Grants for Startups

Last updated October 24, 2026

Grantable tracks 533 active grants for startups in its free grants database, drawn from federal, state and foundation sources and updated daily. 12 of them have a verified open deadline or accept applications on a rolling basis. 261 list an award amount, with a median of $50K.

Grants tracked
533
from 350 funders
Median award
$50K
middle half $10K–$250K
Total listed funding
$101.4M
across 261 grants that list an amount
Rolling deadlines
60
25 with a published date

On this page: Federal State Foundation · Updated daily

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★Grant
Innovation Award (Student Competition)

Charlotte Regional Realtor Assoc Housing Opportunity Foundation · Foundation

~November · $1K – $10K

Student competition challenging college students to develop forward-thinking solutions to affordable housing challenges across the region.

Nexus Technology Cup

Research Park Corporation · Foundation

~December · $150K

A statewide technology competition designed to surface and support real technical talent in Louisiana.

Susan G. Baker and Elizabeth Boyle Innovation Fund

National Alliance to End Homelessness · Foundation

~December · Up to $25K

For any inquiries or assistance regarding the application process, contact bbfund@naeh.org

Capital Readiness Program

University City Science Center · Foundation

~December · Varies

Preparing startups for their first sophisticated fundraise.

Seed Grant

Charter Fund Inc D/B/a Charter School Growth Fund · Foundation

~December · $250K – $750K

Support educational leaders and entrepreneurs who want to grow high-performing public charter schools by serving 250-1,000 additional students in the next two years. Review application process at: chartergrowthfund.org/apply-for-funding/

Master Class Grant

Spruce Root Inc · Foundation

~January · Up to $5K

A transformative three-day workshop for experienced mid-stage entrepreneurs to develop growth plans, explore internal limiting beliefs, learn latest research, and develop tools for planning through a shifting economy.

SME Additive Manufacturing Awards

Society of Manufacturing Engineers · Foundation

~February · Varies

These awards honor innovators, creators, and trailblazers shaping the future of additive manufacturing.

Yvette's Local Entrepreneur Scholarship Fund

Dane Buy Local Foundation Inc · Foundation

~March · Varies

The Dane Buy Local Foundation provides scholarships to support new high school graduates pursuing business, marketing, and entrepreneurship education, particularly those who might not otherwise be supported.

Imagine H2O Accelerator

Imagine H2O Inc · Foundation

~March · Varies

Imagine H2O's Accelerator is the leading entrepreneurial development program for water sector founders. A zero-equity accelerator that selects, accelerates, and deploys water technology solutions globally.

CAVE Scholarship Program

Colo Assn for Viticulture & Enology · Foundation

~March · Varies

CAVE annually awards numerous scholarships to current members seeking to further their education in enology, viticulture, or curriculum with an emphasis in the wine and grape industry.

Lewis Cenker Scholarship

Home Builders Association of Georgia · Foundation

~March · Varies

The Lewis Cenker Scholarship Fund is a non-profit organization created in 1977 by the Home Builders Association of Georgia in honor of Lewis B. Cenker, an outstanding Georgian and national industry leader who served as President of NAHB in…

NIH Small Business Technology Transfer Grant (Parent STTR [R41/R42] Clinical Trial Optional)

National Institutes of Health · Federal

Apr 5, 2027 · Varies

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), including the following NIH Institutes and Centers (ICs): NEI, NHLBI, NHGRI, NIA, NIAAA, NIAID, NIAMS, NIBIB, NICHD, NIDCD, NIDCR, NIDDK, NIDA, NIEHS, NIGMS, NIMH, NINDS, NINR, NIMHD, NLM, NCCIH…

Quantum Technologies Award

EDD Grants · State

Apr 30, 2027 · Up to $20M

Award program funding early-stage companies in quantum technologies. Up to $200,000 available.

TMRF Environmental Award

Northstar Community Foundation · Foundation

~April · $25K – $100K

Business Attraction Prime Sites

Commerce And Econ Opp · State

Jun 30, 2027 · $25M – $2.5B

SBIR/STTR Match Program

Commerce And Econ Opp · State

Jun 30, 2027 · $100 – $25M

Fond du Lac Area Foundation Impact Grants

Fond Du Lac Area Foundation · Foundation

~July · Up to $100K

The Fond du Lac Area Foundation offers Impact Grants aimed at enhancing the quality of life in the community.

ITServe Fastest Growing Company Award

Itserve Alliance Inc · Foundation

~November · Varies

ITServe Alliance recognizes and honors companies that demonstrate exceptional growth and success. The award celebrates outstanding performance and remarkable growth across three revenue-based categories.

SBIR/STTR Commercialization Readiness Pilot (CRP) Program (Parent SB1 Clinical Trial Optional)

National Institutes of Health · Federal

Apr 5, 2029 · Varies

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), including the following NIH Institutes and Centers (ICs): OD, NEI, NHLBI, NHGRI, NIAAA, NIAID, NIAMS, NIBIB, NICHD, NIDCD, NIDCR, NIDDK, NIEHS, NIGMS, NIMH, NINDS, NCATS, NCI, NIA, intends to…

NIH Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase IIB Strategic Breakthrough Award (Parent [R44] Clinical Trial Optional)

National Institutes of Health · Federal

Apr 5, 2029 · Varies

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), including the following NIH Institutes and Centers (ICs): NEI, NHLBI, NHGRI, NIA, NIAAA, NIBIB, NICHD, NIDA, NIDCD, NIDDK, NIEHS, NIMH, NINR, NIMHD, NLM, NCCIH, NCI and ORWH, along with the Centers…

National Science Foundation National Innovation Corps Teams (NSF National I-CorpsTM Teams) Program

U.S. National Science Foundation · Federal

Open · From $50K

The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) continues to develop and nurture a national innovation ecosystem that guides the output of scientific discoveries closer to the development of technologies, products, processes, and services that…

Imagine H2O Asia Accelerator

Imagine H2O Inc · Foundation

Not published · Varies

The Asia-Pacific expansion of Imagine H2O's flagship accelerator program, supporting water technology startups across Southeast Asia. Launched in 2019, now in expanded second year and beyond.

Yukon Support Economic Growth and Diversification Fund: Tier 2 Grant

Government of Yukon · Foundation

Not published · $30K – $100K

The Yukon Support Economic Growth and Diversification Fund - Tier 2 aims to foster economic development by funding projects that enhance business innovation, sustainability, and planning.

Ben Franklin Technology Partners Challenge Grant

Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development · Foundation

Not published · Varies

The Ben Franklin Technology Partners Challenge Grant, offered by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, aims to support businesses with funding for technology commercialization and alternative energy projects.

Showing 1–24 of 529

Grants for startups by the numbers

How deadlines work

Rolling or ongoing
60 11%
Upcoming date published
25 5%
Stated cycle, no date yet
144 27%
No deadline published
304 57%

When dated deadlines fall

Share of the 25 grants with a published date, by quarter.

24%
Jan–Mar
28%
Apr–Jun
4%
Jul–Sep
44%
Oct–Dec

Funders with the most active grants for startups

  1. Michigan State University Research Foundation 8 active
  2. National Institutes of Health 8 active
  3. The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) 7 active
  4. Aim-Hi Accelerator Fund Inc 6 active
  5. Clemson University Research Foundation 6 active
  6. Tennessee Technology Development Corp 6 active

350 funders have at least one active grant in this category.

Source: Grantable's grants database, compiled from funder websites, Grants.gov and state grant portals. Figures cover all 533 active grants for startups (with a deadline today or later, or none published) as of October 24, 2026, and refresh daily. Award amounts are each grant's listed maximum; 16 listed amounts over $10M are left out, since they're usually program-wide totals rather than single awards.

About grants for startups

Startup grants offer non-dilutive funding — capital without giving up equity or taking on debt. Government programs like SBIR/STTR provide significant R&D funding, while foundations and innovation competitions target early-stage companies in specific sectors. For founders who want to grow without dilution, grants are a powerful funding tool.

Grants for Startups by state

Browse grants for startups available to organizations in 13 states.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much money do grants for startups award?

Of the 533 grants for startups Grantable lists as of October 24, 2026, 261 publish an award amount. The median listed award is $50K, and the middle half fall between $10K and $250K. The largest is $7M. Amounts are each grant's stated maximum, so a typical award can be smaller.

Which funders offer the most grants for startups?

By number of active listings, the leading funders are Michigan State University Research Foundation (8), National Institutes of Health (8), The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) (7), Aim-Hi Accelerator Fund Inc (6), and Clemson University Research Foundation (6). In all, 350 funders have at least one active grant in this category.

When are grants for startups due?

Of 533 grants listed, 60 accept applications on a rolling basis, 25 have a published upcoming deadline, 144 run on a stated cycle (such as annual or quarterly) without a published date, and 304 don't publish a deadline, so check the funder's site. Among dated deadlines, 44% fall in October–December.

What is the SBIR program?

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program is the largest source of early-stage technology funding in the US. Eleven federal agencies award over $4 billion annually to small businesses for R&D. Phase I grants typically provide $50K-$275K for feasibility studies, with Phase II awards up to $1M+ for full development.

Can tech startups get grants?

Yes. Beyond SBIR/STTR, tech startups can access NSF I-Corps grants, DOE ARPA-E funding, DARPA programs, state innovation funds, and private foundation grants. Many accelerators and pitch competitions also provide grant-style non-dilutive funding.

How long does it take to get a startup grant?

Timelines vary significantly. State grants may fund within 1-3 months. SBIR Phase I typically takes 6-9 months from submission to award. Foundation grants average 3-6 months. Plan to have 6-12 months of runway while waiting for grant funding to come through.

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