Manufacturing PA Innovation Program
Forecasted
Manufacturing PA Innovation Program supports university teams and Pennsylvania manufacturers in collaborative research to advance product and process innovation and promote well-paying manufacturing jobs.
Funder: Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development
Due Dates (Anticipated): July 2027 (Application deadline)
Funding Amounts: $10,000–$70,000 per project, with a 1:1 match
Summary: Supports university–manufacturer research collaborations that advance manufacturing innovation and well-paying jobs in Pennsylvania.
Key Information: Carnegie Mellon University is the sole direct applicant; accredited Pennsylvania colleges and universities propose projects through CMU.
Description
The Manufacturing PA Innovation Program, administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), connects Pennsylvania manufacturers with university research teams to address real-world technical challenges. It draws on the Commonwealth’s higher education science and engineering capabilities to advance new products and processes, strengthen manufacturing competitiveness, and support good, well-paying jobs.
Through the Manufacturing Fellows Initiative, undergraduate and graduate students work with faculty mentors and Pennsylvania industry partners on research projects over the academic year. Manufacturers gain access to research-driven solutions and opportunities to recruit talent. The program also seeks to accelerate high-wage manufacturing employment, help existing Pennsylvania companies innovate, and attract new industrial investment. DCED may issue special calls for faculty-led research addressing identified technological needs.
