Massachusetts grants for Small businesses

This program provides financial support to Massachusetts commercial fishers for using innovative fishing gear and technology in designated seasonal closure areas, while also requiring participation in research and reporting on gear performance.

This funding opportunity provides $5,000 to Massachusetts K-12 schools and organizations for creative projects in the arts, sciences, and humanities that engage students and promote equity and accessibility.

This program provides financial support to minority- and women-owned construction businesses in Worcester to help them increase their operational capacity and compete for local and state contracts.

This program provides funding to organizations in Massachusetts to improve transportation services for older adults, individuals with disabilities, and low-income populations, ensuring they have better access to essential services.

This funding opportunity provides reimbursement-based financial support to collaborative groups of businesses in Cambridge, aimed at enhancing the vibrancy and economic vitality of local commercial districts through community-focused projects.

This program provides funding for Massachusetts digital health companies to test and validate their new products or services in collaboration with designated sandbox organizations.

This grant provides financial assistance to Massachusetts municipalities, small businesses, and nonprofits to access essential cybersecurity services that help protect against cyber threats.

This program provides funding to individuals and organizations in Massachusetts to support community-based cultural projects that enhance access to the arts, humanities, and interpretive sciences.

This program provides funding to local businesses in Greenfield's downtown area to improve their storefronts and enhance the visual appeal of the community.

This program provides funding to Tribal Governments and organizations in Massachusetts for a variety of cultural projects and initiatives that benefit their communities.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to small community organizations and Tribal entities in New England to tackle environmental and public health issues in disadvantaged communities.

Supports the construction, purchase, expansion, or upgrade of workforce or training-related infrastructure to better meet the needs of the offshore wind industry.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for municipalities, small businesses, and nonprofits in Massachusetts to improve their cybersecurity through specialized services and technology upgrades identified in vulnerability assessments.

This program provides financial support to Worcester-based minority, women, veteran, LGBTQ+, and disability-owned businesses that achieve certification with the Massachusetts Supplier Diversity Office, prioritizing those from disproportionately impacted communities.

InnovateMass is a grant initiative administered by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) that seeks to bridge the funding gap known as the “commercialization valley of death”—the critical stage between early angel investment and later-stage venture capital. The program is designed to accelerate the commercialization of clean energy technologies by supporting projects with strong potential for market deployment and climate impact. It offers both financial support and technical assistance to climatetech startups operating within Massachusetts. The program awards up to $350,000 per project to applicant teams that include a Lead Applicant and one or more Demonstration Project Partners. The focus is on technologies or combinations of technologies that address key energy challenges in the state while advancing Massachusetts' clean energy leadership. Applicants must propose solutions that align with one of four core focus areas defined in the full Request for Proposals (RFP). An optional "Gridtech Spotlight" opportunity is available for projects that partner with a Massachusetts electric utility for grid technology demonstrations. This specific track has additional requirements, including submission of a concept paper. InnovateMass is structured around a trimester-based application schedule. For the current cycle, the final application deadline is March 9, 2026. However, applicants pursuing the Gridtech Spotlight opportunity must submit their concept papers to utility project partners by January 12, 2026. Notifications for finalists will occur in mid-April 2026, followed by pitch coaching through late May. Final pitches are expected during the week of May 25, 2026, with awards announced in early July. Funded projects are scheduled to begin by September 2026. Eligible applicants include climatetech startup companies that form Applicant Teams with relevant project partners. Applicants may submit up to two different projects per cycle, and prior awardees may reapply with distinctly new technologies. A Public Benefit Site designation—applying to public facilities, affordable housing, or underserved geographic areas—may reduce the required cost share to 25%. Projects must be located in Massachusetts, and companies must meet a combination of operational presence requirements to qualify as Massachusetts-based. The two-part application process involves submitting a written application followed by an invitation-only pitch presentation to a panel of judges. Gridtech Spotlight participants follow a three-step process, beginning with a concept paper. All full applications must be submitted via a new application portal launching in January 2026. A sample application is provided in the RFP for reference but should not be submitted. Visual elements are permitted within application materials, and evaluation criteria include climate impact potential, project feasibility, and commercialization readiness. For questions, applicants may contact MassCEC at innovate@masscec.com or consult the Business Front Door resource for guidance on additional state support services. Full details, including technical assistance roles, project partner requirements, and Total Addressable Carbon analysis expectations, are available in the InnovateMass RFP.

This grant provides funding to dairy processors, associations, packaging manufacturers, and educational institutions in the Northeast to support innovative projects that improve processing and packaging in the dairy industry.

The Agricultural Food Safety Improvement Program (AFSIP) is a reimbursement grant program aimed at supporting produce and aquaculture operations to enhance their food safety practices. The program's primary goal is to minimize microbial contamination and food-borne illnesses risks, thereby expanding market access for the operations. To be eligible, applicants must be produce or aquaculture operations as defined, own or lease the property for the project, be legally recognized within the Commonwealth, and have been managed as a commercial enterprise for at least three years prior to application. Applications are due by May 24, 2024, at 4:00 PM. The grant encompasses a comprehensive review process, including a Request for Response (RFR) outlining grant criteria, timelines, and expectations. Award decisions will be based on these criteria, and successful applicants will enter into a grant agreement with the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR), with reimbursements made upon project completion and submission of required documentation.

Dedicated to advancing the training and certification needs of maritime workers to ensure the Massachusetts labor pool is prepared for operations at offshore wind terminals.

This funding initiative provides financial support to Massachusetts farmers for capital improvements that enhance operational efficiency and environmental performance on their farms.

This grant provides funding for marketing initiatives that promote events in Provincetown, particularly those that attract visitors during off-peak seasons and enhance community collaboration and diversity.