Manufacturing Readiness Grants

Manufacturing Readiness Grants assist manufacturers planning to make innovative capital investments in smart manufacturing within their Indiana operations—leveraging technologies from advanced communications to cobots to the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and beyond.

Conexus works with the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) and Next Level Manufacturing Institute to help manage the Manufacturing Readiness Grant program.

The program was originally launched as part of the IEDC’s Economic Activity Stabilization and Enhancement (EASE) program and was extended through a new appropriation from the Indiana General Assembly. By encouraging private sector investments, these grants have already made a substantial impact—and have helped set the stage for future innovation and growth in AML throughout the state.

Applicants must be a manufacturer planning to make capital investment in the form of smart manufacturing technologies within their Indiana operation. While there is no size limitation for applicants, small- and medium-sized manufacturers (<500 employees) are heavily favored. The degree to which an applicant is a manufacturer (manufacturing intensity) and relationship to Indiana are also significant considerations.

Projects should directly affect manufacturing processes and focus on investments in commercial-ready equipment through established vendors. The equipment should be beyond ‘advanced’ in nature, i.e. more technologically intensive and broadly innovative than mere upgrades via standard automation, increased capacity, tighter tolerances, improved fabrication techniques, or other incremental improvements that are common for the applicant’s sector. Strong applications offer a detailed description for how the applicant is undertaking an initiative that will be transformative beyond the status quo for themselves and competitors. The equipment should credibly leverage technologies such as industrial internet of things (IIoT), sensor technology, COBOTS, additive manufacturing (3D printing), big data and analytics, cybersecurity, machine learning, artificial intelligence (AI), digital twin, advanced modeling, blockchain, autonomous robotics or vehicles, augmented, virtual, or mixed reality, cloud computing, and advanced communications (5G, etc).

There is no application deadline. Applications are processed in monthly cycles for as long as the program is funded by the State of Indiana. You should apply when you are ready and able to submit a strong, detailed, and compelling application. If you can complete a strong application prior to the end of the calendar month then do it. However, applications are rigorously reviewed, so it is much better to take the time necessary for a quality submission rather than rush a poor submission.