Youngstown Innovation Hub Calls for White Papers for Tech Development

YOUNGSTOWN, OH — The Youngstown Innovation Hub for Aerospace & Defense, managed by the National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM), is seeking technical White Papers in response to a project call for Technology Development. The aim is to advance the maturation and commercialization of innovative technologies for aerospace and defense manufacturing within Northeast Ohio, with special consideration for the Lake to River region encompassing Ashtabula, Trumbull, Mahoning, and Columbiana counties.

Funded through the Youngstown Innovation Hub, the project call makes $300,000 of total awards available to support regional innovation, accelerate the transition of technologies into market-ready solutions, and foster collaboration among industry, academia, and government stakeholders. The proposed scope of work must be performed within the defined geographic area and demonstrate a clear benefit to the region. Up to three awards are anticipated.

The Technology Development project call targets the persistent “valley of death” in U.S. manufacturing, where promising technologies often fail to reach production readiness.

Megan Malara, Ph.D., Director of the Youngstown Innovation Hub, emphasized the crucial role of this project in propelling the Hub’s mission to strengthen regional innovation. “By developing state-of-the-art technologies into market-ready solutions for aerospace and defense, the intention is to boost U.S. manufacturing competitiveness and preparedness, fostering sustainable economic growth locally and safeguarding national security.”

White Papers submitted must demonstrate viable technical approaches across a critical technology area, commercialization and market transition, and strengthen the regional innovation industrial ecosystem.

Project call timeline:

  • Launch: September 23, 2026
  • Questions Due from Proposers about Scope or Approach: October 2, 2026
  • Submission Deadline by 5 p.m. EST: October 30, 2026
  • Anticipated Awards Announcement: November 20, 2026

Proposers submitting White Papers are advised to refer to the full details and guidelines HERE.

Youngstown Innovation Hub

The Youngstown, Ohio-based Innovation Hub for Aerospace & Defense serves as a national proving ground for advanced and additive manufacturing, accelerating the transformation of ideas from concept to market with speed and scale. The Hub brings together cutting-edge facilities, world-class talent, and strategic partnerships to revolutionize American manufacturing. Its mission is to strengthen U.S. aerospace and defense supply chains, advance next-generation workforce development, and pioneer innovative manufacturing solutions with global impact. Managed by the National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM), in collaboration with America Makes, the Youngstown Innovation Hub is more than a regional resource — it’s a catalyst for national security, global competitiveness, and long-term economic growth.

About NCDMM

NCDMM delivers innovative and collaborative manufacturing solutions that enhance our nation’s workforce and economic competitiveness. NCDMM has extensive knowledge and depth in commercial and defense manufacturing areas to continually innovate, improve, and advance manufacturing technologies and methodologies. Our experienced team specializes in identifying the needs, players, technologies, and processes to attain optimal solutions for our customers. We connect the dots. That’s the NCDMM methodology. With seven locations nationwide, NCDMM manages America Makes, Youngstown Innovation Hub, and El Paso Makes and is a subsidiary of the Manufacturing Technology Deployment Group, Inc. (MTDG). Learn more at ncdmm.org.