SOUTHFIELD – Michigan is expanding its push to become a national hub for next-generation mobility and advanced manufacturing with the launch of the 2026 Make It in Michigan Mobility Prototyping Grant Program.

Led by the Michigan Office of Future Mobility and Electrification (OFME) and the Michigan Office of Defense and Aerospace Innovation (ODAI) in partnership with Centrepolis Accelerator at Lawrence Technological University, the program will provide up to $100,000 per company to help startups and established firms move promising technologies from concept to commercialization.

Joining Matt Roush and Mike Brennan on MITechTV is John Hagaman, Program Manager, Centrepolis Accelerator.  

Hagaman said a workshop will be held at Lawrence Technological University in Southfield on June 1 for applicants to find out more about the program. Contact him through LinkedIn. 

Applications for the 2026 grant cycle opened May 13 and will remain open through July 12. The state has committed a total funding pool of $2 million for this year’s program. The grants are designed to support hardware-based innovations in mobility, electrification, autonomous systems, advanced manufacturing, and drone technology.

But beyond the funding itself, state officials say the larger goal is to solve one of the biggest problems facing emerging mobility companies: the gap between innovation and scalable manufacturing.

Bridging The “Prototype Gap”

Michigan has long been a global center for automotive engineering and manufacturing, but economic development leaders say many startups still struggle to move from early-stage prototypes into production-ready products.

That challenge is especially acute in sectors like electric vehicles, autonomous systems, aerospace, defense mobility, robotics, and advanced battery technology, where hardware development is expensive and manufacturing infrastructure can be difficult to access.

The state’s solution is to use grant funding to connect companies directly with Michigan-based manufacturers, testing labs, engineering firms, and prototype developers.

Instead of simply handing companies cash, the program is structured to strengthen Michigan’s industrial ecosystem by ensuring the work is performed through local suppliers and technical partners.

Officials say the approach creates a dual economic benefit:

  • Startups gain access to engineering and manufacturing resources they might otherwise be unable to afford.
  • Michigan manufacturers gain new customers and exposure to fast-growing emerging technology sectors.

The program also aligns with the broader “Make It in Michigan” economic strategy championed by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, which aims to retain high-tech manufacturing jobs inside the state while attracting new mobility and aerospace investment.

Building A Domestic Supply Chain

The grant program comes at a time when both state and federal policymakers are increasingly concerned about supply chain vulnerabilities exposed during the pandemic and ongoing geopolitical tensions with China.

Michigan officials have emphasized the need to rebuild domestic manufacturing capacity for critical technologies, particularly in batteries, semiconductors, autonomous systems, and defense-related mobility applications.

By requiring grant recipients to utilize Michigan-based firms for product design, prototyping, testing, and manufacturing readiness, the state hopes to strengthen regional supply chains and create long-term industrial relationships that continue after the grant funding expires.

The initiative also reflects Michigan’s effort to diversify beyond traditional automotive manufacturing as transportation technology rapidly evolves.

Programs tied to drones, marine mobility, aerospace systems, and autonomous robotics are increasingly being viewed as future growth sectors capable of generating new high-paying engineering and skilled-trades jobs.

Focus On Commercialization

Eligible applicants include startups and established companies developing hardware prototypes at Technology Readiness Levels 4 through 9, meaning projects must already demonstrate a functioning proof of concept or working prototype.

Grant funding can be used for:

  • Product design

  • Engineering support

  • Prototype development

  • Testing and validation

  • Manufacturing readiness

  • Pilot production activities

Projects selected during the 2026 cycle are expected to begin in October.

Industry experts say commercialization support is often where promising technologies fail. While venture capital may fund software startups relatively quickly, hardware companies frequently face longer development cycles, higher capital requirements, and expensive testing and certification hurdles.

State officials hope the program can help bridge what is often called the “prototype valley of death” — the stage where many companies run out of resources before reaching market scale.

Application Timeline

Key dates for the 2026 grant cycle include:

  • Applications Opened: May 13, 2026

  • Application Deadline: July 12, 2026

  • Finalist Interviews: Aug. 1–31, 2026

  • Project Launches Expected: October 2026

Applications are being administered through Centrepolis Accelerator at Lawrence Technological University.

Officials said the grants are intended to support technologies for air, ground, and marine mobility applications while reinforcing Michigan’s long-term position as a global center for advanced transportation innovation.

Learn more at https://www.centrepolisaccelerator.com/