DNR AAM Statewide Mobility Challenges

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) AAM Statewide Mobility Challenge, offered through the Michigan Office of Future Mobility and Electrification (OFME), seeks transformative Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) proposals to modernize state aerial operations. DNR aims to replace non-NDAA drones and incorporate vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) fixed-wing mapping capacity to expand safe, compliant aerial coverage for wildfire, forest health, and large-scale mapping operations, delivering faster, higher-quality data while reducing risk to department personnel.

Applicants are not required to be Michigan-based, but their proposals must demonstrate a clear plan for business growth in Michigan. Consistent with federal directives prioritizing domestic drone manufacturing, priority consideration will be given to proposals demonstrating a commitment to building and expanding drone production within Michigan. Applicants must collaborate with the DNR, provide a firm matching funds commitment, and show that their team has the capacity and technical experience required for execution.

Eligible projects must demonstrably leverage AAM technologies (including unmanned aircraft systems, advanced sensors, AI-powered analytics, and innovative aviation platforms) and integrate seamlessly with existing DNR technologies and infrastructure. Projects must provide quantifiable direct economic benefits to Michigan, such as job creation or cost savings, feature a deployment plan compliant with all applicable federal, state, and local aviation regulations, and exhibit strong potential for long-term sustainability and scalability beyond the pilot phase.

The application period opened on October 27, 2025, following information sessions held on November 6 and 10, 2025. Applications closed on December 5, 2025, with company award notifications scheduled for January 26, 2026. Proposals are scored by a review committee on a best-value basis evaluating project description, alignment with state goals, team capacity, post-pilot financial sustainability, interoperability, matching funds commitment, proposal quality, and cost.