Circular Economy Grants

Applicants must be physically located in Michigan and can be a single entity or a collaboration.

• Businesses

• Non-profit organizations

• Tribal governments

• School districts, universities, colleges

• Local health departments

• Regional planning agencies, municipal solid waste or resource recovery authorities

• Cities, villages, townships, charter townships, counties

• Or similar entities

·      

• Novel Technology: Technology solutions which have potential to enable more efficient, cost effective, improved quality or increased volume of material recovery.

• Recycled Content/Material Innovations: Developing methods utilizing significant amounts of recycled content in new or existing products.

• Supply Chain Adaptation: Developing and adapting reuse models, drop-off centers for hard-to-recover materials, material aggregation sites, and other projects that reduce waste and increase recovery of usable materials.

• Organic Materials: Increased end-market use of organic materials such as food scraps and urban wood waste.

• Upstream Innovations: Scaling reusable packaging, repair-based business models, or reuse of goods before recycling.

Grant funds are provided via reimbursement of expenses and can be utilized for equipment and supplies, research and testing, data analysis and collection, marketing and promotion, travel (aligned with the state travel rates) and/or services related to expenditures. The grants have an award cap based on expenditure type. See the application packet for more details.

Match requirements for the grant will vary based on the applicant and are expected to be cash contributions, no in-kind, salaries, or similar expenses. Match refers to the amount contributed by the grantee or partners separate from the grant award. See the application packet for more details.

To be considered, applicants must complete and submit the online grant application and supplemental materials by the January 9, 2026, deadline. Applications must be accompanied by a detailed budget and work plan.

We encourage potential applicants to reach out – including during the application period!

• Office Hours: Schedule a free 30-minute virtual meeting with the NextCycle Michigan program administrator, Keira Higgins, to discuss questions specific to your project, eligibility, application requirements, or other concerns you may have about applying for the Circular Economy Grant program.

• Application Party: Hosted on November 20th, this event provides an overview of the grant program and then opens up for attendee questions.