MassCEC / Tech to Market / Funding / Climatetech Testing and Demonstration Assets
The Climatetech Testing and Demonstration Assets (TDA) Program provides capital grants between $1.5M and $5M to Entrepreneur Support Organizations (ESOs) in Massachusetts to develop shared infrastructure, equipment, and other capital assets that advance climatetech R&D, innovation, manufacturing, commercialization, and deployment in the state.
The program focuses on bridging gaps in the state’s climatetech ecosystem—from testing and demonstration capacity to market access—to improve the rate of commercialization, ensure long-term economic growth, and strengthen Massachusetts’ position as a leader in climatetech innovation. TDA is MassCEC’s first program launched under the Mass Leads Act (2024) and supports the goals outlined in the Massachusetts Climatetech Economic Development Strategy and Implementation Plan (2025).
Eligible Projects
TDA funding supports infrastructure, equipment, and other capital assets with a minimum useful life of 10 years. Grantees are required to complete capital projects within 1 – 3 years and must provide a minimum 25% cost share of the grant amount requested. Costs for all budget items must be incurred after the execution of a grant agreement with MassCEC. Example projects include, but are not limited to:
- Constructing pilot or demonstration infrastructure for real-world testing
- Installing specialized equipment or fabrication facilities
- Upgrading shared lab or maker space
- Building shared digital infrastructure
Note: Capital labor and fringe, as well as operating expenses (e.g., rent, staff salaries, programming costs) are not eligible for the program. MassCEC will fund operating expenses through its Innovation Ecosystem Program (IEP), with a RFP expected in November.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must be nonprofit entities, public agencies, and/or public or nonprofit colleges and universities legally organized in Massachusetts. They must have at least 5 years of operating history and offer services that support climatetech development and commercialization, as defined in Section IV of the Request for Proposal (RFP). Eligible ESOs may include, but are not limited to:
- Incubators
- Innovation Centers
- Educational Institutions
- Entrepreneur Networks and Associations
- Economic Development Organizations
Between $1.5M and $5M in Reimbursement
- Concept Paper Deadline: Friday September 12, 2025 by 5:00 PM
- Full Application Deadline: Friday November 14, 2025 by 5:00
Schedule
The TDA grant application has two competitive phases: a Concept Paper and, for selected finalists, a Full Application. The application process will proceed according to the following schedule, though target dates may change at MassCEC’s discretion. Applicants are encouraged to check frequently for updates.
| Process Step | Date |
|---|---|
| RFP Release | Tuesday July 22, 2025 |
| Informational Webinar | Tuesday August 5, 2025 at 12 PM |
| Questions Due | Tuesday August 12, 2025, by 5:00 PM |
| Q&As posted to Website | Tuesday August 19, 2025 |
| Concept Papers Due | Friday September 12, 2025, by 5:00 PM |
| Invitation to Submit Full Application | Tuesday October 14, 2025 |
| Full Application Due | Friday November 14, 2025, by 5:00 PM |
| Notification of Awards, Est. | Spring 2026 |
| Contracting Concludes/Projects Begin, Est. | Summer 2026 |
Submit Questions
Questions regarding the RFP and the application materials must be submitted by email to innovationecosystem@masscec.com, with the following Subject Line: “Questions – RFP TDA FY26.” All questions must be received by 5:00 PM ET on Tuesday August 12, 2025.
Responses to all questions received will be posted on this webpage as a downloadable file on or before Tuesday August 19, 2025.
Apply
How to Apply
Be sure to read the RFP carefully and follow all requirements. Failure to comply with the requirements may serve as grounds for rejection of an application.
- Review the RFP. Detailed eligibility and submission instructions are provided in Sections IV and VII of the RFP, respectively.
- Complete the Concept Paper Template. Fill out the pre-formatted template (Attachment 2).
- Gather Required Attachments. Combine the completed Concept Paper with the following required attachments as one PDF:
- Authorized Applicant’s Signature and Acceptance Form (Attachment 1)
- W-9 Form (official IRS form)
- Budget Worksheet (Attachment 3)
- ESO’s Previous Fiscal or Calendar Year Financial Statements
- Resumes/CVs from key personnel at the ESO
- Letters of Commitment or Support
- Submit. Email your completed application to innovationecosystem@masscec.com by Friday September 12, 2025 at 5:00 PM ET. Please include the RFP number “RFP FY2026 TDA” in the email’s subject line.
After submission, applicants will receive an email confirmation within three (3) business days. Following review of Concept Papers, MassCEC will invite selected finalists to submit a Full Application by Tuesday October 14, 2025.
Application Materials
Informational Webinar
An informational webinar will be held on Tuesday August 5, 2025 at 12 PM. Please join to learn more about the program. MassCEC will post a recording of the webinar if you are unable to attend.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is an Entrepreneur Support Organization (ESO)?
Eligible ESOs provide ongoing services or resources that directly support Massachusetts-based climatetech startups and innovators, such as mentoring, training, access to labs or equipment, networking, and/or funding.
2. What qualifies as a climatetech startup or innovator?
Eligible climatetech startups and innovators develop or apply technologies that contribute to the decarbonization of the economy, reduce and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions or mitigate the impact of climate change through adaptation, resilience, and environmental sustainability. For a complete definition, see Section IV of the RFP.
While TDA will consider any project that meets MassCEC’s definition of “climatetech”, emphases will be given to ESOs whose projects that support the development of one or more of the following priority industries:
- Energy & Electricity: increasing renewable energy generation and modernizing the grid.
- Transportation: transitioning to zero-emissions vehicles, enhancing public transit, and promoting alternative fuel options.
- Manufacturing & Industry: adopting carbon reducing technologies and processes, sustainable production practices through a circular economy, and carbon capture related technologies.
- Agriculture & Water: adopting sustainable farming and forest management practices and leveraging nature-based solutions.
- Buildings: improving energy and heating efficiency, transitioning to renewable sources, and implementing sustainable construction practices/materials.
- Resilience and Adaptation: implementing climate-smart planning, strengthening infrastructure, and promoting nature-based solutions to reduce vulnerability to climate change.
MassCEC / Tech to Market / Funding / Climatetech Testing and Demonstration Assets