February 24, 2025 - It is not a secret that recent years have been challenging for the manufacturing sector. The COVID-19 pandemic brought significant disruptions to the industry, which has still not fully recovered. These and other global challenges — including geopolitical tensions, climate change impacts, and economic inequality — have all contributed to ongoing supply chain issues and shortages.

For manufacturers based in Massachusetts, two innovative funding programs could provide some relief: the Massachusetts Manufacturing Accelerate Program (MMAP) and the Manufacturing Cybersecurity Program (MCP).

These initiatives offer substantial support to help manufacturers transform their operations and compete in a dynamic global market. This article shares important details about these two programs, including who is eligible, what funding resources are available, and how to apply.

Massachusetts Manufacturing Accelerate Program (MMAP)

Who it is for: Massachusetts-based manufacturing businesses focusing on robotics and automation, additive manufacturing, cybersecurity, or sustainable manufacturing processes.

Funding available: Up to $200,000.

Requirements: Partner with a non-profit, institution of higher education (community college or above), or a quasi-public entity, legally organized in Massachusetts.

Application details: Applicants must complete a detailed online application form and film a short video explaining how they will benefit from the funds.

Deadline: March 7, 2025 How to apply: Use the application portal on the Massachusetts Center For Advanced Manufacturing website.

About MMAP

MMAP is a program that could provide up to $200,000 of capital share for projects within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that are looking to innovate and grow.

Recent grant recipients have leveraged funding for improvements, including:

• A window manufacturer purchased multiple pieces of equipment to automate formerly manual tasks and shrink lead time estimates, leading to an enhanced ability to land contracts.
• A manufacturer purchased an advanced precision water jet machine with AI capability, allowing the company to bring an outsourced process in-house.
• Another manufacturer purchased a CNC lathe, a CNC vertical milling station, and other equipment, allowing them to eliminate multiple stations and hand-operated processes and allow technicians to execute fewer operations clusters.
• A food manufacturer purchased freeze driers and other pieces of equipment, allowing them to increase output and efficiency.

MMAP Fine Print

To qualify, the identified project must meet certain criteria. These include:

• Be physically located in Massachusetts.
• Focus on robotics and automation, additive manufacturing, cybersecurity, or sustainable manufacturing processes.
• Preference given to industries such as microelectronics, defense and aerospace, and electrification technologies. However, all manufacturers are encouraged to apply.
• Partner with a non-profit, institution of higher education of higher education (community college or above), or a quasi-public entity, legally organized in Massachusetts to receive funding.
  • Non-profit partners include organizations such as MassMEP, MassHire Workforce Boards, Greater Boston Manufacturing Partnership, or the Berkshire Innovation Center. These partners will provide technical support, workforce development support, business connections, or other means of assistance to help manufacturers drive efficiencies and scale their business.
• Minimum of 1:1 cost share is required.
  • Match can be in cash or in-kind contributions (contributed or donated labor, donated equipment, materials) from the applicant, third parties, other private investments, or federal grants. Contributions of in-kind or donated labor cannot exceed 25% of the required match.

Evaluation Criteria for MMAP

Applications will be judged based on criteria that show the ability of the funding to contribute toward new job creation, operational improvements, capabilities that will reach new customers or markets, collaboration opportunities with the partner organization, career growth opportunities, and/or geographic, social, racial, and economic equity. For full judging criteria, please visit the grant’s webpage.

Manufacturing Cybersecurity Program

Who it is for: Small and medium-sized manufacturers based in Massachusetts looking to meet cybersecurity frameworks like the Department of Defense’s Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (“CMMC”), ISO 27001, AICPA SOC 2, or similar.

Funding available: Up to $30,000

Requirements: Manufacturers must complete a third-party cybersecurity assessment before, but not more than twelve months before applying. Applicants must also partner with an institution of higher education, non-profit, or other public or quasi-public entity legally organized in Massachusetts to receive a grant.

Application details: Applicants must complete a detailed online application form explaining how they will use the funds and which security standard they intend to meet.

Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis through 5 PM ET on June 27, 2025. How to apply: Use the application portal on the Massachusetts Center For Advanced Manufacturing Website.

About the Manufacturing Cybersecurity Program

The MCP will provide up to $30,000 for cybersecurity infrastructure improvement projects located in Massachusetts. The program is aimed at small and medium-sized manufacturers. Grants are available for up to $30,000 in capital purchases, such as badge readers, cameras, servers, network switches, or security appliances such as firewalls. The grant can also be applied to office hardware, such as new monitors.

Manufacturing Cybersecurity Program Fine Print

• Manufacturers must complete a third-party cybersecurity assessment before, but not more than twelve months before applying.
• Applicants must be Massachusetts-based manufacturers seeking to meet cybersecurity standards such as the Department of Defense’s Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (“CMMC”), ISO 27001, AICPA SOC 2, or other mappable, equivalent cybersecurity frameworks.
• Manufacturers must partner with an institution of higher education, non-profit, or other public or quasi-public entity legally organized in Massachusetts to receive a grant.
  • This partnership is to help new connections within the ecosystem that can lead to growth.
• A minimum of 1:1 cost share is required.
  • The match can be in cash or in-kind contributions from the applicant, third parties, other private investments, or federal grants.
  • Fees previously incurred from the third-party cybersecurity assessment or fees required from the non-profit partner may count toward the 1:1 cost share. The match cannot come from other state funds.

Evaluation Criteria for the Manufacturing Cybersecurity Program

Applications will be judged based on criteria such as showing that the project will enable the recipient to progress toward meeting a cybersecurity standard, that this new cybersecurity infrastructure will enable the grantee to enter new markets, that collaboration with a partner will lead to new business opportunities, and/or that the funding will contribute toward geographic, social, racial, and economic equity. For full judging criteria, please consult the relevant notice of funding.

How Citrin Cooperman Can Help

These are just two timely examples of funding opportunities currently available within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Our Manufacturing and Distribution Industry Practice is here to help your business discover funding opportunities worth exploring. Other opportunities include the Workplace Safety Grant Program, Workforce Training Fund Programs, and special tax credits for job creation, retention, and private investment commitments through the Massachusetts Office of Business Development.

While the past number of years have been undoubtedly challenging for manufacturers, funding opportunities like we described can go a long way toward easing the strain for businesses, clearing the pathway for long-term, sustainable growth.

To discuss how you can take advantage of these and other funding opportunities in the manufacturing sector, please reach out to your Citrin Cooperman representative.