The Washington State Department of Commerce (WSMA) is soliciting proposals from qualified applicants seeking grant funding to accelerate innovation and increase the number of manufacturing and research and development jobs in Washington State.
Donor Name: Washington State Department of Commerce (WSMA)
State: Washington
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 05/14/2026
Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000
Grant Duration: 1 Year
Details:
These project investments help generate significant direct manufacturing and R&D jobs, spur technological advances and/or support workforce development, as well as strategically align with the state’s key industries.
The grant program is designed to support the growth of manufacturing jobs, R&D employment, and regional cluster acceleration strategies by fostering an environment that promotes innovation and business growth. The grants support the Building Economic Strength Through Manufacturing (BEST) Act passed by the state legislature in 2021 which establishes a framework to grow and strengthen manufacturing employment over the next decade.
Objectives
By administering this grant funding, COMMERCE seeks to advance the number of manufacturing and research and development jobs in the state by supporting significant business expansions or proposed cutting-edge development work.
Planned project outcomes include the growth in manufacturing, research and development employment, and advancement of regional acceleration strategies within three years of project completion. Project outcomes could also include the creation of family wage job creation, workforce training and skill development, capital investment, including additional investment in facilities and equipment, creation or expansion of research and development initiatives, pilot or demonstration manufacturing projects, and strategic analyses to support business operations.
Funding will be provided for the following types of projects:
- Research and development projects, including design and testing of new technologies that align with the state’s goal of building a resilient, innovative, and equitable manufacturing and research and development base of employment;
- Pilot or demonstration manufacturing projects coordinated with organized industry innovation cluster initiatives;
- Strategic assistance related to analysis of existing and potential customer bases and market demands, including analysis of capabilities of business’s employees to expand their skillsets;
- Strategic assistance related to supply chain management and resilience;
- Projects intended to increase manufacturing jobs or research and development jobs regionally within the next three years;
- Workforce development initiatives
Funding Information
Applicants are eligible for awards of $100,000 to $200,000.
Grant Period
July 31, 2026 – June 30, 2027
Eligible Projects
- Projects will be evaluated to assess the likelihood that requested funding will support the growth of manufacturing jobs, R&D employment, and advancement of regional industry cluster acceleration strategies. Applicants will also be evaluated on their strategic alignment with Washington’s key economic sectors, connections to existing or emerging industry innovation clusters, and alignment with regional priorities, all of which will play a significant role in the evaluation process.
- As a reminder, the state’s key economic sectors include aerospace, agriculture, advanced manufacturing, clean technology and renewable energy, forest products, information and communications technology, life science, maritime, and defense.
Eligibility Criteria
- Business applicants
- The business must be physically located in Washington state.
- All businesses must be licensed to operate in Washington. Preference will be given to businesses that have been in operation and generating revenue for past three years and employ at least three full-time employees. This grant program is not intended to support the launch of new businesses.
- Business applicants who received funding under previous Evergreen rounds are not eligible to apply.
- Businesses identifying as tribal or tribally owned must certify ownership (at 51% or more) and provide supporting documentation as a part of their applications.
- Acceptable documentation includes a resolution or letter from a federally recognized Tribe appointed authority confirming the business is tribally owned, or a tribal business license. Applicants must attest that all information provided is accurate and current.
- Industry Cluster organization applicants
- Cluster or community college requirement: Preference may be given to applicants with prior experience managing grants.
- Definition of cluster: Organizations that apply as an industry “cluster” must meet Commerce’s approved cluster definition.
- Fiscal sponsor requirement: Clusters must have a fiscal sponsor with governing or legal structure through which Commerce can contract. If the cluster is not a registered entity, the fiscal sponsor must serve as the project applicant on behalf of the cluster.
- Partnerships and impact: Cluster projects that involve multiple partners or demonstrate benefits to multiple private businesses will be prioritized during the evaluation process.
- In addition to the primary considerations, the Department of Commerce will evaluate the applicant on the following:
- Project viability: Strength and feasibility of business or industry cluster undertaking the proposed project;
- Regulatory Compliance: Good standing with the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries and other agencies;
- Community and Industry Support: Evidence of backing from local and industry stakeholders
- Matching Funds: Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate the availability of matching funds or capital investments to support the implementation of proposed development work or expansions funded by this grant.
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Clear DEI commitments and strategies
- Cluster Impact: Cluster proposals must demonstrate broad impact and active involvement of current cluster members; applications involving multiple cluster members are strongly encouraged.
- Tribal Participation: Tribal businesses and cluster organizations representing manufacturing business or manufacturing clusters are strongly encouraged to apply.
For more information, visit WSMA.
