The NextCycle Michigan Seed Awards Program is offering small-scale funding in the form of $8,000–$10,000 awards to support early-stage projects focused on keeping materials out of the landfill.

These awards are designed to help businesses, public sector entities, solid waste authorities, tribal governments, universities/colleges, and non-profits get a jump-start to launch or scale a solution that fills a gap in Michigan’s circular economy.

This funding opportunity is made possible by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) and is managed through the NextCycle Michigan Program. NextCycle Michigan is an initiative designed to accelerate recycling, recovery, and reuse projects that support a robust circular economy in Michigan. Through a series of innovation challenges and funding opportunities, the program helps turn ideas into actionable, sustainable solutions.

Seed Awards can support projects that directly or indirectly improve collecting, processing, minimizing, reusing, composting, or recycling of Michigan’s waste materials. Types of materials recovered may range from textiles, plastics, metals, organic waste, food scraps, construction and demolition debris, batteries, or other materials. Note: tires and electronic waste are not eligible for this funding opportunity.