BOSTON – The Healey-Driscoll Administration and Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MassTech) today announced $2,882,219 to support seven projects through the Massachusetts (MA) AI Models Innovation Challenge grant program, a flagship initiative under the Massachusetts AI Hub that leverages domain-specific AI models to solve real-world problems within key sectors of the economy.
The projects will leverage more than $950,000 in matching funds from industry and academic partners to fund the full AI model lifecycle, from data acquisition to deployment, and support concrete, high-impact use cases such as wildfire response, pediatric health care, flood planning and recycling optimization. The projects will ultimately enhance the state’s reputation as a hub for ethical, applied AI.
“Massachusetts recognizes how AI can solve business challenges and ultimately create new, good paying jobs statewide,” said Governor Maura Healey. "The MA AI Models Program is taking a laser-focused approach to specific industries that seek to improve pediatric health, strengthen coastal resilience and make our advanced manufacturers more competitive.”
“The AI revolution is here and Massachusetts is leading the charge in a way that is responsible and effective,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “The MA AI Models program drives business growth and innovation while upholding strong ethical standards. It’s about creating jobs and boosting our economic output.”
The MA AI Models Innovation Challenge launched in February 2025 with the goal of positioning Massachusetts as a global leader in applied AI innovation. The program targets domain-specific use cases, which are more energy-efficient and easier to commercialize than today’s generalized AI systems.
“By investing in practical, domain-specific AI models, we are accelerating innovation and growth in industries that matter most to Massachusetts,” said Economic Development Secretary Eric Paley. “Our efforts to increase sustainability and advance next-generation manufacturing will position our state as the best place to build and deploy cutting-edge AI solutions.”
“We see the MA AI Models Innovation Challenge as more than a funding opportunity — it’s a unique investment in research and development, the broader AI ecosystem and in the state’s future as a leader in responsible and applied AI,” said Massachusetts AI Hub Director Sabrina Mansur. “These awards prove that when we pair Massachusetts’ research excellence with real industry problems, we unlock solutions with the potential to scale globally."
MassTech received 61 submissions from universities and nonprofits statewide, demonstrating strong demand for applied-AI research and development support. MassTech selected awardees through a highly competitive process and evaluated submissions on impact potential as well as ethical and responsible AI practices. The projects are geographically diverse, spanning Central Massachusetts, Greater Boston, north of Boston, the Southcoast and Western Mass, advancing AI capacity across the state.
Below are the MA AI Model Innovation program winners:
- Boston Children’s Hospital - $200,014: Boston Children’s Hospital is developing a multi-modal AI system to improve care for children with Crohn’s disease. The system aims to reduce hospitalizations, improve outcomes, and ease the clinician burden for over 2,000 patients.
- EarthDNA - $1,000,000: EarthDNA’s S.H.O.E.S. project will deploy three AI models to target footwear waste in Massachusetts by facilitating “circular” re-use, resale and recycling pathways. The system aims to reduce footwear waste by 30 percent and create more than 200 green jobs by 2030.
- Northeastern University - $504,043: Northeastern University seeks to develop an AI-powered platform designed to deliver real-time, AI-powered risk assessments to coastal communities. Pilot deployments are planned for Marshfield and Woods Hole.
- Northeastern University - $16,500: Northeastern University aims to accelerate and improve early-stage product development in industries like footwear, fashion and manufacturing using an open-source, generative design model.
- Western New England University - $500,000: Western New England University aims to develop a multi-sensor AI system for real-time defect detection in metal additive manufacturing.
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) Chemical Engineering Department - $381,931: WPI is developing an AI-driven digital twin to transform mixed waste into renewable fuel via hydrothermal liquefaction.
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) Manipulation & Environmental Robotics Lab - $279,731: WPI is developing automated dataset generation to boost AI accuracy in industrial recycling and improve material recovery facility.
Earlier this year, Governor Healey announced major efforts to grow the artificial intelligence ecosystem through the Massachusetts AI Hub, including hiring Sabrina Mansur as director and providing $31 million to expand sustainable high-performance computing necessary for AI innovation.
About the Massachusetts AI Hub
The Massachusetts AI Hub is the state's central nexus for AI innovation and governance across industry, academia and the private sector. The AI Hub, supported by the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, harnesses state resources and the top-tier talent to drive transformative change in the sector. With a focus on responsible AI development at its core, the AI Hub is committed to supporting Massachusetts as a global leader in fostering a collaborative, inclusive and ethical AI ecosystem.
For more information, visit masstech.org/aihub.
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