Manufacturing 4.0 Technology Investment Program

Manufacturing 4.0 Technology Investment

Funds smart manufacturing adoption for Iowa small and mid-sized producers through technology upgrades and digital readiness support.

The Manufacturing 4.0 Technology Investment Program is administered by the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) to help small and mid-sized Iowa manufacturers adopt smart technologies in their existing operations. The programme provides matching grants of up to $75,000 per business over the lifetime of the business — meaning any company that has previously received a Manufacturing 4.0 award cannot reapply. Eligible technology investments fall into two categories: Manufacturing Innovation Equipment (including 3D printers, collaborative robotics, and automation equipment) and Manufacturing Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) Infrastructure (including server hardware, cybersecurity software, predictive maintenance tools, sensor integration, data analytics systems, augmented reality equipment, and RFID tracking systems). A 1:1 match from the applicant is required, meaning IEDA funds up to 50% of eligible project costs.

Eligibility is restricted to Iowa-incorporated businesses in the manufacturing sector (NAICS codes 31–33) with at least 51% of revenue derived from manufactured goods, between 3 and 124 full-time employees across all locations, and a minimum three years of operating history. Applicants must be in good standing with the Iowa Department of Revenue. A mandatory prerequisite is completion of a CIRAS Manufacturing 4.0 Assessment during the assessment window (September 8 – November 21, 2025 for the FY2026 cycle), and the completed assessment must accompany the application. FY2026 applications opened January 5, 2026, through iowagrants.gov.

Because the $75,000 ceiling is a lifetime cap and the CIRAS assessment must be completed months before applications open, manufacturers should plan the assessment process well in advance. Projects demonstrating integrated adoption of multiple IIoT components alongside robotics or automation are most aligned with the programme's intent. Contact Anna Lensing at anna.lensing@iowaeda.com or 515-348-6199 for programme guidance.