Manufacturing Innovation Fund Voucher Program (MVP)

The Manufacturing Innovation Fund Voucher Program (MVP) is a matching grant program for Connecticut manufacturers, funded through the state's Manufacturing Innovation Fund and administered by CCAT on behalf of the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD).

The program is designed to help small and mid-sized manufacturers in Connecticut pay for innovation projects — work that improves productivity, efficiency, and competitiveness — when that work is carried out with a third-party vendor. Instead of covering the full cost of a project, MVP provides matching funds: applicants must contribute their own match, set at a 2:1 ratio for new applicants and 3:1 for repeat applicants, meaning the business puts up more of its own money than the grant provides.

Award amounts range from $6,250 to $100,000, though the exact amount for any project depends on the scope of the work and the applicant's matching contribution. Awards are distributed first-come, first-served, so businesses that apply earlier in a funding round have a better chance of securing money before funds run out.

This program matters to a small manufacturer because it can offset the cost of hiring outside expertise for upgrades or improvements that the business might not otherwise be able to afford on its own. Because this is state-administered and funding rounds open and close over time, applicants should confirm current round status, exact award amounts, and eligibility requirements directly at the official DECD/CCAT site before applying. Deadlines are not fixed and should be checked for the current round.