Advanced Aerial Mobility Activation Fund

Grant Information

This fund aims to create a centralized pipeline of AAM projects that have the potential to validate technical and economic feasibility of key AAM use cases, generate critical data that can be used to inform policy making and accelerate AAM readiness and growth in the state.

Call for Projects

The AAM Activation Fund has put out a call for market-led project proposals and will accept applications on a rolling basis until funds are depleted. Applications will be evaluated by a cross-agency review committee and may qualify for direct funding from one or more state entities or used to inform future competitive solicitations. All information submitted in the AAM Activation Fund and Interest Form may be subject to disclosure under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act.

Eligibility

Eligible projects must address a use case with clear, potential impact to the State of Michigan. Potential projects will be evaluated across a range of factors including, but not limited to technical and economic feasibility, impact potential, and scalability.

Feasibility

• Feasibility of proposed projects based on regulatory and technical readiness
• Economic feasibility of proposed projects based on sustainable business model

Impact

• Potential of proposed project to advance State of Michigan climate goals by reducing emissions / environmental impact versus current transportation methods
• Potential of proposed project to increase and drive measurable community benefits by increasing equitable access in underserved areas or historically disadvantaged communities
• Potential of proposed project to drive efficiency, sustainability and/or resilience across critical supply chains
• Potential of proposed project to foster Public-private partnerships

Scalability

• Demonstrated demand and clear path to scale with sustainable business model

Initial use cases of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Drones for inspection of critical infrastructure, delivery of medical supplies or other healthcare services, and movement of critical parts or goods to support supply chain resilience
• Drone and advanced aircraft technology for defense and dual-use applications
• Sustainable aviation for regional passenger travel or cargo/logistics
• Analysis, planning and development of enabling infrastructure including but not limited to: drone ports, vertiports, electric aircraft charging infrastructure
• AAM/drone training