2025 Manufacturing Grants
Application Video Dos and Don'ts
2025 ROUND 1 APPLICATION PERIOD IS NOW CLOSED. ROUND 2 OPENS APRIL 15.
Video Dos and Don'ts for 2025 Round 2
DOs
- Clearly describe:
- the not-for-profit organization;
- the industry partner(s);
- the fit between the aforementioned organizations (why are you working together?);
- the technology/product being developed, what stage of development it is in, and what will this grant do in terms of this development;
- any customer discovery performed, and what insights were learned from interviewing stakeholders;
- the commercial feasibility of the product or technology, and how it integrates into current systems; and
- the societal impact of the product/technology.
- Do enunciate, and check the audio quality and volume. Make sure that viewers can clearly understand what is being said.
- Make sure that the video does not exceed 10 minutes. Anything in excess of 10 minutes will not be scored.
- Watch the video after uploading. Make sure that it works as intended (no blackouts, no skipped audio, etc.)
- We recommend the use of close captioning to add clarity. Make sure to review the close captions for accuracy.
- When applicable, if possible, do show the workspace/ lab, and the product/technology in action.
- Use plenty of visual aid to add clarity and comprehensibility.
- You may use presentation slides, but the video is not meant to be a slide presentation.
- The video can be freely edited as the team sees fit.
- Do aim for a high-quality video, but keep in mind that a low-production video will suffice. We are looking for content, not format.
- The use of animation is acceptable.
- It is acceptable to use background music for added interest, but make sure that the music is not distracting, tiresome, or too loud compared to the volume of the voices in the video.
DON'Ts
- Do not include any proprietary information in the video.
- This is not meant to be a big production. We are looking for content, not format. It is not necessary to do a professional video and paying someone to shoot and/or edit the video does not increase the probability of receiving an award.
- This is not meant to be an investor pitch.
VIDEO SAMPLE
- Below is a video sample we created for guidance.
- Please note that the video was created in 2024, and so it refers to some guidelines that have since changed. For example, for 2025:
- Established companies can only be the industry partner in round 1; only startups can be the industry partner in round 2.
- Round 2 applications should not discuss economic impacts.
- We added societal impacts and commercial feasibility as scoring criteria. They should be discussed in the video.
2025 Manufacturing Grants - Round 2, Startup Companies
Awards up to $65K Each | Applications Open Tuesday, April 15, 2025 | Application Deadline is Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at 11:59PM EST
Posted/Modified
March 12, 2025. Please check back to this site for any updates.