Maryland Science and Technology Grants

The Rural Maryland Council is accepting applications for 2025 Rural Maryland Prosperity Investment Fund Grant: Regional Planning and Development Councils. Donor Name: Rural Maryland Council State: Maryland County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/17/2024 Size of the Grant: $500,000 to $1 million Grant Duration: Less than 1 Year Details: The objective of the Rural Maryland Prosperity Investment Fund (RMPIF) is to help raise the overall standard of living in rural areas to a level that meets or exceeds statewide benchmark averages by 2030 while preserving the best aspects of a cultural heritage and rural way of life. Resources provided to the Fund are designed to facilitate significant targeted investments in important economic and community development programs and promote regional and intergovernmental cooperation. These investments will also enable local and regional public and nonprofit organizations to leverage additional non-state financial and human resources to facilitate the realization of sustainable rural development objectives. The Fund will serve the interests of the entire State by: Encouraging the increase of entrepreneurial activity and commerce and a balanced economy in the State; Relieving conditions of unemployment and underemployment in rural areas; Assisting in the retention of valuable farm and forest land for productive use by present and future generations; Promoting intergovernmental cooperation and public sector/private sector partnerships in and between rural and other areas; Enhancing the deployment of housing, transportation, water, wastewater, and broadband communications infrastructure and services in rural areas; Supporting rural commercial center redevelopment and community revitalization efforts; and, Generally promoting the health, happiness, safety, employment opportunity, and general welfare of the residents of each of the rural counties and municipal corporations of the State. Regional Councils: The General Assembly has established five regional planning and development councils to concentrate on the needs of specific rural regions and ensure that those areas are not overlooked in public policy discussions. Each council serves a three-county area that is geographically, culturally and socioeconomically similar. By working together and ignoring jurisdictional lines when need be, the rural regions have become stronger and more effective in finding solutions to the challenges before them. The regional councils have brought elected, civic, and business leaders in their regions together to help create economic development strategies, preserve and assist agricultural and resource-based industries, obtain federal funding for infrastructure improvements, coordinate and sometimes even manage regional transportation projects (including public transit services), and develop support for a diverse set of public policy initiatives. Rural regional planning and development assistance will provide grants specifically for projects and activities of the five rural regional planning and development councils and for other multi-county rural improvement efforts. The Councils have established strategic needs within the rural communities which will be reflected in the approved grant agreements. Funding Information Each regional council is eligible to receive $600,000 in FY2025 for rural regional planning and development assistance. Eligibility Criteria  Tri-County Council of Western Maryland, Tri-County Council of Southern Maryland, Upper Shore Regional Council, Mid-Shore Regional Council, Tri-County Council of the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland, and multicounty efforts serving rural communities in areas not served by the regional councils. For more information, visit RMC.

Talbot Arts invites grant applications for the Community Arts Development (CAD) Program to fund arts activities that serve Talbot County. Donor Name: Talbot Arts State: Maryland County: Talbot County (MD) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline:  05/08/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: The goal is to engage all members of the community through targeted outreach. Its simplified application process, easily accessible support, and transparent evaluations create an even playing field. Funding Information These grants ranged from $1,000-$24,000. July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025.  Eligibility Criteria Non-profit and government-related organizations that provide equitable access to diverse and inclusive local arts activities for citizens and visitors to Talbot County can apply for Community Arts Development grants. They are especially interested in programs that bring the arts to underserved communities, including people in healthcare settings, the economically disadvantaged, seniors, and those with special needs. Grant Criteria Talbot Arts frequently receives more grant requests than can be accommodated by the resources available.  Therefore, the Arts Council retains the right to accept or reject grant applications, to suggest changes, and to support grant requests in full, in part, or not at all.  In deciding on applications, the Arts Council is guided by: The artistic merit of the proposed activities. Organizational effectiveness – the ability of the applying organization to carry out the activity Service to the community – how well the proposed activity or program will serve the students, residents and guests of Talbot County For more information, visit Talbot Arts.

The Community Engagement Cluster and the Office of Grants Management are soliciting grant applications under the County’s FY 2024 Place-Based Management Grants Program from qualified organizations that support economic growth and revitalization initiatives across the County’s commercial corridors, both nascent and established. Donor Name: Montgomery County Office of Grants Management State: Maryland County: Montgomery County (MD) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/08/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: The focus of the grants program is to enhance bottom-up economic development efforts serving residents and businesses by using Place-Based Management strategies aligned with the Main Street Approach. Generally, activities are envisioned to fall into the following two categories: Provision of assistance to commercial areas to retain, expand, and attract neighborhood-serving retail and other small businesses; and Unification and strengthening of commercial corridors through events, promotion, marketing, maintenance, and diverse stakeholder engagements. All activities are required to actively engage with stakeholders, including residents, businesses, and the Montgomery County Government. Funding Priorities Priority in awarding funding will be given to projects which provide services or meet needs that fall under at least three of the four points of the Main Street Approach: Economic Vitality focuses on capital, incentives, and other economic and financial tools to assist new and existing businesses, catalyze property development, and create a supportive environment for entrepreneurs and innovators that drive local economies. Design supports a community’s transformation by enhancing the physical and visual assets that set the commercial district apart. Promotion positions the downtown or commercial district as the center of the community and hub of economic activity, while creating a positive image that showcases a community’s unique characteristics. Organization involves creating a strong foundation for a sustainable revitalization effort, including cultivating partnerships, community involvement, and resources for the district. Funding Information Montgomery County Government anticipates awarding $400,000 through approximately two to five awards. It is anticipated that each grant award may range between $25,000 and $200,000. The final amount will be dependent upon grant activities and final negotiation and may be lower or higher than the range. The duration of any grant award under this solicitation is expected to be 12 months with possibility for renewal for up to three total years contingent on satisfactory performance and funds availability Eligible Expenses  Eligible expenses under this grants program include operating costs defined as costs that support ongoing expenditures associated with projects. Illustrative operating expenses include but are not limited to: Administrative expenses to fund a Program Manager and support staff Community or business outreach Implementation of neighborhood economic development activities Neighborhood place making and place management. Target Populations The target populations for this grant are businesses and residents of the identified commercial corridor. Eligibility Criteria  Applicants must meet all the following conditions: The organization must have a Federal 501(c)(3), 501(c)(6) tax-exempt status or be a collaboration between two or more entities with at least one having this status; The organization must be currently registered and in Good Standing with the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT); All activities and expenditures under this grant program must be provided in Montgomery County OR be exclusively for Montgomery County residents if activities and expenditures occur outside of the County; Current Montgomery County contract or grant award winners must be current on all reporting obligations for other awards and those reports must reflect substantial progress towards the goals of their awards; Proposed expenses must be for a new activity, expansion of existing activities, or a combination of both. County funding cannot be used to supplant other funding for already planned activities; Applicants may only submit one application per organization under this NOFO; Organizations that were funded under this program last year are eligible to apply. If submitting a multi-year application, please note that FY23 counts as Year 1. As such, they may submit applications that request funding for up to two more years. For more information, visit Montgomery County Office of Grants Management.

The SFY 2025 Local Warrant Apprehension & Absconding Grant Program (WAAG), funded by the State of Maryland's Governor's Office of Crime Prevention and Policy, aims to support local law enforcement agencies in reducing the number of open warrants, particularly those for violent crimes, and in apprehending individuals who have absconded from court-ordered drug and/or alcohol treatment facilities. The program is designed to improve the quality of life and create safer communities by reducing violent crime through the effective apprehension of wanted individuals. This initiative supports coordinated criminal justice strategies and enhances data availability for informed decision-making. The program anticipates a minimum of $2,000,000 in grant funding and plans to make up to 35 awards ranging from $10,000 to $150,000. Applications that do not meet the minimum or exceed the maximum award allocation may be removed during the initial technical review. The funding is contingent upon final approval of the budget by Maryland’s General Assembly.

The Harford Strides Fund has $220,000 available as a temporary grant for up to two consecutive years to help tourism-related organizations, which are in the infancy stage of program development. Donor Name: Harford County Office of Economic Development State: Maryland County: Harford County (MD) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/03/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Eligibility Criteria  Must be a Harford County 501(c)3 or 501(c)6 in good standing with Maryland’s State Department of Assessment and Taxation AND a registered organization as a Maryland charitable organization. Must articulate successes, lessons learned, and other best practices in its business model, demonstrating how the organization is building toward a model for long-term sustainability as an easily identifiable tourism-related, collaborative program or operation that draws its audience from OUTSIDE the borders of Harford County and encourages overnight hotel stays. Must clearly articulate the intent of the applicant’s program or operations is to drive overnight hotel stays in Harford County. Must clearly document hardship that puts program or operations in jeopardy “but for County funding” and demonstrates that “but for this County contribution,” the organization would be unable to execute the program or operations as described for this year. Must clearly demonstrate the ability to pursue additional funding sources, other than Harford County Government, that support the program or event through sponsorship, another grant donor, fundraising efforts, etc. Must demonstrate a niche role in offering tourism-related program or operation. Must not have submitted an application for the Partnership Fund. For more information, visit HCOED.

The Maryland Criminal Intelligence Network (MCIN) Grant Program, as part of the SFY 2025 initiative by the Governor's Office of Crime Prevention and Policy, focuses on developing comprehensive information-sharing infrastructures to enable cross-jurisdictional intelligence sharing. The goal is to dismantle criminal networks involved in various illegal activities, including drug trafficking, human trafficking, gun violence, and gang activities. This initiative supports the enhancement of public safety by facilitating the formation of partnerships across criminal justice agencies for improved data sharing, investigations, and prosecutions.

The Louis H. Shaman Charitable Foundation awards grants to organizations supporting senior residents in Maryland. Donor Name: Louis H. Shaman Charitable Foundation State: Maryland County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/01/2024 Size of the Grant: More than $1 million Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Program Areas Health Human services Grantmaking Priorities Preference is given to organizations in the state of Maryland that benefit the elderly, disadvantaged, and disabled. Funding Information Average grant size: $5,000 to $15,000. Requirements Organizations are not considered when their fundraising expenses have exceeded 15% of their total gross receipts in each of the two years prior to submission of an application. To be eligible, organizations must qualify as exempt organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Applications must be submitted through the online grant application form or alternative accessible application designed for assistive technology users. For more information, visit Wells Fargo.

This grant is designed to improve the quality and timeliness of forensic science and medical examiner/coroner services within the State of Maryland. It aims to support state and local law enforcement agencies and medical examiner's offices by providing funds to alleviate bottlenecks and improve the overall efficiency of forensic science services, including laboratory analysis and crime scene examination. The grant supports Maryland's law enforcement goals of disrupting and dismantling criminal organizations involved in guns, gangs, drugs, and human trafficking.

Launched in 2023, this program aims to enhance Maryland's strategic sectors through innovation infrastructure projects. With $10 million allocated for FY2024, it supports a wide range of technology sectors and is set to run until June 30, 2027. Projects include various infrastructure developments to foster innovation and growth. The Build Our Future Grant Pilot Program and Fund (Fund) is a financing resource operated by the Maryland Department of Commerce (Commerce), to provide grants for innovation infrastructure projects intended to support innovation in an eligible technology sector. In FY24 $10 million is available for grants to transformative projects that accelerate the growth of the state’s strategic industry sectors. Grants may be awarded to private companies, nonprofit entities, local governments, or colleges and universities in the State.

The program, with a funding availability of $3.5 million, is designed to enhance the testing of sexual assault kits to aid in the prosecution and investigation of sexual assault cases. It supports both the Maryland State Police and local law enforcement agencies, focusing on kits collected since May 1, 2018, to help improve victim services and address the backlog of untested kits​​.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in the Archdiocese of Baltimore to enhance community well-being through initiatives in arts, education, healthcare, and human services.

​The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) provides funding to assist Maryland’s designated and affiliate Main Street Maryland communities and Baltimore City’s designated Main Street neighborhoods in building capacity to achieve their community revitalization and economic development goals in designated Sustainable Community areas​ throughout the state. Donor Name: Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development State: Maryland City: Baltimore Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/17/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Eligible Activities Grants can be used for staff and consultant services, general operating expenses, market and business recruitment strategies to improve a business district, street furniture, advertising, façade improvements and other projects that have been identified in the applicant’s work plans as key to its Main Street efforts. The project and/or activities that funds are being requested for should support the goals and outcomes of the applicant’s annual work plan and contribute to the transformation strategy of the community. All projects and/or activities should be completed within one year; a funding match is not required. Who Can Apply​ Only the 34 designated and 9 affiliate Main Street Maryland communities and 8 Baltimore City’s designated Main Street neighborhoods are eligible to request Main Street Improvement Program funds. Main Street Improvement Program (MIP) Grant awards are allocated funds that are distributed in equal amounts to designated Main Street Maryland, participating Main Street Maryland Affiliates and designated Baltimore City Main Street neighborhoods as follows: Designed Main Street Maryland Communities: expected to be $25,000 each. Main Street Maryland Affiliates: expected to be $10,000 each. Baltimore City Main Street Neighborhoods: expected to be $8,000 each. For more information, visit DHCD.

The Maryland Agricultural Education and Rural Development Assistance Fund (MAERDAF) provides grants to rural-serving nonprofit organizations that promote statewide and regional planning, economic and community development, and agricultural and forestry education. Donor Name: Rural Maryland Council State: Maryland County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/17/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Less than 1 Year Details: Also eligible are rural community colleges that provide enhanced training and technical assistance to support agricultural and small businesses. The Fund’s goal is to increase the overall capacity of rural-serving nonprofit organizations and community colleges to meet a multitude of rural development challenges and to help them establish new public/private partnerships for leveraging non-state sources of funding. The Rural Maryland Council (RMC) serves as the administrative agency in receiving the applications and disbursing the grants to the successful applicants. Funding Information For Fiscal Year 2025, the State has budgeted $878,964 in General Funds for the MAERDAF program. However, grant awards are subject to funding availability. The maximum grant amount is $45,000. For Fiscal Year 2025, the RMC, as the administrative agent, is encouraging applications that address the following: Agriculture & Forestry Agricultural Education Regional Food System Development Forest Industry Development Energy Combined Heat Power Energy Efficiency Biomass Rural Broadband Rural Broadband Expansion Efforts, including municipal broadband Digital Inclusion Programs Youth Engagement & Leadership Development Career Technology Centers Youth Enrichment Programs, including summer programming Economic Development Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Development Education & Workforce Development Regional Marketing Efforts & Tourism Projects Community Development Rural Transportation Housing repairs Housing counseling Poverty Alleviation Efforts. Grant Period August 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025. Rural Counties  State-determined rural counties are Allegany, Calvert, Caroline, Carroll, Cecil, Charles, Dorchester, Frederick, Garrett, Harford, Kent, Queen Anne’s, St. Mary’s, Somerset, Talbot, Washington, Wicomico and Worcester. Regional projects may include non-rural counties but the majority of service must be provided in rural areas. Eligible Expenditures MAERDAF does not generally fund ongoing staff positions due to sustainability. Grant funds may be used to fund staff time associated with the completion of the proposed project only. Construction and renovation of buildings are eligible expenses. Acquisition of land is not. Please include quotes of expenditures and be shovel-ready. The purchase or rental of vehicles are eligible expenses. Meals are allowable if the costs are reasonable and a justification is provided that such activity maintains the continuity of the meeting and to do otherwise will impose arduous conditions on the meeting participants. Indirect administrative costs are capped at 10%. Eligibility Criteria Applicants must be a 501(c)(3) IRS tax designation or similar and serve a regional or statewide rural constituency. Trade associations are not eligible. Community Colleges, Career Technology Centers, Regional Councils, and Libraries are eligible applicants. The applicant does not have to be located in a rural area or in the area it serves. For more information, visit RMC.