Technology & Innovation Grants

Arts Projects: Media Arts is sponsored by National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). NEA Arts Projects: Media Arts grants support projects that contribute to a healthy and thriving arts ecosystem that is responsive to the dynamic, diverse, and evolving nature of the film and media arts field. This includes support for artists and audiences to engage with a spectrum of media arts genres and practices such as traditional or expanded forms of storytelling; visual expression; and performance using film, cinema, audio, broadcast, new media, creative code, and related formats at the intersection of arts and technology.

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program for CHIPS for America – CHIPS Metrology seeks applications from eligible applicants to explore the technical merit or feasibility of an innovative idea or technology with the aim of developing a viable product or service that will be introduced to the commercial microelectronics marketplace. This NOFO contains multiple topics on research projects for critically needed measurement services, tools, and instrumentation; innovative manufacturing metrologies; novel assurance and provenance technologies and advanced metrology research and development (R&D) testbeds to help secure U.S. leadership in the global semiconductor industry. Funding Opportunity Number: 2024-SBIR-CHIPS-01. Assistance Listing: 11.042,11.620. Funding Instrument: CA. Category: ST.

To increase research capacity for NF, the NFRP is offering the NFRA. The intent of the NFRA is to provide a framework of intensive mentoring and iterative guidance with proposed research, national networking, collaborations, and a peer group of junior faculty (Scholars). The NFRP NFRA will bring together established NF investigators (one Director and one Deputy Director) and early-career independent investigators (Scholars) and their Career Guides to develop successful, highly productive NF scientists and clinicians that will conduct research with the aim of lessening the clinical impact of NF1, NF2, and schwannomatosis. The NFRA is a multi-institutional interactive virtual academy platform designed to offer support to NFRA Scholars with the goal to advance innovative, high impact NF research through a collaborative and career development environment.The functioning NFRA will consist of Scholars and their Career Guides (mentors) from different institutions, and an Academy Director and Deputy Director (see Figure 1 below). The Academy Director and Deputy Director will catalyze the growth and professional development of the Scholars in collaboration with their Career Guides, assess the progress of the Scholars, and facilitate communication and collaboration among all Academy members. The Career Guide is not required to be at the same institution as the Scholar; however, if the (primary) Career Guide is from a different institution, a secondary Career Guide at the Scholar’s institution is needed. The NFRA will afford Scholars opportunities to operate in a collegial, highly dynamic, and cutting-edge center to move early-career investigators towards positions as leaders in NF conducting impactful research.During this first phase of the academy, the NFRP is offering the FY24 NFRALA funding opportunity to solicit applications for an Academy Director and Deputy Director to lead the NFRA. The Academy Director and Deputy Director (referred to as Academy Leadership) must be established NF researchers and can be at different institutions. The Academy Leadership must demonstrate a strong record of mentoring and training early-career independent investigators, a commitment to leadership, the ability to articulate methods toward research collaborations, and the ability to objectively assess the progress of all Scholars in the NFRA. An objective of the NFRA leadership team is to establish the Academy structure in its first year and in subsequent years, conduct oversight of this activity. Other objectives will include execution of research that will engage NFRA FY25 Scholars (including subsequent-year Scholars), develop tools for Scholars to enable success, and provide opportunities to broaden their knowledge in NF disorders. The leadership team will identify and offer opportunities to network with other NFRP FY25 Early Investigator Research Award recipients (and subsequent year awardees) and NFRP FY25 New Investigator Award – Early-Stage Investigator (NIA – ESI) Award recipients (and subsequent year awardees). In the second stage of the academy, the NFRP anticipates release of funding opportunities for the Scholars who will conduct their research under the guidance of the NFRA leadership team. Funding Opportunity Number: HT942524NFRPNFRALA. Assistance Listing: 12.420. Funding Instrument: CA,G. Category: ST. Award Amount: $1.5M total program funding.

NOAA SBIR Program is sponsored by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) SBIR. The NOAA SBIR Program funds small businesses developing innovative products with strong commercial potential that align with NOAA's mission areas. High priority is given to proposals integrating NOAA Science & Technology Focus Areas like Uncrewed Systems, Artificial Intelligence, Data and Cloud Computing. The FY25 Phase I solicitation is closed.

The J.M.K. Innovation Prize is a grant from The J.M. Kaplan Fund recognizing early-stage social entrepreneurs working on environmental, heritage, and social justice challenges. The prize rewards individuals and organizations demonstrating innovative, entrepreneurial approaches to enduring problems. Applications for the 2025 prize were accepted February 11 through April 25, 2025 via an online portal. Spanish-language applications are welcomed, and a Spanish application form is available for download. The prize is biennial and open to a broad range of applicants across the United States working on forward-thinking solutions at the intersection of environment, community, and cultural heritage.

Human-Computer Interaction (HC) is sponsored by National Science Foundation (NSF) SBIR. This topic supports entrepreneurs and startups in the early stages of developing innovative and novel Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) solutions. It focuses on designing computing systems that amplify human physical, cognitive, and social capabilities and translating research insights into commercializable applications. Technologies in this portfolio include multimedia and multimodal interfaces, brain-computer interfaces, intelligent and interactive user interfaces, affective computing, human state estimation, and methods for interaction with artificial intelligence.

AI in Agriculture Research Program is sponsored by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). This program funds research projects applying AI to improve agricultural practices, examining the contributions and impact of AI on agricultural market structure, international trade, production and resource use, consumer behavior, food safety, food waste and loss, farm labor, and policy. It also supports efforts to create and examine innovative approaches for advancing economic opportunities for rural entrepreneurs and communities.

The UKRI Policy Fellowships 2025, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council, offer 18-month placements for academics to co-design research with UK government and What Works Network host organizations. Awards range from £180,000 to £280,000 and support three fellowship tracks: core policy fellows, Natural Hazards and Resilience policy fellows, and What Works Innovation fellows. Applicants must hold a PhD or equivalent research experience, be based at a UKRI-eligible UK organization, and possess relevant subject matter or methodological expertise. Government-hosted positions target early to mid-career academics, while What Works fellowships welcome all career stages. Fellows work directly with policymakers to bridge academic research and policy development on pressing national and global challenges. The application deadline is July 15, 2025.

Educational Technology, Media, and Materials for Individuals with Disabilities Program (Stepping-up Technology Implementation competition) is sponsored by U.S. Department of Education. This program aims to improve results for students with disabilities by promoting the development, demonstration, and use of technology; supporting educational activities of value in the classroom for students with disabilities; providing captioning and video description; and ens…

Educational Technology, Media, and Materials for Individuals With Disabilities Program-Stepping-Up Technology Implementation is sponsored by Department of Education. This program aims to improve results for children with disabilities by promoting the development, demonstration, and use of technology; supporting educational activities designed to be of educational value in the classroom; providing support for captioning and video description appropriate for classroom use; and providing accessible educational materials in a timely manner. This competition includes an absolute priority to develop and refine products and resources that incorporate principles of universal design for learning to support full implementation and use of the technology tool or approach to improve reading outcomes for children with disabilities.

Canada AI Compute Access Fund is a grant from Innovation Science and Economic Development Canada that funds small and medium-sized Canadian businesses accessing cloud-based AI compute resources to scale and commercialize innovative AI projects. The fund covers two-thirds of eligible costs for Canadian cloud-based compute and half of eligible costs for non-Canadian compute services. Individual project awards range from $100,000 to $5,000,000 in compute costs, from a total fund of up to $300 million. Eligible applicants are Canadian-registered, for-profit companies with fewer than 500 full-time employees engaged in AI research and development with a clear commercialization pathway.

Next Generation 911 (NG911) Grant Program is a grant from the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services that funds county-level Public Safety Answering Points in upgrading to Next Generation 911 technologies, infrastructure, and operational systems. The program supports the transition from legacy 911 systems to modern IP-based NG911 networks, improving emergency communications statewide. Funding amounts are allocated by county formula. Eligible applicants are county-level primary Public Safety Answering Points and backup centers in New York State. The application deadline for the SFY2025 cycle was March 25, 2026.

The FY2026 Department of Defense Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (MURI) program supports basic research in science and engineering at U.S. institutions of higher education, with emphasis on multidisciplinary research where more than one traditional discipline interacts. The Army, Navy, and Air Force basic research offices are seeking applications across 22 topic areas including artificial intelligence and autonomy, information sensing and processing, and systems manipulation. MURI grants typically provide $1.25 million to $1.5 million per year for three years with option to extend two additional years. Approximately $170 million in total funding is available annually across all topics. The program is administered through the Office of Naval Research (ONR), Army Research Office (ARO), and Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR).

Innovate UK's Sovereign AI Proof of Concept programme funds proof of concept demonstrators of AI technologies with state-of-the-art performance across five strategic themes: fundamental AI research, materials discovery, biosciences and health, defense and national security, and AI-aided chip/hardware design. Individual project grants range from £50,000 to £120,000 (approximately USD $63,500-$152,400) from a total allocation of at least £1.6 million. Projects must be 1-3 months in duration, starting by January 2026 and completing by March 2026. The programme supports feasibility studies and industrial research, with funding covering up to 70% of costs for micro/small businesses, 60% for medium, and 50% for large organizations. Literature review studies and projects unable to scale are excluded.

NVIDIA Graduate Fellowship Program is a grant from NVIDIA providing up to $60,000 per award to PhD students conducting research that advances accelerated computing and its applications. Now in its 25th year, the program invites nominations from doctoral students pushing the boundaries of artificial intelligence, robotics, autonomous vehicles, and related fields. Recipients receive not only research funding but also access to NVIDIA technology, products, and engineering expertise, along with a mandatory in-person summer internship. Students are nominated by their faculty advisors and selected based on academic achievement and research area alignment.

The Ernest Rutherford Fellowship 2025 from the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) supports early career researchers pursuing independent research within STFC's core science programme. Fellowships last up to five years and are funded at 80% of full economic cost, with the host organization covering the remainder. Applicants must hold a PhD or equivalent experience, demonstrate clear leadership potential, and be hosted by an eligible UK research organization with an STFC ERF quota. Candidates currently holding tenured academic positions at lecturer level are not eligible. Each host department has a strict application limit, so prospective fellows should contact their proposed department well ahead of the October 2025 deadline to confirm accommodation within the quota.

Smart Health and Biomedical Research in the Era of Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Data Science (SCH) is sponsored by NSF CISE. Supports the development of transformative high-risk, high-reward advances in computer and information science, engineering, mathematics, statistics, behavioral and/or cognitive research to address pressing questions in the biomedical and public health communities.

Mathematical Biology Program is a grant from NSF that funds research in applied and computational mathematics with relevance to the biological and life sciences. The program supports projects across all areas of mathematical sciences that demonstrate strong integration between mathematics and biology. Successful proposals must show mathematical innovation, biological relevance and significance, and rigorous interdisciplinary methods. Projects may include development of new mathematical theories, methodologies, and computational tools aimed at advancing the life sciences. Eligible applicants are typically academic researchers and institutions. Award amounts and deadlines vary by submission cycle.

Innovation Grant is a grant from the Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation that funds nonprofit organizations pursuing unique, high-impact projects that improve health and wellness in Arizona communities. This two-year award supports original initiatives with measurable real-world impact, including programs serving underserved and uninsured populations through oral health education, disease prevention, and nutritional access. Projects must demonstrate the potential to make a meaningful difference in the community and stand apart from conventional approaches. Eligible applicants are Arizona-based nonprofit organizations. Awards total $100,000 per recipient over two years. The 2026 application cycle closed October 16, 2025, with recipients notified in late 2025 and funding made available shortly after.

Sui Foundation Grants is sponsored by Sui Foundation. The Sui Foundation offers targeted grant opportunities for startups, developers, and research teams building innovative solutions on the Sui blockchain. Funding is provided through open Requests for Proposals (RFPs) addressing specific ecosystem needs, from developer tools and scalability solutions to DeFi, gaming, and infrastructure enhancements.

Ignite Wisconsin is a grant from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) that funds regional consortiums working to grow startup ecosystems and entrepreneurial activity across Wisconsin. The program invests in collaborative efforts to build robust innovation infrastructure, support early-stage companies, and strengthen regional networks of investors, mentors, and entrepreneurs. Past awards include $950,000 to the Wisconsin Frontier Technology Consortium. Eligible applicants are regional consortiums focused on expanding startup ecosystems throughout the state. The most recent application deadline was October 31, 2025. Check the WEDC website for information on future solicitation cycles and eligibility requirements for Ignite Wisconsin funding.

EADH Small Grants 2025-2026 is sponsored by European Association for Digital Humanities (EADH). EADH Small Grants 2025-2026 is a grant from the European Association for Digital Humanities (EADH) that funds initiatives consistent with EADH's mission to promote digital humanities education and research through computational methods in the humanities and related disciplines.

The K-5 STEM Grant SFY26 is a grant from the Nevada Department of Education that funds high-quality, evidence-based STEM programs in Nevada public and charter elementary schools. Two award tiers are available: a Classroom Award of up to $2,000 for individual classroom teachers and a School Award of up to $25,000 per school. Funds may be used to purchase STEM equipment, technology, instructional kits, curriculum, and professional development directly tied to STEM instruction. Eligible applicants are Nevada public or charter elementary schools and their classroom teachers. The grant prioritizes expanding STEM access for traditionally underserved student populations and aims to increase STEM instruction to three or more hours per week. Projects must launch within 30 days of funding and sustain beyond the grant year.

AI Research Collaboration Grant is sponsored by Microsoft Research. This program invites proposals from faculty, PhD students, and postdocs for open research collaborations with Microsoft Research on problems that advance scientific understanding, drive innovation, and deliver societal benefit in AI, science, and human-AI collaboration. Awards are unrestricted gifts to the scholar's institution and include travel funding for in-person collaboration.

Excellence Artist Fund Residency - Innovation in the Arts is sponsored by University of Wyoming Department of Theatre & Dance. The Excellence Artist Fund Residency - Innovation in the Arts is a grant from the University of Wyoming Department of Theatre & Dance that funds visiting creative artists, writers, and scholarly programs in the development and presentation of innovative new work.

The Biomedical Catalyst – Industry-led R&D (Small Projects) is a grant from Innovate UK (part of UKRI) that funds the development of innovative solutions to health and healthcare challenges. The programme supports small-scale industry-led R&D projects and is open to both single applicants and collaborative teams. Eligible applicants are UK-registered micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). A total of up to £25 million is available across the competition, with applications closing on 10 December 2025. To lead or work alone on a project, organisations must hold UK SME status and register through the Innovation Funding Service.

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs (USDA NIFA) is sponsored by USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). The USDA SBIR and STTR programs offer competitively awarded grants to qualified small businesses for high-quality research related to important scientific problems and opportunities in agriculture that could lead to significant public benefits.

Developer Grants is sponsored by Circle. Circle's Developer Grant initiative supports projects leveraging USDC to create practical solutions. While the 2025 applications are closed for reimagining, they will place greater emphasis on Arc-specific grants and evaluate projects based on alignment with Circle products, team strength, innovation, and impact on the USDC network in 2026.

HBCU Faculty Mini-Grants is a grant from the HBCU Making and Innovation Initiative that funds faculty at Historically Black Colleges and Universities to advance institutional capacity in innovation, making, entrepreneurship, and invention. Supported by the National Science Foundation and sponsored by VentureWell, the program selects two HBCU faculty per cycle for awards of $5,000 each. Funds may be used for travel to innovation-related conferences, student or faculty professional development, or other innovation projects. Eligible applicants must be current faculty or project staff at an accredited HBCU or Predominantly Black Institution; early-career scientists are especially encouraged to apply. The grant period runs January 16 to May 30, 2026.

Washington State Microenterprise Association (WSMA) Grant is sponsored by Washington State Department of Commerce. This grant is intended to support small and micro businesses with training, technical assistance, and financing tools to help them grow, stimulate innovation, create social inclusion, and advance sustainability principles. Priority is given to specific sectors including Clean Materials & Clean Tech and Small Scale Manufacturing.