The Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) - a program of the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standards and Technology - has sought for more than two decades to strengthen American manufacturing. It is a national network of affiliated manufacturing extension centers and field offices located throughout all fifty states and Puerto Rico. Funding for MEP Centers comes from a combination of federal, state, local and private resources. Centers work directly with manufacturing firms in their state or sub-state region. MEP Centers provide expertise, services and assistance directed toward improving growth, supply chain positioning, leveraging emerging technologies, improving manufacturing processes, work force training, and the application and implementation of information in client companies through direct assistance provided by Center staff and from partner organizations and third party consultants. 21st Century Manufacturing seeks to generate a better understanding of the operation, achievements, and challenges of the MEP program in its mission to support, strengthen, and grow U.S. manufacturing. This report identifies and reviews similar national programs from abroad in order to draw on foreign practices, funding levels, and accomplishments as a point of reference and discusses current needs and initiatives in light of the global focus on advanced manufacturing,Table of ContentsFront MatterSummary1 The Structure and Role of MEP2 U.S. Manufacturing in Global Context3 MEP and Lean Manufacturing4 Development of MEP Center Metrics5 MEP Center Performance Measures and Evaluations of Program Outcomes6 New Approach: Next Generation Strategy7 Foreign Programs to Support Applied Research and Manufacturing8 Findings and RecommendationsAppendixesAppendix A1: Canada's Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP)Appendix A2: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft: The German Model of Applied ResearchAppendix A3: Taiwan's Industrial Technology Research Institute: A Cradle of Future IndustriesAppendix A4: Catapult: Britian's New Initiative in Applied ResearchAppendix A5: The Carnot Initiative in FranceAppendix B: An Evaluation of the MEP: A Cross Study Analysis--Jan YoutieAppendix C1: MEP Center Data (FY2010-2011)Appendix C2: Open-ended Responses from Center DirectorsAppendix D: Bibliography