allows federal entities to be involved as unfunded collaborators. That means a federal lab or agency group may contribute expertise, facilities, or coordination without receiving PMGP funds directly.

What kinds of projects is PMGP intended to support?

The funding is intended to support measurement-focused research and development that advances measurement science. The emphasis is on projects where accurate, reliable, and standardized measurement capabilities are essential to achieving the technical outcomes.

How many awards were expected?

The opportunity lists an expected 200 awards, suggesting NIST anticipated making a relatively large number of grants or cooperative awards under this program cycle.

What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The award ceiling is listed as 0 in the summarized record. This typically means a single maximum award amount was not specified there and that award sizes may vary based on factors such as proposal scope, available funds, and program priorities described in the full notice.

Does an award ceiling of 0 mean the grants are not funded?

No. In this context, a ceiling of 0 usually indicates that the summary did not specify one fixed maximum award amount. The information provided indicates the program anticipated making awards and lists an expected number of awards.

Is PMGP described as a research and development program?

Yes. PMGP is structured as a research and development grant program managed by NIST, with an emphasis on advancing precision measurement capabilities and measurement science outcomes.

What does it mean that PMGP is "managed by NIST"?

Based on the information provided, NIST is the agency offering and administering the opportunity, including issuing the notice (2022 NIST PMGP 01) and overseeing awards under the program.

Is the opportunity open to multiple sectors?

Yes. The eligibility description indicates it is open to a wide range of organizational applicants across academia, industry, government (non-Federal public entities), and international institutions.

Does the program encourage international collaboration?

The notice allows foreign public entities and foreign organizations to participate, which signals openness to qualified measurement-focused research and collaborations that may involve international institutions, as long as the applicant meets the non-Federal entity requirement described in the notice.