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64 PCB007 MAGAZINE I OCTOBER 2025 F E AT U R E A RT I C L E by N y ro n Ro u s e, G l o b a l E l e ct ro n i c s As s o c i a t i o n Becoming Grant-ready in the Private Sector C ompanies in the electronics industry are ex- pected to innovate faster, modernize opera- tions, deliver resilient supply chains, and compete on a global stage. It's a high bar to meet for manufactur- ers facing tightening margins, talent shortages, and evolving economic and policy conditions, but oppor- tunities remain for those prepared to take action. That is why external funding, once considered the domain of universities, nonprofits, and government contractors, is now firmly on the table for the private sector. While the grant landscape is shifting, invest- ment in manufacturing, training, and innovation is still flowing. What is new is the degree to which our industry is being invited to participate. The exciting reality is that companies and programs that once thought of grants as out of reach now have real opportunities to pursue. Some leaders still worry that the process is too complicated, the odds too low, or the paperwork too burdensome. These concerns are understand- able, but they no longer reflect the full picture. If your company or program is growing, hiring, devel- oping technology, or expanding capabilities, you are already doing the things external funding was designed to support. Being grant-ready is about preparation. It means knowing your goals, being able to describe the broader benefit of your work, and positioning yourself to act when the right oppor- tunity aligns with your direction. At its core, grant readiness is not about becoming an expert in grants. It's about mindset, and seeing external funding not as a distraction but as a catalyst that helps you achieve more, faster. Organizations that are grant-ready treat funding as a tool. They clarify their capital and talent needs. They gather basic materials such as capability statements and project ideas. They learn how their priorities con- nect to national, philanthropic, or industry goals. Most importantly, they position themselves so that when the right opportunity arrives, they can move forward with confidence. Opportunities are arriving. Across the country, new investments are being made in workforce pipe- lines, advanced manufacturing, and supply chain resilience. These programs are not abstract. They are paying for new equipment, funding apprentice- ships, and supporting collaboration between com- panies, schools, and communities. Increasingly, they are designed with applicants like you in mind. Knowing that funding exists is only one part of the story. The other part is knowing how to access it. This is where many organizations hesitate. They may not know who should lead the effort internally. They may feel unsure about the requirements or intimidated by the process. But these challenges are starting points, not roadblocks, and help is available. At the Global Electronics Association, we are working to make funding more accessible. We pro- vide workshops and briefings to make the pro- cess clear. We create templates that make it eas- ier to share your story in ways that resonate with