Opportunity Information: Apply for 2021 NIST MFGUSA RACER 01
The NIST Rapid Assistance for Coronavirus Economic Response (RACER) grant opportunity is a discretionary federal funding program run by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to support fast, high-impact work that helps the United States prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus. The focus is on practical efforts that can move quickly and make a measurable difference, especially through applied research and development and the use of testbeds (realistic development and demonstration environments) that can accelerate deployment, manufacturing readiness, validation, and scale-up of solutions tied to the pandemic and its economic effects. The funding is issued as a cooperative agreement, which typically means NIST expects to have substantial involvement during the project period compared with a standard grant, such as technical coordination, milestone oversight, or collaboration on program goals.
Eligibility is tightly restricted. Only current Manufacturing USA institutes that are not receiving financial assistance under 15 U.S.C. 278s(e), as amended, at the time they submit the proposal are allowed to apply. The eligible applicant institutes listed in the notice are: AFFOA, AIM Photonics, America Makes, ARM, BioFabUSA, BioMADE, CESMII, CyManII, IACMI, LIFT, MxD, NextFlex, PowerAmerica, RAPID, and REMADE. No other entities are eligible to submit an application directly. An eligible institute can propose a project on its own or can structure the effort with subawards, including subawards to other Manufacturing USA institutes if that strengthens the project team and increases impact. NIIMBL is a special case under this opportunity: it cannot receive funding through this notice of funding opportunity (NOFO), but it may participate as an unfunded collaborator if its expertise or facilities add value to a funded project.
While only the specified Manufacturing USA institutes can be the official applicants, the opportunity allows broader participation through teaming arrangements. Individual member companies of the institutes, academic partners, and other organizations or individuals that are not themselves eligible to apply may still participate in the work as part of an institute-led team. In other words, the institute serves as the lead applicant and award recipient, while partners can contribute technical work, resources, and expertise under the institute's project structure (for example, as subrecipients, contractors, or unfunded collaborators depending on the arrangement and allowability).
Key administrative details from the source information include the funding opportunity title (NIST Rapid Assistance for Coronavirus Economic Response, RACER) and funding opportunity number (2021 NIST MFGUSA RACER 01). The activity category is Science and Technology and other Research and Development, and the assistance listing is associated with CFDA (now commonly referred to as Assistance Listing) number 11.619. The program was posted with a creation date of May 24, 2021, and an original application closing date of July 26, 2021. The notice identifies the award instrument as a cooperative agreement. The provided source excerpt does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards in the fields shown, so applicants would need to consult the full NOFO text for budget ranges, project periods, cost share requirements (if any), and evaluation criteria.Apply for 2021 NIST MFGUSA RACER 01
- The National Institute of Standards and Technology in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NIST Rapid Assistance for Coronavirus Economic Response (RACER)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 11.619.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2021-05-24.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-07-26. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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FAQs: NIST Rapid Assistance for Coronavirus Economic Response (RACER)
What is the NIST RACER grant opportunity?
NIST RACER (Rapid Assistance for Coronavirus Economic Response) is a discretionary federal funding opportunity run by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). It supports fast, high-impact work that helps the United States prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus and related economic effects.
What kind of work is RACER intended to fund?
The opportunity targets practical efforts that can move quickly and make a measurable difference. It emphasizes applied research and development and the use of testbeds (realistic development and demonstration environments) that can accelerate deployment, manufacturing readiness, validation, and scale-up of pandemic-related solutions.
What is meant by a "testbed" in this opportunity?
In this context, a testbed is a realistic development and demonstration environment used to validate, de-risk, and accelerate solutions. The goal is to speed up deployment, manufacturing readiness, validation, and scale-up for technologies or approaches tied to coronavirus response and its economic impacts.
Who is eligible to apply as the official applicant?
Eligibility is tightly restricted. Only current Manufacturing USA institutes that are not receiving financial assistance under 15 U.S.C. 278s(e), as amended, at the time they submit the proposal are eligible to apply.
Which Manufacturing USA institutes are listed as eligible applicants?
The eligible institutes listed in the notice are: AFFOA, AIM Photonics, America Makes, ARM, BioFabUSA, BioMADE, CESMII, CyManII, IACMI, LIFT, MxD, NextFlex, PowerAmerica, RAPID, and REMADE.
Can any organization outside the listed Manufacturing USA institutes apply directly?
No. The provided information states that no other entities are eligible to submit an application directly. The institute must be the lead applicant and award recipient.
Can an eligible institute apply alone, or does it need partners?
An eligible Manufacturing USA institute may propose a project on its own or structure the effort with partners. The opportunity specifically allows subawards, including subawards to other Manufacturing USA institutes, if that strengthens the team and increases impact.
Can other Manufacturing USA institutes participate if they are not the lead applicant?
Yes. The information provided indicates that subawards to other Manufacturing USA institutes are allowed as part of an institute-led project, if doing so strengthens the project team and increases impact.
What is NIIMBL's role under this opportunity?
NIIMBL is a special case. It cannot receive funding through this NOFO, but it may participate as an unfunded collaborator if its expertise or facilities add value to a funded project.
Can a company, university, or other organization participate if it is not eligible to apply?
Yes. While only the specified institutes can submit the application, broader participation is allowed through teaming arrangements. Member companies, academic partners, and other organizations or individuals may participate as part of an institute-led team.
How can non-eligible partners be included in an institute-led project?
Non-eligible partners can contribute technical work, resources, and expertise under the institute's project structure. Depending on the arrangement and allowability, they may be included as subrecipients (subawards), contractors, or unfunded collaborators.
What is the award instrument for RACER?
The award instrument is a cooperative agreement.
What does "cooperative agreement" imply for this program?
A cooperative agreement typically means NIST expects substantial involvement during the project period compared with a standard grant. Examples mentioned include technical coordination, milestone oversight, or collaboration on program goals.
What is the funding opportunity number for this NOFO?
The funding opportunity number is 2021 NIST MFGUSA RACER 01.
What is the official title of the funding opportunity?
The title is NIST Rapid Assistance for Coronavirus Economic Response (RACER).
What is the activity category for this opportunity?
The activity category is Science and Technology and other Research and Development.
What Assistance Listing (CFDA) number is associated with RACER?
The opportunity is associated with Assistance Listing (formerly CFDA) number 11.619.
When was the opportunity posted, and what was the original closing date?
The posting creation date was May 24, 2021, and the original application closing date was July 26, 2021.
Does the provided information include the award ceiling or expected number of awards?
No. The source excerpt does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards in the fields shown.
Does the provided information state budget ranges, project periods, cost share requirements, or evaluation criteria?
No. The excerpt notes that applicants would need to consult the full NOFO text for budget ranges, project periods, cost share requirements (if any), and evaluation criteria.
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| Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Great Lakes Northern Forests Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit Apply for G21AS00546 Funding Number: G21AS00546 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $430,000 |
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| Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner with Great Rivers Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit Apply for G21AS00551 Funding Number: G21AS00551 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $499,999 |
| Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner with Chesapeake Watershed Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit Apply for G21AS00552 Funding Number: G21AS00552 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $240,000 |
| C4ISR, Information Operations, Cyberspace Operations and Information Technology System Research, Cryogenics & Quantum Apply for N66001 21 S 4700 Funding Number: N66001 21 S 4700 Agency: Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner with Great Plains Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit Apply for G21AS00558 Funding Number: G21AS00558 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $25,000 |
| Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner with the Gulf Coast Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit Apply for G21AS00559 Funding Number: G21AS00559 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $425,000 |
| Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner with Colorado Plateau Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit Apply for G21AS00555 Funding Number: G21AS00555 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $498,000 |
| Cooperative Agreement for affiliated Partner of the Great Basin Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Apply for G21AS00556 Funding Number: G21AS00556 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $300,000 |
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| Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner with Desert Southwest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit Apply for G21AS00557 Funding Number: G21AS00557 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Cooperative Agreement with Partner of Colorado Plateau Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit Apply for G21AS00554 Funding Number: G21AS00554 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $155,500 |
| Geoscience Opportunities for Leadership in Diversity Apply for PD 21 178Y Funding Number: PD 21 178Y Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Manufacturing USA Technology Roadmap (MfgTech) Grant Program Apply for 2021 NIST MFGTECH 01 Funding Number: 2021 NIST MFGTECH 01 Agency: National Institute of Standards and Technology Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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