Iowa Manufacturing 4.0 Technology Investment Program
Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) / Iowa State University CIRAS
Up to $75,000 (lifetime)
Researched for this program: 6 rejection traps · 7 required documentsWhat decides this award ↓
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.
-
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.
Not accepting applications right now — get one email when it reopens
GrantCompass tracks Iowa Manufacturing 4.0 Technology Investment Program’s application windows in the live catalog. Leave an email and we’ll tell you the day the next window opens.
Free. One email when the window moves, deadline warnings on your watchlist, and the monthly closing-soon digest. Unsubscribe anytime.
Programs that stack well
Related programs
This program is not taking applications today — these are
Alternatives computed from the live GrantCompass catalog on August 25, 2026 — all 183 open grant programs · filter the database.
Explore more funding
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.