Build Our Future Grant Program

The Build Our Future Grant Program provides matching grants of up to $2 million for infrastructure projects that support innovation in Maryland’s strategic technology sectors — from wet labs and cyber ranges to prototype manufacturing centers and SCIFs. The program is designed to fill capital gaps that unlock private investment and accelerate the growth of high-value industry clusters across the state.

MEDCO administers the Build Our Future Grant Program effective July 1, 2026, pursuant to the DECADE Act of 2026. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis through MEDCO’s online portal.

Eligible Technology Sectors

Grants support infrastructure projects intended to advance innovation in the following sectors:

• Advanced manufacturing
• Aerospace
• Agriculture
• Artificial intelligence
• Biotechnology
• Blue technology
• Cybersecurity
• Defense
• Energy and sustainability
• Life sciences
• Quantum
• Sensors and robotics

Eligible Projects

Grant awards may be used to defray the costs a grantee incurs to acquire, construct, rehabilitate, install, improve, or equip an eligible innovation infrastructure project. Eligible costs are hard costs — real property, buildings, infrastructure, machinery and equipment, leasehold improvements, and furniture and fixtures, including installation.

Grant funds may not be used for soft costs such as operating expenses, management fees, consulting fees, administrative fees, curriculum development, or salaries.

Examples of eligible projects include:

• Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities (SCIFs)
• Wet laboratories
• Cyber ranges
• Prototype manufacturing centers
• Specialized workforce training, skill certification, or research-related spaces

Eligible Applicants

Grants may be awarded to private companies, nonprofit entities, local governments, and colleges and universities in Maryland. No more than 50% of program funds in a given fiscal year may be awarded to colleges and universities. Grants to colleges and universities must support projects that are either performed in collaboration with private industry or offer the prospect of significant economic impact and the opportunity to develop entrepreneurship or clusters of technological innovation in the State.

Grant Terms and Matching Requirements

• Maximum award of $2,000,000 per entity per fiscal year
• For awards up to $1,000,000: grantee must provide matching funds equal to at least 200% of the grant amount
• For awards exceeding $1,000,000 and up to $2,000,000: grantee must provide matching funds equal to at least 400% of the grant amount
• Funds received through other State grant programs do not count toward the matching requirement
• Federal funds and county or municipal funds not sourced from the State may be included in the match
• In-kind contributions do not qualify as matching funds
• Costs incurred prior to application submission do not count toward the match
• Grantees must demonstrate the ability to cover their full share of project costs

How Grant Funds Are Disbursed

Upon execution of a grant agreement, MEDCO will disburse 50% of the award to the grantee to initiate project activity. Before the remaining 50% is disbursed, the grantee must submit documented expenditures demonstrating that the initial disbursement has been spent on eligible project costs, which MEDCO will review and accept. The balance is then released as reimbursement for additional documented project expenditures.

Grant funds must be expended and the project must be fully operational within two years of the grant agreement execution date.

Grant Conditions and Reporting

• Grantees that do not comply with the intended purpose of the grant are subject to repayment in full
• Grantees are subject to random audit for compliance
• For projects involving the purchase or construction of a facility, grantees must maintain ownership of the property for at least seven years from the date of the grant agreement, unless otherwise approved by MEDCO
• Grantees will submit progress reports to MEDCO on January 1 and July 1 of each year through the Submittable portal, including metrics of success and economic impact specified in the grant agreement
• MEDCO encourages grantees to collect and report demographic characteristics of primary contractors and vendors associated with construction

Priority Consideration

Per Maryland Law, applicants located in a designated RISE Zone receive priority consideration for Build Our Future grant awards.

How to Apply

To submit applications and supporting documents, please go to: https://medco-corp.wizehive.app/organization/opportunities.

For questions, please contact Nick Henninger-Ayoub, Director of Program Development, at [email protected].

The Build Our Future Grant Program is authorized through June 30, 2030.