The Maryland Department of Commerce’s Manufacturing 4.0 Grant applications open on August 1st, 2025! If you are a small to mid-sized manufacturing company that was planning on integrating advanced technologies into your workflow, then this grant was made for you! The Maryland 4.0 Manufacturing Grant program is designed to empower Maryland's local manufacturing businesses by financially supporting their adoption of cutting-edge industrial tech and robotics. It's all about bringing the future of manufacturing into today's factories, making them more innovative and more efficient! 
Your award amount is dependent on the size of your company- grants will cover 75% of project costs for small manufacturers and 50% of project costs for mid-sized manufacturers, with grants ranging from $25,000 up to $500,000. From robotics to new software that connects and streamlines your operations, this grant is here to help your business afford these big steps forward!
This program is tailored towards projects that demonstrate a clear tie to Industry 4.0 technologies- so think sensors and automation that will improve your manufacturing process, track preventative maintenance, productivity levels, machine uptime/downtime and more! If you're a metal fabricator who is not sure where to start, let us help! Below are some ideas for how you can use these funds to optimize your operations.
To be eligible for the Maryland 4.0 Manufacturing Grant, your business needs to be already operating and established for a minimum of 2 years, and currently be in good standing with the State of Maryland. Your business must also employ between 3 and 250 full-time workers and fall under the NAICS two-digit codes of 31, 32, or 33; indicating a manufacturing focus. In addition, compliance with both federal and Maryland-specific Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations is also required.
But most importantly, applicants need to show that they have not only the capability to implement the proposed project successfully, but also a strong commitment or strategic approach to adopting Industry 4.0 tech! Having a compelling application in this competitive grant is definitely important, companies should consult vendors for quotes and specs to make the application package more robust. Since the state is unlikely to give multiple awards to a single company, applicants should put their best foot forward and submit their strongest application. These applications need to tell a story- think of how new technology can lead to increased sales, new hires and a new product line and elaborate on that. And lastly, the ability to provide matching funds is crucial to show that your business has the financial readiness for the proposed upgrades! 
Don't wait to get started!
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