The Massachusetts Clean Energy Technology Center (MassCEC) is seeking applications for the Catalyst Program (“Catalyst”) as well as “DICES” Program.
Donor Name: Massachusetts Clean Energy Center
State: Massachusetts
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 03/13/2026
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
The Programs seek to stimulate the commercialization of early-stage clean energy and climate technologies developed in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
While Catalyst or DICES funding may be used to support prototype development of any technology or proposed business model that meets MassCEC’s definition of Climatetech, particular emphasis will be placed on identifying projects in one or more of the following areas:
- 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.
The goal of the Programs is to stimulate the commercialization of Climatetech (as defined above) and related innovation between Technology Readiness Level (“TRL”) 2 (“technology concept and/or application formulated”) and 4 (“Component and/or process validation in laboratory environmentAlpha prototype”) by providing funding for prototype projects to test and measure the feasibility of the technology in specific market applications in order to advance its TRL. Please use this calculator and this document to conduct a TRL self-assessment and confirm Program fit.
Catalyst or DICES project activities may include gathering initial data to demonstrate proof of concept, conducting market research to demonstrate how the technology compares to existing technologies and its competitive advantages, and/or developing a prototype for the technology. Successful applicants will demonstrate a proposed project that:
Addresses a critical energy/climate challenge and reduces or prevents greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions related to fossil fuels or lessen the impacts of climate change through adaptation, resiliency and environmental sustainability, as further described in Section I above.
- Technology speaks to a significant commercial need in the energy market;
- Technology prototyped in the project has strong commercialization potential;
- Advances the technology’s commercial readiness;
- Enables an emerging Climatetech company to demonstrate the value of its technology to potential customers and investors; and
- Is viable and feasible within the timeframe allowed by the Programs.
Funding Information
Typical uses of Program Award funding ($75,000).
Uses of Funds
- Conducting further defined research on an invention that will lead to proof of concept or prototypes, including funding a PhD student, PI summer salary, or employee salary;
- Undertaking testing of a technology or material to obtain initial data on performance;
- Performing initial user testing, validation, and interface or design refinement;
- Funding independent third-party testing under industrial conditions;
- Hiring outside expert consultants to validate technology; and
- Purchase of project-specific equipment and supplies.
Eligibility Criteria
An eligible applicant must be one of the following:
- A Principal Investigator (“PI”) at a Massachusetts-based research institution;
- A Massachusetts-based early-stage Climatetech company that (i) has not received in excess of Two Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($2,500,000) in combined debt or equity financing, grant funding, and revenues over the past five (5) years, and (ii) has four (4) or fewer full-time equivalent employees; or
- A student (or group of students) led by a faculty member or researcher who will act as the PI and will be responsible for managing the grant and reporting requirements. The company may not have more than four (4) full-time equivalent employees.
- It is acceptable for companies to have received funding from other sources, including other government agency grant funding, foundation grants, business plan competitions or other private sources, so long as total equity and debt financing and grant funding does not exceed Two Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($2,500,000) over the past five (5) years.
- The company’s primary manufacturing operations (if applicable), headquarters, primary sales and marketing, and primary research and development operations must be located in Massachusetts.
- DICES Applicants must be early-stage companies. Researchers are not eligible for the DICES program.
- DICES Applicants must fill out section II on the application form to be considered for the DICES program and meet the intention of the DICES Program, as described in Section V.
For more information, visit Massachusetts Clean Energy Center.
