Jeff Lawrence Innovation Fund
The Jeff Lawrence Innovation Fund supports technology development and commercialization efforts across New York State. The Fund launched in 2016 and is named for the late Jeff Lawrence, a champion of the New York manufacturing and entrepreneurial communities. The Innovation Fund comprises three program tracks:
- Manufacturing Grants - Collaborative grants that help not-for-profit organizations and New York State manufacturers adopt new technologies, enhance manufacturing processes, and bring innovative products closer to market.
- Commercialization Competition - A statewide competition that awards early-stage companies investments to support prototype advancement, go-to-market strategies, and investor readiness.
- Innovation Challenge - Targeted challenges that address pressing industry needs (such as microelectronics, advanced materials, supply chain development, food & ag), with intermittent application cycles and award amounts tailored to each challenge’s goals.
Collectively, these programs provide more than $1 million in direct funding annually across sectors including advanced manufacturing, biotech, cleantech, health/medical, microelectronics, and more.
For detailed eligibility, award specifics, and current application opportunities, visit FuzeHub.com/Innovation-Fund/
NEW FOR 2026
There will be a single round of Manufacturing Grants in 2026. Established companies and startups apply during the same timeline, but select their stage within the application.
2026 Eligibility
Applications must include both a not-for-profit organization and a minimum of one (1) New York State startup manufacturer (industry partner).
Eligible Applicants: New York State not-for-profit organizations that partner with at least one New York State manufacturer or technology company.
Eligible Partner Manufacturers: At least 1, and up to 5, manufacturing or technology companies in any stage of maturity that:
- is physical establishment in New York State;
- has no more than 500 employees worldwide; and,
- has a Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) profile, including a registered eligible North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code (see guidelines for list of eligible NAICS codes).
While companies in any stage of development are eligible to apply, the application questions are based on company development stage. If at least one industry partner meets the “startup” criteria, applicants are advised to select the “startup” sub-track. Otherwise, applicants should select the “established companies” sub-track.
A startup company is a company that meets ALL of these criteria:
- Annual revenue is less than $100K,
- Total revenue to date is less than $500K; and,
- Total investments received to date do not exceed $2M (excluding grants).
In the case of a subsidiary, the parent company must fulfill the requirements above.
If a manufacturer does not have an eligible NAICS code in their D&B profile, FuzeHub can work with them to initiate the process of obtaining one.
Applicants may only submit one application, consisting of a single project.
In the case of a university, up to three different centers or departments at a given university may apply. University applicants must provide the subset of the university such as college, school or department in the application form.
Each manufacturing company can only be the industry partner in one application per round.
Eligibility will be confirmed during Stage 1, before the applicant can have access to the full Manufacturing Grant application (Stage 2).
For more information, check our website at https://fuzehub.com/2026-manufacturing-grants/