Mass. Manufacturing Innovation Initiative (M2I2)

Mass. Manufacturing Innovation Initiative (M2I2)

  • On May 25, 2022

   

Massachusetts has made a substantial commitment to developing the Manufacturing USA infrastructure within the state’s academic, research and manufacturing industry. Through the creation of sector-specific Manufacturing USA Centers, M2I2 will advance innovations and job growth within the state through cross-collaboration among companies, universities, national labs, government, incubators, accelerators, and other academic and training institutions.

Overview:

  • Over $80M invested to date on business expansion and educational projects to secure our advanced manufacturing leadership.
  • Over 60 collaborative projects created to date connecting manufacturers with universities, other companies, and R&D Centers, Federally Funded R&D Centers (FFRDCs), and the Manufacturing USA communities.
  • Manufacturing Innovation Infrastructure investments by launching four Laboratories for Education & Application Prototypes (LEAPs) and three Fabric Discovery Centers (FDCs).
  • Regional multi-million dollar education and prototyping centers in advanced photonics, fabrics, robotics, and flexible electronics.

 

Guidelines

Any project related to the Manufacturing USA Centers within the borders of Massachusetts is welcome to engage in the process outlined below. This process will help inform entiies if the state will support their project with cost share, and help them obtain approval, contracts, and grants. Entities that want to apply for state cost share grants, should engage with M2I2 program leads as early as possible in their project development; ideally, prior to project calls.

Application Process

The application may be filled out and submitted to the Innovation Institute at MassTech on a rolling basis.

Applications will be reviewed at least quarterly.

Complete application here.

Types of Grants

Grants are available for capital purchases only. Any capital expenditure to be funded by the Mass Tech Collaborative under this program must be one that will be accounted for by the recipient in its financial records as a capital expenditure under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”).

Examples of such capital expenditures could include expenditures for the purchase of equipment and the development of new technology platforms or systems, the acquisition of land and existing facilities, construction of new buildings and the renovation of existing buildings. Such capital expenditures may also include salaries of staff directly engaged in planning and managing capital projects to the extent such expenditures are capitalizable under GAAP. Salaries of individuals engaged in operations, as well as other operating costs, are not capital expenditures

Eligible Locations

All projects granted through this process must have direct impact within the borders of the Commonwealth. The capital acquired must be installed within the borders of the Commonwealth.

Eligible Applications

Project must be aligned with manufacturing institute focus.

The applicant also must have, or plan to have, operations in Massachusetts.

Additionally, all applicants must be an institution of higher education in Massachusetts or have a partnership with an institution of higher education located in Massachusetts.

Applications that include elements that contribute to geographic, social, racial and economically equitable outcomes will be viewed favorably.

Duration of Contracts

All cost share funds must be drawn within the fiscal year(s) specified in the contract. Contracts may span multiple fiscal years if the equipment purchased spans multiple fiscal years, but this shoudl be specified up front.

Fiscal year is from July 1 – June 30.

Reporting

All projects that receive cost share from the M2I2 program must report at least annually on progress and impacts of the project to the state.

 

REGISTER HERE