Iowa Manufacturing 4.0 Technology Investment Program
Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) / Iowa State University CIRAS
Up to $75,000 (lifetime)
Automate your Iowa factory floor
Iowa reimburses up to $75,000 (lifetime per business) for small and mid-sized manufacturers adopting Industry 4.0 technologies — robotics, automation, IIoT sensors, cybersecurity infrastructure, data analytics, and AR systems. Requires a pre-application CIRAS assessment and a 1:1 cash match. Applications open annually on iowagrants.gov.
- Funding type
- Grant
- Level
- State
- Amount range
- $75,000
- Realistic amount
- Most awardees receive $20,000–$50,000 for a single equipment or IIoT infrastructure project. The lifetime cap means busi…
- Deadline
- Annual — applications opened January 5, 2026. Assessment window typically opens September of prior year.
- Status
- active
- States
- IA
- Payment model
- reimbursement
Who qualifies
- Iowa-incorporated or authorized to conduct business in Iowa
- NAICS codes 31–33 (manufacturing sector only)
- Between 3 and 125 full-time employees across all locations
- At least 51% of revenue from sales of manufactured goods
- Minimum 3 years in operation
- In good standing with the Iowa Department of Revenue
- Must complete a CIRAS Manufacturing 4.0 Assessment before applying — assessment submission required with application
- 1:1 cash match of grant funds required
Hard requirements
- Must be incorporated
- Restricted to industry: manufacturing (NAICS 31-33)
- Restricted to specific NAICS codes: 31, 32, 33
- Minimum 3 employees
- Max 125 employees
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Collaborative robots (cobots) and automated manufacturing equipment
- 3D printers and additive manufacturing systems
- Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) sensors and integration hardware
- Predictive maintenance software and data analytics platforms
- Cybersecurity infrastructure specific to manufacturing operations
- Augmented reality (AR) training or assembly systems
- RFID tracking and inventory automation systems
- Server equipment for manufacturing data processing
Ineligible expenses
- General business operating expenses (payroll, rent, utilities)
- Marketing or sales expenses
- Non-manufacturing software (HR, accounting, CRM)
- Equipment purchased before grant approval
- In-kind match (cash match only)
- Costs exceeding the $75,000 lifetime cap
How to apply
-
1
Request a CIRAS Manufacturing 4.0 Assessment
Contact Iowa State University CIRAS during the assessment window (opens ~September of prior year, closes ~late November). CIRAS conducts an on-site or virtual Industry 4.0 readiness assessment at no cost to the manufacturer. Assessment report required with grant application.
-
2
Gather eligibility documents
Prepare: Iowa tax permit, articles of incorporation, current employee count documentation, 3 months of recent financial statements, and a detailed project budget showing the proposed technology purchase and matching funds.
-
3
Submit application on iowagrants.gov
Applications open January 5 of each cycle year. Upload the CIRAS assessment, all eligibility documents, and project budget. Clearly identify the 1:1 match source (internal cash, not in-kind).
-
4
Await review and approval
IEDA reviews applications on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted. Approved businesses receive a grant agreement. Technology must be purchased after grant approval — pre-purchase disqualifies the expense.
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5
Purchase, implement, and submit for reimbursement
Procure approved equipment or systems. Submit receipts, invoices, and proof of payment to IEDA for reimbursement. Funds are disbursed after expenses are incurred and verified.
Industry & certifications
NAICS codes: 31, 32, 33
The CIRAS assessment is the real gate — it fills up fast. Request yours in September, not November. Without it, your application is automatically incomplete.
Deadline & timing
Assessment request window opens September of the prior year (e.g. Sept 8, 2025 for the 2026 round); last day to request an assessment is typically late November. Applications open January on iowagrants.gov. Funds are limited — apply early in the cycle.
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Last reviewed 2026. GrantCompass is an independent funding-discovery tool and is not affiliated with any government agency. Always confirm details on the official program page.