The FY27 Massachusetts Manufacturing Innovation Initiative (M2I2)

The Mass Tech Collaborative is accepting applications for the FY27 Massachusetts Manufacturing Innovation Initiative (M2I2), a state grant program supporting Massachusetts-based innovators preparing to manufacture hard-tech products, with a concept paper deadline of July 27, 2026 and a full application deadline of August 17, 2026 for selected applicants.

Eligible applicants are institutions of higher education (including state, municipal, and community colleges and universities), nonprofit organizations, or public or quasi-public entities located in Massachusetts. Private-sector companies must partner with a Massachusetts-based institution of higher education, nonprofit organization, or public entity that will serve as the contracting entity for any award. All applicants must first schedule an eligibility meeting with the CAM team before submitting a concept paper.

Grant funding is restricted to capital purchases including equipment, development of new technology platforms or systems, and related capital costs; land acquisition, new building construction, and staff salaries are ineligible. All funded capital equipment must be installed within Massachusetts borders and accounted for as capital expenditures under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. Projects must feature hard-tech products at Technology Readiness Levels 4–6 with demonstrated proof of concept, advancing to pilot-scale manufacturing for validation or customer testing.

Applicants must secure a minimum 1:1 cost match from non-state sources, including federal grants, private investment, and third-party contributions, provided such funds are verifiable, not sourced from other state grants, and not used as matching funds for other federally or state-supported projects. All submissions must be received by 11:59 PM on their respective deadline dates to be included in that quarter's cohort. The program evaluates proposals on technical innovation, project feasibility, job impact on Massachusetts, market impact, community benefit (demonstrated through university-company research collaborations, workforce training partnerships, or nonprofit partnerships addressing local challenges), budget soundness, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. Recipients must report annually on project progress and impacts for every active year and for one year following project completion, and must present on their M2I2 project at a public event designated by the Commonwealth.