Maritime Innovation Grant

The Maritime Innovation Grant is administered by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation through its Office of Future Mobility and Electrification as part of the State of Michigan’s broader economic and environmental strategy. This program is directly aligned with the Michigan Maritime Strategy, a comprehensive ten year statewide initiative designed to strengthen the maritime economy, protect the Great Lakes, and position Michigan as a leader in water based transportation and innovation. The grant serves as a financial mechanism to accelerate implementation of this strategy by supporting projects that demonstrate measurable impact across economic development, sustainability, and technological advancement within the maritime sector. The primary purpose of the Maritime Innovation Grant is to fund projects that contribute to four central objectives outlined in the state strategy. These objectives include modernizing maritime infrastructure and improving intermodal transportation connectivity, accelerating the transition to clean energy within maritime operations, investing in research and workforce development initiatives, and enhancing the sustainability and resilience of ports, harbors, and waterfronts. Eligible projects must clearly align with at least one of these priorities and demonstrate the ability to produce long term benefits that extend beyond the duration of the grant funding period. Funding under this program is structured as reimbursement based support tied to milestone completion. Applicants may request up to 500000 dollars per project, and all funded activities must take place within the state of Michigan. The program requires that projects incorporate either digital or physical maritime infrastructure components and demonstrate a strong public private partnership. Matching funds or in kind contributions are mandatory, reinforcing the expectation that recipients share financial responsibility and commitment to project success. The grant also emphasizes long term impact, requiring applicants to articulate how their projects will continue delivering value after the grant period ends. Eligibility is restricted to entities capable of forming public private partnerships, excluding State of Michigan agencies from applying directly. While the source does not explicitly enumerate all eligible entity types, the requirement for partnership structures implies participation from private sector organizations, nonprofits, academic institutions, and potentially local governments collaborating with non state partners. All proposals must be located within Michigan and must clearly demonstrate alignment with the state’s maritime strategy priorities. The application process is competitive and involves multiple stages of review. Applicants must complete a standardized application, which is initially screened internally by the Office of Future Mobility and Electrification to confirm eligibility and minimum qualifications. Qualified applications are then evaluated by a multi agency review committee that includes representatives from several Michigan state departments involved in maritime strategy implementation. Finalists may be invited to participate in one on one discussions and due diligence reviews before final approval is granted by the committee. Evaluation criteria are clearly defined and equally weighted across five categories. These include the quality and feasibility of the proposed project, the strength and experience of the project team and partners, the clarity and justification of the project budget including matching funds, alignment with the Michigan Maritime Strategy, and the robustness of the evaluation plan and performance metrics. Each category is assigned twenty points, indicating a balanced emphasis on strategic alignment, operational feasibility, and measurable outcomes. The application timeline for the program is fixed for the current cycle. Applications open on April 8, 2026 and remain available for thirty days, with a final submission deadline of May 8, 2026 at 1159 PM Eastern Time. An informational webinar was held on April 10, 2026 to provide guidance to prospective applicants. Funding decisions and notifications are scheduled to be announced by June 1, 2026. Awardees are required to submit progress reports at each milestone and a final report upon project completion, ensuring accountability and tracking of outcomes throughout the grant lifecycle.

Ensure strong alignment with Michigan Maritime Strategy objectives; clearly define budget and matching funds; demonstrate measurable outcomes and long term impact