Grants and fellowships
18 programmes. Of these, 14 say they take no equity, and 7 have applications open.
A two-year, equity-free fellowship for first-time hard tech founders in the US. Each fellow gets a US$100k living stipend a year, and each project gets US$100k in R&D support.
US$100k grant · equity-free
A monthly grant for women-owned businesses in the US and Canada. Three US$15,000 grants are awarded each month, and three monthly winners get a further US$75,000 at year end.
US$15k grant · equity-free
A non-profit startup competition in St. Louis that awards US$75,000 equity-free grants, plus relocation money, to early-stage startups that base themselves in St. Louis for at least a year.
US$75k grant · equity-free
The US defence department's SBIR and STTR programmes for US small businesses, run through annual Broad Agency Announcements and Commercial Solutions Openings with topics released monthly.
Funding not published · equity-free
Department of Energy grants for US small businesses working on energy and science technologies, in phases from feasibility (Phase I) to development and prototyping (Phase II).
Funding not published · equity-free
An 18-month, full-time fellowship for founders of early-stage social impact organisations anywhere in the world, with a US$100,000 stipend and leadership support.
US$100k grant · equity not published
The Environmental Protection Agency's annual SBIR solicitation for US small businesses developing and commercialising environmental technologies.
Funding not published · equity-free
An annual grant for emerging silver jewellery artists. Applicants answer 15 business questions and submit a design portfolio; the winner receives US$7,500 in start-up capital.
US$7.5k grant · equity-free
Latitud's programme for Latin American pre-founders: eight weeks online and a week of investor meetings in San Francisco, with a US$62,500 check for 2.5% on a SAFE and eight founders per cohort.
US$62.5k invested · 2.5% equity
NASA's small business research funding for US companies. Since 2026, SBIR, STTR and SBIR Ignite subtopics are released in appendices to a single announcement through the year.
Funding not published · equity-free
A US$50,000 grant for early-stage North Carolina startups with a proven concept and a clear path to scale, awarded with mentorship through a competitive cycle.
US$50k grant · equity-free
Federal grants for US small businesses developing health and life science products. Applications are due on three standard dates a year under NIH's SBIR and STTR funding opportunities.
Funding not published · equity-free
The SBIR programme of the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, funding US small businesses through one funding cycle a year.
Funding not published · equity-free
Federal grants for US small businesses commercialising deep technology. NSF invests up to US$2 million per company across phases and takes no equity; applicants start with a Project Pitch.
Funding not published · equity-free
A two-year, US$250,000 grant for people aged 22 or under who skip or stop out of college to build something new. The foundation takes no equity.
US$250k grant · equity-free
A fellowship for US women entrepreneurs running revenue-generating businesses. About 160 fellows a year get workshops, expert coaching, a peer community and a US$2,000 education grant.
US$2k grant · equity not published
USDA grants for US small businesses turning agricultural science into products with commercial or societal benefit. Agriculture-related manufacturing and renewable energy projects are encouraged.
Funding not published · equity-free
A one-week programme that brings ten technical builders together with founders of large tech companies, with an optional US$10,000 investment. Support continues after the week.
US$10k invested · equity not published
We list 18 programmes: Activate Fellowship, Amber Grant, Arch Grants Startup Competition, DoD SBIR/STTR, DOE SBIR/STTR, Echoing Green Fellowship and 12 more. Each listing links to the programme's own pages and shows the day we last verified it.
14 of the 18 say they take no equity: Activate Fellowship, Amber Grant, Arch Grants Startup Competition, DoD SBIR/STTR, DOE SBIR/STTR and 9 more. 3 do not publish their equity terms.
Applications are open for Activate Fellowship (closes 30 October 2026), Amber Grant (closes 31 October 2026), NSF SBIR/STTR (America's Seed Fund) (closes 4 November 2026), EPA SBIR (closes 8 November 2026), Tory Burch Foundation Fellows Program (closes 17 November 2026) and 2 more. The deadlines page lists every date we track.
Alexandria (1), Bethesda (1), New York (1), North Carolina (1), Prescott (1), San Francisco (1) and 3 more. Delivery varies: each listing says whether the programme runs in person, remotely or both.
Send us your dates and terms and we will publish them with a link to your own pages.