Grants & funding
Active programs sorted by deadline. Apply only through official links — legitimate grants never charge a fee.
U.S. National Institutes of Health
NIH runs the largest civilian SBIR/STTR budget, funding early-stage biomedical companies through omnibus and targeted solicitations across its institutes.Beyond funding, NIH SEED o...
Phase I ~$314K; Phase II ~$2.1M (hard caps waivable for some topics) Startup United States
National Institute of Standards and Technology
The MEP National Network puts manufacturing experts in every state to help small and mid-size manufacturers improve processes, adopt technology, and strengthen supply chains at sub...
Subsidized consulting via state MEP centers (not direct cash grants) Existing United States
U.S. Department of Transportation
The DBE program requires states and transit agencies to set participation goals for disadvantaged businesses on federally funded highway, transit, and airport projects.For construc...
Access to federally funded transportation contracting goals Existing United States
WomensNet
WomensNet has awarded Amber Grants since 1998, honoring a young entrepreneur named Amber who died before realizing her business dream. Monthly $10,000 grants lead to year-end $25,0...
$10,000 monthly awards; $25,000 annual awards Startup United States
FedEx Corporation
FedEx has run its small-business grant competition since 2012, awarding cash and services to U.S. small businesses through public voting and judging rounds.Cycle timing, award amou...
Grants historically $20,000–$50,000 plus FedEx services (varies by cycle) Existing United States
Comcast Corporation
Comcast RISE awards packages combining cash grants, TV advertising, creative production, and technology makeovers to small businesses in selected cities each round.The media compon...
Grant packages: $5,000 cash plus media, creative production, and technology (varies by round) Existing United States
Verizon Communications
Verizon's Digital Ready platform provides free courses, coaching, and networking for small businesses, with periodic $10,000 grant rounds open to owners who complete qualifying lea...
$10,000 grants for eligible course completers (rounds vary) Existing United States
National Association for the Self-Employed
NASE has awarded Growth Grants to member micro-businesses since 2006, funding specific needs like equipment, marketing, and hiring — nearly $1 million granted to date.Membership is...
Up to $4,000 per award (quarterly) Existing United States
State of Texas — Office of the Governor
The Texas Enterprise Fund is one of the largest state "deal-closing" funds, awarding performance-based cash grants to companies choosing Texas for major expansions when actively co...
"Deal-closing" cash grants tied to job creation and capital investment Expansion Texas, TX
Empire State Development (New York)
Global NY combines New York's state export services with federal STEP funding to reimburse small businesses for trade-show participation, export marketing, and trade-mission travel...
Export-activity reimbursements commonly up to $10,000–$25,000 Existing New York, NY