California’s Manufacturing Technology Grant Program

In the California Code of Regulations, Title 10, Chapter 6.56, there is the “Manufacturing Technology Grant Program.” It is comprised of 5 regulatory sections.

Section 4080.1 provides definitions for the following terms: “agency”; “applicant”; “California nonprofit corporation”; “California public agency”; “federal award”; “grant”; “in-kind support”; “manufacturing technology”; “proposal”; “solicitation”; and, “solicitation deadline.”

Section 4080.2 provides the proposal process, including the requirement that the agency establish funding cycles on an annual or one-time basis and that the agency distribute solicitations to all persons requesting information about annual funding cycles not less than 60 calendar days prior to the solicitation deadline.

In addition, the agency is required to distribute solicitations to all persons requesting information about one-time funding cycles not less than 30 calendar days prior to the solicitation deadline. Applicants are required to mail the original and copies of the proposal to the address specified. The agency is required to mail a letter to all applicants within 45 days of the agency’s funding request and whether it has been approved or disapproved. There are specific rules when a funding cycle is or is not tied to a specific federal award.

Section 4080.3 provides the proposal content, including that all proposals must include a completed Manufacturing Technology Program Proposal Form, a completed Manufacturing Technology Program Budget Form, a Proposal body, a certification signed by the Applicant’s authorized representative, and attachments as required. Specified information must be included in the Manufacturing Technology Program Proposal Form and Budget Form, as well as the Proposal body.

Section 4080.4 provides the proposal eligibility, including specifying that an eligible Proposal is one that meets all 8 requirements set forth in this regulation.

Section 4080.5 provides the funding determination and selection process, including that a panel consisting of not less than 2 and not more than 4 professional full-time employees of the Agency and at least 2 representatives of the technology development community or manufacturing community, are required to score all Proposals using the eight required criteria. The eight criteria are described as follows:

Targeted solutions to industry needs – more points will be given to those Proposals which include a manufacturing process, product or service that has an impact on the development of a significant segment of the manufacturing sector. 

Project evaluation – more points will be given to those Proposals which include a well-prepared project evaluation schedule, and criteria and measures for evaluating the project.

Organizational capacity to fulfill the goals of the program – more points will be given to Proposals that include a credible management plan that identifies project personnel who have specific experience related to proposed activities and relevant experience.

Credible project plan – more points will be given to those Proposals which include a credible plan for the development of the project including specified items.

Likelihood of federal award – more points will be given to those Proposals which use the grant as matching funds for a federal award.

Sources of funding – more points will be given to those Proposals which indicate significant funds from sources other than state and federal agencies.

Partnering with other agencies and organizations – more points will be given to those Proposals which increase the effectiveness of the diffusion and implementation of manufacturing improvement services or, accelerate the commercialization of the project by enlisting the assistance and cooperation of other agencies and organizations.

Diversity of grant awards – more points will be given to those Proposals submitted by applicants who have not received a grant or, to those Proposals that will be implemented in geographic regions in which applicants have not received a grant.