Innovation Ecosystem Development Program (IEDP) Details
Quand les demandes sont-elles dues ?
Online applications must be completed no later than 5:00 PM on Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
Qui devrait postuler ?
Am I Eligible for IEDP Funding?
The Innovation Ecosystem Development Program funds mission-based organizations whose programs help Maine’s innovation-driven companies form, grow, and scale. Applicants must show how their programs deliver measurable impact for innovation-driven companies in Maine’s technology sectors. Organizations not currently based in Maine may apply; however, all grant funds must be directed toward Maine-based work that benefits Maine-based companies.
Your organization may be eligible for an IEDP grant if:
- Your program serves, or builds a credible pipeline toward, innovation-driven companies in one or more of MTI’s seven technology sectors.
- Your organization has not received an IEDP award in the previous two years.
- You can demonstrate a credible path to securing the funds required to match your requested MTI funding at least 1:1.
- Your organization operates in and delivers its programming within Maine.
- Your organization is, or will be, registered with the Maine Secretary of State corporate registry before award funds are disbursed.
- The lead applicant should be a non-profit entity. Other entities, such as for-profit companies, may be considered in limited cases, through a pre-application eligibility determination. Contact [email protected] to confirm your eligibility status before submitting an application.
Combien de financement puis-je demander ?
The maximum award amount will not exceed $500,000. IEDP funding proposals must be matched at least 1:1 with additional cash committed on behalf of the applicant organization. MTI can consider pending matching funds that are not yet fully secured by the applicant; however, the clearer the path to securing those matching funds, the stronger the proposal.
MTI plans to invest up to $1 million in this 2026 round. MTI reserves the right to make reduced awards and there is no set number of awardees for this round. Awards are shaped into a portfolio that strengthens the ecosystem statewide, so a request sized to what your program actually needs is stronger than one sized to the cap.
We encourage collaborative efforts amongst organizations on their proposed projects / programs. We recommend that any particular organization serve as the primary applicant for only one IEDP application; however, in the case of a multi-departmental non-profit research institution, a distinct department / division may be considered as a unique applicant, at MTI’s discretion. MTI will approve no more than 1 award to any particular organization (inclusive of distinct departments) within this current round.
Multi-year projects will be considered, and MTI reserves the right to tranche awards based on project / program milestones and performance vs. plan.
What Can I Use IEDP Funds For?
Funds must be used to carry out the programming described in your application, and your plan should directly support innovation-driven companies in Maine’s technology sectors.
All project funds (MTI and match) should be directed toward work that has not yet been completed; these funds are not reimbursement for prior expenditures. Generally speaking, indirect and overhead costs are not a compelling use of funds for IEDP proposals; IEDP funds and matching funds should be directed towards specific programmatic costs.
Suggested expenses may include, but are not limited to:
- Personnel costs for existing or new staff on the program
- Contracted services
- Materials, software, and program supplies
- Events and travel tied to the program
- Startup costs for new programs
What Makes a Strong Application
Strong applications tend to share these qualities, which map to how the review team scores:
- A clear, direct connection to innovation-driven companies. Whether your program works with these companies directly or strengthens the ecosystem they depend upon, the more direct and better-evidenced the connection, the stronger the application.
- A real gap and a real difference. The strongest applications address a need existing resources do not already meet, and show what MTI’s funding makes possible that would not happen otherwise; whether that is launching something new, meaningfully expanding what you do, or sustaining vital work that is at risk.
- Evidence the approach works. Both new and established organizations are welcome to apply. Established organizations show a track record of results; newer orgs show their team’s relevant experience and proof of concept. Either way, we look for evidence rather than intent.
- A model that fits your goals. Programs that work intensively with a few companies and programs that reach many more lightly are both valid. What matters is that the model fits the results you are claiming.
- A credible plan and measurable results. A realistic workplan, clear deliverables, and specific metrics with baselines so that progress can be measured, along with a sense of what will endure beyond the IEDP project timeline.
How Do I Apply For IEDP Funding?
Étape 1-Remplissez vos documents
Utilisez le Document Word d'application pour fournir toutes les informations demandées. Téléchargez le document Word de l'application, répondez à toutes les questions, puis enregistrez le fichier.
Vous devez également compiler des fichiers électroniques pour tous les documents requis dans notre liste de contrôle ci-dessous.
IEDP Application Checklist
Before you access MTI’s Online Application Portal, you will need the following documents ready for upload.
- Completed Document Word d'application
- Project Budget, on MTI’s Excel template
- Workplan, on MTI’s template
- Financial statements: most recent balance sheet and income statement, or the relevant nonprofit statements
- Signed and dated W-9 form
- Supporting material (optional but recommended): list of board members, impact reports, letters of support, relevant data
Step 2: Submit your application documents online
All applicants need an account in MTI’s online portal, powered by Blackbaud Grantmaking.
Once you have completed your Application Word Document, Workplan, Budget and compiled all the required financial and supplemental documents in the checklist above, you must submit your application documents through MTI’s Blackbaud portal.
Find the link to upload your application materials to MTI’s Blackbaud portal on Page 1 of the IEDP Application Word Document.
The online application form will require that you enter specific data regarding your organization and then upload all required electronic files.
Nous estimons que vous aurez besoin d'au moins 30 minutes pour remplir le formulaire de candidature en ligne, saisir toutes les données requises, télécharger tous les fichiers électroniques requis, signer les divulgations électroniques, examiner votre formulaire en ligne et compléter votre soumission de candidature en ligne.
You can save an incomplete online application form and return to complete it later; however, you must return to complete your online application submission before the application deadline date — incomplete applications will not be considered for funding.
MTI recommends completing the online application in one sitting, after you have compiled all required items noted above.
Que faire si j'ai besoin d'aide avec ma candidature ?
For questions regarding this program, please email [email protected]
We attempt to respond to all emails within 24 hours.
Innovation Ecosystem Zoom Sessions
We recognize there may be parts of this application that require some assistance. Members of our staff will be available via scheduled Zoom calls to answer questions from prospective applicants.
Times & Links
Tuesday, 9/8, 12pm: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85129755787
Thursday, 9/17, 11am (via monthly Maine Accelerates Growth meeting): https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88513647732?pwd=RTFSMmh1Qzh5LzF5MVVDMG42VXdFZz09
Tuesday, 10/6, 1pm: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89046266881
Que se passe-t-il après ma candidature ?
Vous devriez recevoir un e-mail de confirmation peu de temps après la soumission de votre candidature.
After the application deadline, each eligible application is scored independently by MTI’s IEDP review team against our IEDP rubric, across four themes: Programmatic Fit; Need and Additionality; Capacity and Credibility; and Implementation and Sustainability.
Reviewers then deliberate to determine which applications advance for final consideration. Finalists will be invited to interview with the review team, and MTI’s Board of Directors will determine the final funding decisions.
All applicants will be notified via email regarding award determinations. MTI plans to notify all applicants of funding decisions by December 31, 2026.
If your organization is selected for IEDP funding, MTI staff will work with you on an award agreement specifying measurable deliverables, a finalized budget, and a payment schedule. We anticipate that initial award payments could be made within Q1 2027.
