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Make It in Michigan Competitiveness Fund

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Office of the Governor

Make It in Michigan Competitiveness Fund

Funding Opportunity

With the passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), and CHIPS and Science Act, Michigan has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to bring transformative infrastructure, climate, and economic development to Michigan.

That’s why Governor Whitmer worked with the Legislature to secure $337M for the Make it in Michigan Competitiveness Fund, a pool of state money intended to provide enabling funds such as match grants to unlock federally backed investments.

The Make it in Michigan Competitiveness Fund will help Michigan deliver on its promise that federal funding investments will boost our economy, create good-paying jobs, bring new life to our communities, and improve our infrastructure all while increasing the quality of life for Michiganders.

General Competition

Opportunity: Up to $200 million to enable federal investments in any of the following sectors:

  • Infrastructure
  • Mobility and electrification
  • Climate and the environment
  • Economic development
  • Health
  • Public safety 

Program goals: Projects for the challenge will be selected based on their ability to bring federal dollars home to Michigan, as well as:

  • Impact on creating good jobs, as defined by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Good Jobs Initiative
  • Impact in advancing the Justice40 goal of ensuring that 40 percent of the overall benefits of federal climate-related investments frow to disadvantaged communities
  • Impact on advancing economic competitiveness in a key strategic sector
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APPLY 
PROJECTS

Make It in Michigan Competitiveness Fund Awards
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Environmental and Climate Justice Challenge

Closing August 1, 2024. 

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Vision OPEN Challenge
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Battery and Advanced Manufacturing 

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Eligibility

Make it in Michigan Competitiveness Fund matching grants are available to projects pursuing competitive federal funding where a non-federal match is required or increases the competitiveness of the application. Projects can receive up to 50% of a required match. The grant match may exceed 50% if the project qualifies for President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their Competitiveness Fund application at least 21 days in advance of the deadline for the relevant federal opportunity. Matching grants will be provided only to approved projects that successfully receive a federal funding award.   

If you have a project that has won funding or you’re in the process of applying for
funding, the Michigan Infrastructure Office’s Technical Assistance Center is
available to help.

If you have any questions about this program, please email dtmb-miimcf@michigan.gov. If you would like support with a federal grant application, please visit the Technical Assistance Center.

Resources

  • Q: What projects are eligible for matching grants from the Make it in Michigan Competitiveness Fund?

    • Make it in Michigan Competitiveness Fund matching grants are available to projects pursuing competitive federal funding where a non-federal match is required or increases the competitiveness of the application.
    • Michigan entities applying to the program should be actively in the process of applying for federal competitive programs in the following sectors: infrastructure, mobility/EVs, climate/environment, economic development, health, and public safety.
    • Eligibility is limited to new or supplemental federal funding opportunities that would increase investment in the state. 
    • The Fund will generally not provide matching grants for projects awards from prior federal funding cycles. but may consider applications where additional state support would allow federally funded projects to reach completion. 

     

    Q: How much can I apply for?

    • Competitiveness Fund grants are generally limited to a maximum of 50% of the non-federal match required under the federal program the Michigan entity is applying for.
    • Grants may exceed the 50% cap on non-federal match only in limited circumstances.

     

    Q: When should I apply for funding?

    • Applicants are encouraged to apply at least 21 days in advance of the deadline for the relevant federal opportunity.
    • The Fund may accept some applications after the federal submission deadline on a case-by-case basis.

     

    Q: What are the Challenges? How are these different from general request from the Make it in Michigan Competitiveness Fund?

    • Challenges are dedicated funds within the Competitiveness Fund that have been sub-allocated to promote and encourage Michigan applications for specific federal programs.
    • Applicants to the Challenges are still subject to the same standards and review as all other grants to ensure quality and compliance with program guidelines.

     

    Q: Do the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) or Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs qualify for the Make it in Michigan Competitiveness Fund?

    • No, the Michigan Emerging Technologies Fund (ETF) is an established program designed specifically to provide matching dollars (up to $25K for Phase I and $125K for Phase II) to eligible SBIR/STTR applicants. This program is run through the Michigan Small Business Development Center.
    • Additional information can be found here: SBDC Emerging Technology Fund (mietf.org)

     

    Q: Are federal tax credit applications eligible for the Make it in Michigan Competitiveness Fund?

    • No, most tax credits are not competitive and do not require matching funds, therefore they do not fit the criteria of the Fund.
    • Some limited federal tax credits may qualify. Please reach out to dtmb-miimcf@michigan.gov to discuss further.

     

    Q: Does the Make it in Michigan Competitiveness Fund provide matching funds to support Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS)?

    • Projects that have been fully approved by Congress are welcome to apply to the Competitiveness Fund. These applications must still meet the requirements and goals listed on the MIIMCF website and will be eligible for grants of up to 50% of the required non-federal match.

     

    Q: Does the Make it in Michigan Competitiveness Fund provide matching funds for state or philanthropic grant programs?

    • No, the MIIMCF was designed to maximize the ability of entities in the state to win federal grants and cannot be used for state or non-governmental programs.

     

    Q: Where can I find federal opportunities I might be eligible for?

    • Look for information on available federal grants by visiting grants.gov
    • Your U.S. Representative’s office or either U.S. Senator’s office may be able to provide additional information and guidance on eligible federal grants and other assistance.