About
On September 24, 2024, Governor Healey signed into law Chapter 214 of the Acts of 2024, legislation that unlocks up to $750 million for Massachusetts to aggressively pursue federal funding opportunities, including programs authorized by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Inflation Reduction Act, and the CHIPS and Science Act. The new Commonwealth Federal Matching and Debt Reduction Fund (“Match Fund”) will be funded with interest earnings on the Stabilization Fund balance, and may be used for the purpose of pursuing federal funds until December 1, 2026.
Legislation also includes allocations of:
Up to $50M for other financial assistance for cities, towns, and tribes
Up to $12M for technical assistance for cities, towns, and tribes
The Match Fund may be used to pursue federal grants and other federal programs. This includes helping eligible entities to satisfy non-federal cost share requirements (matching funds) for discretionary grant programs.
Eligible Applicants Include:
State agencies
Independent governmental state or public entities (quasi-governmental entities)
Municipalities (cities and towns)
Tribes
Regional planning agencies (RPAs)
Community development corporations (CDCs)
Other development authorities or agencies
How to Apply
In response to the passage of the legislation, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has established a process to track, evaluate, and approve applicant requests for state matching funds for federal grant opportunities. To begin that process, applicants must fill out a form to formally request a matching funds commitment. The form is reviewed by the Federal Funds and Infrastructure Office (FFIO) and the Executive Office for Administration and Finance (A&F).
A&F and FFIO request that applicants submit the Federal Matching Funds Form at least three (3) weeks prior to the date on which a response is needed. A&F and FFIO cannot guarantee expedited review when applications are submitted with less than three weeks review time.
Please note that match commitments are subject to review, approval, and the availability of funds. Disbursement of matching funds are conditional upon a successful federal grant award.
Matching Funds Request and Evaluation Process Visualization
Applicants must provide information that includes:
Basic applicant details
Federal grant information
Project description
Explanation of how the project aligns with administration goals
Match request amount
Project cost
Alternative funding options
Engagement with other state entities
Separately emailing supporting documentation (such as the NOFO, concept paper, and/or full grant application) to fedfundsinfra@mass.gov