Innovation Network Matching Grants

About this funding opportunity

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The Innovation Network Matching Grant Program is part of Rhode Island Commerce’s Innovation Initiatives Portfolio, created to foster innovation in small businesses and further advance the competitiveness of Rhode Island’s companies in the national and global economies.

The Innovation Network Matching Grant Program provides grants to organizations that provide support to small businesses through one or more of the following ways: Technical assistance Space on flexible terms Access to capital Key Components of the Grant: Minimum of $50,000 in funding request, with at least a 50 percent match (cash or in-kind) There is no maximum grant amount but typical grants in the program are around $75,000-$125,000 Eligible applicants include nonprofits, universities and co-working space operators Applicant must offer support to small businesses (500 or fewer employees) that are either: in targeted industries including life sciences, ocean economy, defense, food/agriculture, critical technologies (cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, quantum, etc.), financial empowerment, and technology commercialization, or evaluating a transition to become an employee-owned business*, regardless of industry.

* _An “employee-owned business” means any small business that is a workers’ cooperative or has an employee stock ownership plan._ References Rules and Regulations for the Innovation Network Matching Grant Program Innovation Initiative Act, R.I.G.L. § 42-64.28

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Applications are now closed for FY2026.

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Download the Network Matching Grant Budget Template

Network Matching Grant Application Portal

Topic areas: General and Cross-cutting R&D, Advanced Manufacturing and Industry, Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), Social Innovation and Community Development.

Funding amount

This grant provides Varies in funding.

Deadline

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis; there is no single fixed deadline.

Who can apply

This opportunity is open to the following applicant types:

• Not specified by the program.

Eligibility

The program did not publish a separate eligibility statement. See the official opportunity page for the full eligibility criteria.

Agency

Innovation Network Matching Grants is administered by Rhode Island Commerce Corporation (RI Commerce), listed via Rhode Island Commerce Corporation.