Powering Statewide Microelectronics Innovation with $10M in Capital Funding
The Northeast Microelectronics Coalition’s new Supporting Chip Advancement from Lab to Enterprise (SCALE) Capital Program invests $10M to strengthen Massachusetts’ microelectronics ecosystem. Designed to bridge the gap from lab to market, this initiative will fund capital expenses for ecosystem connectivity, expand workforce capabilities and advance cutting-edge technologies.
SCALE Capital Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)
Read NOFO No. 2025-NEMC-02 Here
Informational Webinar
Tuesday, May 13 at 11:00 a.m.
Concept Paper
Due Tuesday, June 3 at 5:00 p.m.
The SCALE Capital: Massachusetts Lab-to-Fab Grant Program provides grant funding opportunities to Massachusetts-based projects in support of the NEMC mission to build-out a thriving microelectronics innovation ecosystem, bridging the gap between cutting-edge proof-of-concept devices and production readiness. This program will help reduce the capital needed to advance novel technologies to a point where venture capital or commercial entities are more able to invest in them, expand workforce education and training that fills the gaps in the region and support ecosystem projects that bridge the microelectronics community together.
Acceptable uses of funds include:
- Ecosystem Development – Applicants may identify lab-to-fab facility and/or equipment gaps and propose the purchasing, installation and utilization of that equipment for the benefit of the broader microelectronics community.
- Workforce Development – Applicants may identify capital expense gaps and propose corresponding purchases that will enhance existing workforce development programs or contribute to the creation of new programs. Proposals should be for microelectronics education and training programs driven by employer needs in the region.
- Technology Development – Applicants may identify capital expenses that will support technology and product development of early-stage microelectronics concepts, helping to mature the technologies to a point of readiness for follow-on public and/or private investment.
The NEMC Hub objectives for the SCALE Capital Program are as follows:
- Objective 1 - Alignment with the following microelectronics focus areas:
- Communication Technologies (including 5G/6G)
- Advanced Packaging
- AI Hardware
- Semiconductor Processes (for example: processes from CMOS, Wide Bandgap, etc.)
- Secure Edge Computing/IoT
- Quantum
- Objective 2 - Transitioning technology from laboratories into prototyping and manufacturing. Not applicable to Workforce Development Projects.
Eligible applicants include:
Entities located in Massachusetts, including:
- Institutions of higher education – state, municipal, and community colleges and universities
- Non-profit organizations (including incubators, accelerators, etc.)
- Other public entities
- Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs)
For-profit entities are eligible to apply if they partner with an educational institution, non-profit organization or other public entity located in Massachusetts. For-profit entities include but are not limited to:
- For-profit incubators and accelerators
- Startups
- Mid-size companies
- Large companies
If the for-profit entity is located outside of Massachusetts, it must have or plan to have significant operations in Massachusetts.
Preference will be given to existing NEMC Hub members as of April 29, if the application meets the defined criteria.
Grants are available for capital purchases including equipment, development of new technology platforms or systems and related capital costs. The acquisition of land and construction of new buildings, fringe benefits and indirect cost are not eligible capital expenditures for the purposes of this program. Staff salaries are also not a reimbursable capital expenditure for the purposes of this program.
All capital expenditures funded under this program must be accounted for by the recipient in its financial records as a capital expenditure under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”).
Allowable Charges include:
- Capitalized Equipment
- Capitalized Labor
Work that has been completed or equipment purchased prior to the due date for proposals is not eligible for reimbursement with SCALE Capital grant funds. Applicants may, at their own risk, choose to order capital equipment after the closing date for proposal submissions; the applicant; however, assumes risk of all costs if they are not selected for an award. If a deposit on the equipment is a commitment to purchase, it cannot be done prior to the closing date for proposal submissions in order to be eligible for reimbursement.
All projects granted through this NOFO must have a direct impact within the borders of Massachusetts. All equipment or other capital assets procured under this program must remain in the Commonwealth and be used for their funded purpose for the useful life of the asset after installation.
| Task | Date |
| NOFO Released | April 29, 2025 |
| Informational Webinar | May 13, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. EDT |
| Questions Due - Submit here | May 15, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. EDT |
| Question and Answer File Posted | May 20, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. EDT |
| Concept Papers Due | June 3, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. EDT |
| Invitation to Submit Full Proposal | June 24, 2025 |
| Full Proposals Due | August 1, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. EDT |
Applications will be submitted in two phases. Please review the NOFO and following documents for details and instructions.
- Concept Paper - All eligible applicants, due June 3.
- Concept Paper Application Instructions (PDF)
- Concept Paper Template (WORD)
- Full Proposal - Invited applicants, due August 1.
- Full Proposal Application Instructions (PDF)
- Full Proposal Template (WORD)
- Full Proposal Budget Template (EXCEL)
Questions: After reviewing the NOFO, program page and attending the webinar, remaining questions can be directed to proposals@masstech.org with the email subject: “Questions – NOFO No. 2025-NEMC-02." Questions are due by Thursday, May 15 at 5:00 p.m. and will be answered in a public document.