Maryland Makerspace Initiative Program – US

The funds are administered by TEDCO to local governments, entities designated by local governments, or nonprofit entities who are seeking assistance with the establishment, expansion, or operation costs of Makerspaces in Maryland.

The Makerspace Program awards will be made in the form of a grant up to $100,000 to be used for either:

• The establishment of a new Makerspace
• The expansion of a Makerspace
• The development of programming for a Makerspace

Financial Assistance

Applicants may apply for one of three different types of Financial Assistance under the Program:

• Type A: Establish a New Makerspace
  • Applicants seeking funding to establish a new Makerspace facility may request up to $100,000 per year for up to three years for a maximum of $300,000. Applicants must show evidence of additional financial support needed to ensure the establishment and operation of the Makerspace for a period of at least five (5) years from the date of the award and have a sustainability plan extending beyond the initial five-year period.
  • Applicants who have not conducted a feasibility study may apply for up to $25,000 for up to one year to conduct such a study. This funding requires a 1:1 cash match. Reports resulting from feasibility studies funded through the Program must be provided to TEDCO.
• Type B: Expand an Existing Makerspace 
  • Applicants seeking funding to expand their facilities or services at an existing Makerspace may request up to $100,000 for one year. This funding can be used to support facility expansion, new tools or equipment, launching new services, or other expansion activities.
• Type C: Develop Programming for a Makerspace 
  • Applicants seeking funding to develop Makerspace programming may request up to $25,000 for one year to create and launch a new program. Programming should focus on educational opportunities for personal growth, workforce training, entrepreneurship, or other valuable training using the tools and technology available at a Makerspace.

Technical Assistance 

• Awardees may apply for up to ten (10) hours of Technical Assistance, which will be available to address specific needs in the establishment, expansion, or operation of a Makerspace. Technical Assistance will be provided by Open Works.

Eligibility

• Entities eligible for Financial Assistance or Technical Assistance under the Program must be either:
  • a local government,
  • an agency, an instrumentality, or a nonprofit corporation that the local government designates, or
  • another nonprofit entity.
• Any such entity (an “Applicant”) must be operating, or seeking to operate, a Makerspace in Maryland.
• Additional eligibility requirements include:
  • Makerspace facilities receiving Financial or Technical Assistance through the Program must be open and accessible to the general public. Makerspaces that serve a specific K-12 school, university, or otherwise pre-defined community are ineligible unless they also devote at least 50% of their operating hours to public programming or services.
    • Entities receiving Financial Assistance must provide matching funds or in-kind contributions for their project at least equal to the amount of the award (e.g., a minimum of a 1:1 match).
    • Entities receiving Financial or Technical Assistance must agree to provide six-month project status reports for the duration of the funded project.
    • Entities receiving Financial or Technical Assistance must participate in quarterly meetings of statewide Makerspaces (the “Maryland Makerspace Network”) to discuss the following:
      • Developing data collection and sharing standards for Makerspace usage and economic impact data that can be provided to TEDCO,
      • Creating standards for reciprocity (shared access) to members of other Maryland Makerspace Network participants,
      • Defining standards for safety and other operational best practices,
      • Considering a more formal establishment of a member-driven association of Makerspaces for Maryland.

For more information, visit TEDCO.