Last verified October 24, 2026 · How we verify
Grants for technology businesses
As of October 2026, a technology business can be matched against 289 programs: 49 programs for technology businesses, 157 general programs open to any industry, and 83 federal grants via Grants.gov. Named below: 10 state programs built around federal SBIR and STTR awards and 1 innovation voucher program.
Product development. Hiring. R&D. Infrastructure. There are grants that fund those line items for tech companies, and most founders never hear about them. Fair warning: many of the largest awards are competitive R&D programs (SBIR, STTR) with specialized requirements. The money is real, but the range is wide. That is why the table below shows each program's actual scope.
Technology grants by the numbers
- Who funds them
- 33 funders: Arkansas Economic Development Commission (2), Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (2), Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (2), NC IDEA Foundation (2), and 29 more.
- Award size
- Most awards $6K to $250K.
- Timing
- 30 open now, 22 of them rolling. Soonest deadline: Innovation Voucher Program, Nov 6, 2026. 8 between cycles; Innovation Matching Grants Program (NYSTAR) lists its next window as “~April 2027 (stated: 2nd Wednesday in April)”.
38 grants a technology business can act on
Every program below names technology among the industries it funds. Some are R&D-focused with competitive review processes. Others fund general operations, hiring, or infrastructure for startups and software companies. The 'Built for' column tells you whether a program is narrowed to a few industries or open to any. Each links to the funder's official page.
| Program | Amount | Status | Built for | Official link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Unlocking New Levels of Output and Capacity for Key Subsurface Resources SBIR/STTR (UNLOCK SBIR/STTR) Advanced Research Projects Agency Energy Verified Oct 24, 2026 | $323,090 to $4,630,944 | Closes Nov 20, 2026 | Technology | Official page ↗ |
Build Our Future Grant Program Maryland Economic Development Corporation (MEDCO) Verified Oct 16, 2026 | Up to $2,000,000 per entity per fiscal year (matching funds of 200%-400% of the grant required) | Rolling, apply anytime | Technology | Official page ↗ |
SBIR/STTR (America's Seed Fund) U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) with 11 participating federal agencies Verified Oct 18, 2026 | Phase I $50,000 - $275,000; Phase II $750,000 - $1.8 million (shown on page) | Rolling, apply anytime | Technology, Healthcare, Manufacturing | Official page ↗ |
SBIR/STTR Grant Program Nebraska Department of Economic Development Verified Oct 21, 2026 | Phase 0: up to $5,000; Phase 1: up to $150,000 or 65% of federal grant, whichever is less; Phase 2: up to $300,000 or 65% of federal grant, whichever is less | Closes Jun 30, 2027 | Technology | Official page ↗ |
SBIR/STTR Match Program Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Verified Oct 10, 2026 | $1 - $250,000 | Closes Jun 30, 2027 | Technology | Official page ↗ |
NM Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Matching Grant New Mexico Economic Development Department Verified Oct 21, 2026 | up to $200,000 | Closes Nov 17, 2026 | Technology | Official page ↗ |
SBIR Matching Grant Program Wyoming Business Council Verified Oct 24, 2026 | Up to $100,000 (Phase I match) or $200,000 (Phase II match) | Rolling, apply anytime | Technology | Official page ↗ |
EPA SBIR Phase I Solicitation (2026) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Verified Oct 15, 2026 | Up to $100,000 for 6 months (Phase I contract) | Closes Nov 8, 2026 | Technology, Manufacturing | Official page ↗ |
MTI Business Innovation Funding Maine Technology Institute Verified Oct 24, 2026 | Up to $100,000 | Rolling, apply anytime | Technology and 3 other industries | Official page ↗ |
SBIR Matching Grant Arkansas Economic Development Commission Verified Oct 19, 2026 | up to $50,000 for Phase I awards and $100,000 for Phase II awards | Rolling, apply anytime | Technology | Official page ↗ |
America's Seed Fund Iowa Economic Development Authority Verified Oct 19, 2026 | $50,000 on top of a federal SBIR/STTR Phase I award, and $25,000 when you submit a Phase II proposal ($75,000 total per company), plus 100% of third-party proposal assistance | Rolling, apply anytime | Technology and 7 other industries | Official page ↗ |
Elevate Vermont Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development Verified Oct 19, 2026 | up to $50,000 | Rolling, apply anytime | Technology | Official page ↗ |
VIPC Lab-to-Launch Grant Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation Verified Oct 16, 2026 | Up to $50,000 | Rolling, apply anytime | Technology | Official page ↗ |
Montana SBIR/STTR Matching Funds Program Montana Department of Commerce Verified Oct 21, 2026 | up to $30,000 per phase | Rolling, apply anytime | Technology | Official page ↗ |
Kansas SBIR/STTR Matching Kansas Department of Commerce Verified Oct 24, 2026 | up to $25,000 in matching funds for Phase I; up to $3,000 for Phase 0 | Closes Nov 7, 2026 | Technology | Official page ↗ |
One North Carolina Small Business Program: SBIR/STTR Phase I Incentive Funds North Carolina Department of Commerce (Office of Science, Technology and Innovation) Verified Oct 15, 2026 | Up to $12,000 reimbursement of Phase I SBIR/STTR proposal costs | Closes Jun 30, 2027 | Technology, Manufacturing, Healthcare | Official page ↗ |
STAC Internship Program Rhode Island Commerce Verified Oct 21, 2026 | up to $6,500 | Rolling, apply anytime | Technology, Healthcare | Official page ↗ |
SBIR/STTR Application Support Grant Business Oregon Verified Oct 24, 2026 | Up to $5,000 for grant writing, technical review, consulting, legal/accounting services, or market research | Rolling, apply anytime | Technology, Manufacturing, Healthcare | Official page ↗ |
Technology Transfer Assistance Grant Arkansas Economic Development Commission Verified Oct 23, 2026 | Up to $3,750 from AEDC on up to $5,000 of project costs (AEDC pays the first $2,500, then splits the next $2,500 50:50 with you) | Rolling, apply anytime | Technology | Official page ↗ |
Georgia FAST Grant (Phase 0) University of Georgia Innovation Gateway (SBA FAST program) Verified Oct 15, 2026 | Up to $2,450 towards the upfront cost of employing a grant writing consultant to assist with their SBIR/STTR application | Rolling, apply anytime | Technology, Manufacturing, Healthcare | Official page ↗ |
Ben Franklin Technology Partners Challenge Grant Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development Verified Oct 24, 2026 | A percentage of the BFTDA appropriation in the Commonwealth's annual budget | Rolling, apply anytime | Technology | Official page ↗ |
Innovation Voucher Program Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Verified Oct 18, 2026 | Varies | Closes Nov 6, 2026 | Technology and 4 other industries | Official page ↗ |
Technology Funds North Carolina Department of Commerce Verified Oct 10, 2026 | Varies | Rolling, apply anytime | Technology, Healthcare | Official page ↗ |
Texas Semiconductor Innovation Fund Texas Governor's Office of Economic Development and Tourism Verified Oct 21, 2026 | $948 million in total appropriations | Rolling, apply anytime | Technology, Manufacturing | Official page ↗ |
Partnership for Workforce Quality (PWQ) Maryland Department of Commerce Verified Oct 17, 2026 | up to $200,000 per year | Rolling, apply anytime | Manufacturing, Technology | Official page ↗ |
JobsOhio Small Business Grant JobsOhio Verified Oct 18, 2026 | Up to $50,000 | Rolling, apply anytime | Technology and 5 other industries | Official page ↗ |
Next Level Jobs Employer Training Grant (Indiana) Indiana Department of Workforce Development Verified Oct 18, 2026 | Up to $5,000 per trained employee kept six months, up to $50,000 per employer | Rolling, apply anytime | Technology and 6 other industries | Official page ↗ |
WEDnetPA Training Reimbursement Workforce and Economic Development Network of Pennsylvania (WEDnetPA) Verified Oct 17, 2026 | Up to $2,000 per Eligible Employee (not to exceed $50,000 per company) | Rolling, apply anytime | Manufacturing, Technology, Agriculture | Official page ↗ |
Advanced Industries Export Grant Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade Verified Oct 21, 2026 | Up to $15,000 per business | Rolling, apply anytime | Manufacturing, Technology | Official page ↗ |
Job Training Incentive Program New Mexico Economic Development Department Verified Oct 17, 2026 | 50-90% of employee wages | Rolling, apply anytime | Manufacturing, Technology, Food & Restaurant | Official page ↗ |
Advanced Industries Early-Stage Capital and Retention Grant Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade Verified Oct 21, 2026 | Up to $250,000 per project | Between cycles Usually opens around July 2027, based on past rounds | Technology | Official page ↗ |
Innovation Matching Grants Program (NYSTAR) Empire State Development Verified Oct 21, 2026 | Up to $100,000 (Phase I); Up to $200,000 (Phase II) | Opens April 2027 | Technology | Official page ↗ |
Maryland Community Investment Venture (MCIV) Fund State of Maryland, Office of the Commissioner of Financial Regulation Verified Oct 10, 2026 | up to $100,000 | Opens Fall 2026 | Technology | Official page ↗ |
Catalyst MassCEC Verified Oct 22, 2026 | up to $75,000 | Between cycles Usually opens around Winter 2027, based on past rounds | Technology | Official page ↗ |
Innovate ND North Dakota Department of Commerce Verified Oct 21, 2026 | up to $50,000 | Reopens, date not announced yet | Technology | Official page ↗ |
NC IDEA SEED NC IDEA Foundation Verified Oct 14, 2026 | $50K | Between cycles Usually opens around Spring 2027, based on past rounds | Technology, Manufacturing, Services | Official page ↗ |
NC IDEA MICRO NC IDEA Foundation Verified Oct 14, 2026 | $10,000 | Between cycles Usually opens around February 2027, based on past rounds | Technology and 3 other industries | Official page ↗ |
Maryland Technology Internship Program (MTIP) State of Maryland (administered by UMBC) Verified Oct 19, 2026 | Varies | Opens Spring 2027 | Technology | Official page ↗ |
We track 11 more programs for technology businesses that are not verified closely enough to name here yet. The quiz still checks your business against them.
Technology grants open right now
- Unlocking New Levels of Output and Capacity for Key Subsurface Resources SBIR/STTR (UNLOCK SBIR/STTR): $323,090 to $4,630,944, closes Nov 20, 2026
- Build Our Future Grant Program: Up to $2,000,000 per entity per fiscal year (matching funds of 200%-400% of the grant required), rolling, apply anytime
- SBIR/STTR (America's Seed Fund): Phase I $50,000 - $275,000; Phase II $750,000 - $1.8 million (shown on page), rolling, apply anytime
- SBIR/STTR Grant Program: Phase 0: up to $5,000; Phase 1: up to $150,000 or 65% of federal grant, whichever is less; Phase 2: up to $300,000 or 65% of federal grant, whichever is less, closes Jun 30, 2027
- SBIR/STTR Match Program: $1 - $250,000, closes Jun 30, 2027
- NM Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Matching Grant: up to $200,000, closes Nov 17, 2026
- SBIR Matching Grant Program: Up to $100,000 (Phase I match) or $200,000 (Phase II match), rolling, apply anytime
- EPA SBIR Phase I Solicitation (2026): Up to $100,000 for 6 months (Phase I contract), closes Nov 8, 2026
- MTI Business Innovation Funding: Up to $100,000, rolling, apply anytime
- SBIR Matching Grant: up to $50,000 for Phase I awards and $100,000 for Phase II awards, rolling, apply anytime
- America's Seed Fund: $50,000 on top of a federal SBIR/STTR Phase I award, and $25,000 when you submit a Phase II proposal ($75,000 total per company), plus 100% of third-party proposal assistance, rolling, apply anytime
- Elevate Vermont: up to $50,000, rolling, apply anytime
- VIPC Lab-to-Launch Grant: Up to $50,000, rolling, apply anytime
- Montana SBIR/STTR Matching Funds Program: up to $30,000 per phase, rolling, apply anytime
- Kansas SBIR/STTR Matching: up to $25,000 in matching funds for Phase I; up to $3,000 for Phase 0, closes Nov 7, 2026
- One North Carolina Small Business Program: SBIR/STTR Phase I Incentive Funds: Up to $12,000 reimbursement of Phase I SBIR/STTR proposal costs, closes Jun 30, 2027
- STAC Internship Program: up to $6,500, rolling, apply anytime
- SBIR/STTR Application Support Grant: Up to $5,000 for grant writing, technical review, consulting, legal/accounting services, or market research, rolling, apply anytime
- Technology Transfer Assistance Grant: Up to $3,750 from AEDC on up to $5,000 of project costs (AEDC pays the first $2,500, then splits the next $2,500 50:50 with you), rolling, apply anytime
- Georgia FAST Grant (Phase 0): Up to $2,450 towards the upfront cost of employing a grant writing consultant to assist with their SBIR/STTR application, rolling, apply anytime
- Ben Franklin Technology Partners Challenge Grant: A percentage of the BFTDA appropriation in the Commonwealth's annual budget, rolling, apply anytime
- Innovation Voucher Program: Varies, closes Nov 6, 2026
- Technology Funds: Varies, rolling, apply anytime
- Texas Semiconductor Innovation Fund: $948 million in total appropriations, rolling, apply anytime
- Partnership for Workforce Quality (PWQ): up to $200,000 per year, rolling, apply anytime
- JobsOhio Small Business Grant: Up to $50,000, rolling, apply anytime
- Next Level Jobs Employer Training Grant (Indiana): Up to $5,000 per trained employee kept six months, up to $50,000 per employer, rolling, apply anytime
- WEDnetPA Training Reimbursement: Up to $2,000 per Eligible Employee (not to exceed $50,000 per company), rolling, apply anytime
- Advanced Industries Export Grant: Up to $15,000 per business, rolling, apply anytime
- Job Training Incentive Program: 50-90% of employee wages, rolling, apply anytime
Technology grants, program by program
Build Our Future Grant Program: Up to $2,000,000 per entity per fiscal year (matching funds of 200%-400% of the grant required)
Run by Maryland Economic Development Corporation (MEDCO). Technology. Verified against the funder's own page Oct 16, 2026. Official page ↗
SBIR/STTR Grant Program (Nebraska Department of Economic Development): Phase 0: up to $5,000; Phase 1: up to $150,000 or 65% of federal grant, whichever is less; Phase 2: up to $300,000 or 65% of federal grant, whichever is less, closes Jun 30, 2027
Technology. Verified against the funder's own page Oct 21, 2026. Official page ↗
SBIR/STTR Match Program (Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity): $1 - $250,000, closes Jun 30, 2027
Technology. Verified against the funder's own page Oct 10, 2026. Official page ↗
NM Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Matching Grant (New Mexico Economic Development Department): up to $200,000, closes Nov 17, 2026
Technology. Verified against the funder's own page Oct 21, 2026. Official page ↗
SBIR Matching Grant Program (Wyoming Business Council): Up to $100,000 (Phase I match) or $200,000 (Phase II match)
Technology. Verified against the funder's own page Oct 24, 2026. Official page ↗
EPA SBIR Phase I Solicitation (2026) (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency): Up to $100,000 for 6 months (Phase I contract), closes Nov 8, 2026
Technology, Manufacturing. Verified against the funder's own page Oct 15, 2026. Official page ↗
MTI Business Innovation Funding (Maine Technology Institute): Up to $100,000
Technology and 3 other industries. Verified against the funder's own page Oct 24, 2026. Official page ↗
SBIR Matching Grant (Arkansas Economic Development Commission): up to $50,000 for Phase I awards and $100,000 for Phase II awards
Technology. Verified against the funder's own page Oct 19, 2026. Official page ↗
America's Seed Fund (Iowa Economic Development Authority): $50,000 on top of a federal SBIR/STTR Phase I award, and $25,000 when you submit a Phase II proposal ($75,000 total per company), plus 100% of third-party proposal assistance
Technology and 7 other industries. Verified against the funder's own page Oct 19, 2026. Official page ↗
Elevate Vermont (Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development): up to $50,000
Technology. Verified against the funder's own page Oct 19, 2026. Official page ↗
VIPC Lab-to-Launch Grant (Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation): Up to $50,000
Technology. Verified against the funder's own page Oct 16, 2026. Official page ↗
Montana SBIR/STTR Matching Funds Program (Montana Department of Commerce): up to $30,000 per phase
Technology. Verified against the funder's own page Oct 21, 2026. Official page ↗
Kansas SBIR/STTR Matching (Kansas Department of Commerce): up to $25,000 in matching funds for Phase I; up to $3,000 for Phase 0, closes Nov 7, 2026
Technology. Verified against the funder's own page Oct 24, 2026. Official page ↗
One North Carolina Small Business Program: SBIR/STTR Phase I Incentive Funds: Up to $12,000 reimbursement of Phase I SBIR/STTR proposal costs, closes Jun 30, 2027
Run by North Carolina Department of Commerce (Office of Science, Technology and Innovation). Technology, Manufacturing, Healthcare. Verified against the funder's own page Oct 15, 2026. Official page ↗
STAC Internship Program (Rhode Island Commerce): up to $6,500
Technology, Healthcare. Verified against the funder's own page Oct 21, 2026. Official page ↗
SBIR/STTR Application Support Grant (Business Oregon): Up to $5,000 for grant writing, technical review, consulting, legal/accounting services, or market research
Technology, Manufacturing, Healthcare. Verified against the funder's own page Oct 24, 2026. Official page ↗
Technology Transfer Assistance Grant (Arkansas Economic Development Commission): Up to $3,750 from AEDC on up to $5,000 of project costs (AEDC pays the first $2,500, then splits the next $2,500 50:50 with you)
Technology. Verified against the funder's own page Oct 23, 2026. Official page ↗
Georgia FAST Grant (Phase 0): Up to $2,450 towards the upfront cost of employing a grant writing consultant to assist with their SBIR/STTR application
Run by University of Georgia Innovation Gateway (SBA FAST program). Technology, Manufacturing, Healthcare. Verified against the funder's own page Oct 15, 2026. Official page ↗
Ben Franklin Technology Partners Challenge Grant (Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development): A percentage of the BFTDA appropriation in the Commonwealth's annual budget
Technology. Verified against the funder's own page Oct 24, 2026. Official page ↗
Innovation Voucher Program (Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity): Varies, closes Nov 6, 2026
Technology and 4 other industries. Verified against the funder's own page Oct 18, 2026. Official page ↗
Technology Funds (North Carolina Department of Commerce): Varies
Technology, Healthcare. Verified against the funder's own page Oct 10, 2026. Official page ↗
Texas Semiconductor Innovation Fund (Texas Governor's Office of Economic Development and Tourism): $948 million in total appropriations
Technology, Manufacturing. Verified against the funder's own page Oct 21, 2026. Official page ↗
Partnership for Workforce Quality (PWQ) (Maryland Department of Commerce): up to $200,000 per year
Manufacturing, Technology. Verified against the funder's own page Oct 17, 2026. Official page ↗
JobsOhio Small Business Grant: Up to $50,000
Technology and 5 other industries. Verified against the funder's own page Oct 18, 2026. Official page ↗
Next Level Jobs Employer Training Grant (Indiana) (Indiana Department of Workforce Development): Up to $5,000 per trained employee kept six months, up to $50,000 per employer
Technology and 6 other industries. Verified against the funder's own page Oct 18, 2026. Official page ↗
WEDnetPA Training Reimbursement: Up to $2,000 per Eligible Employee (not to exceed $50,000 per company)
Run by Workforce and Economic Development Network of Pennsylvania (WEDnetPA). Manufacturing, Technology, Agriculture. Verified against the funder's own page Oct 17, 2026. Official page ↗
Advanced Industries Export Grant (Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade): Up to $15,000 per business
Manufacturing, Technology. Verified against the funder's own page Oct 21, 2026. Official page ↗
Job Training Incentive Program (New Mexico Economic Development Department): 50-90% of employee wages
Manufacturing, Technology, Food & Restaurant. Verified against the funder's own page Oct 17, 2026. Official page ↗
Advanced Industries Early-Stage Capital and Retention Grant (Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade): Up to $250,000 per project, usually opens around July 2027, based on past rounds
Technology. Verified against the funder's own page Oct 21, 2026. Official page ↗
Innovation Matching Grants Program (NYSTAR) (Empire State Development): Up to $100,000 (Phase I); Up to $200,000 (Phase II), next window April 2027
Technology. Verified against the funder's own page Oct 21, 2026. Official page ↗
Maryland Community Investment Venture (MCIV) Fund (State of Maryland, Office of the Commissioner of Financial Regulation): up to $100,000, next window Fall 2026
Technology. Verified against the funder's own page Oct 10, 2026. Official page ↗
Catalyst (MassCEC): up to $75,000, usually opens around Winter 2027, based on past rounds
Technology. Verified against the funder's own page Oct 22, 2026. Official page ↗
Innovate ND (North Dakota Department of Commerce): up to $50,000
Technology. Verified against the funder's own page Oct 21, 2026. Official page ↗
NC IDEA SEED (NC IDEA Foundation): $50K, usually opens around Spring 2027, based on past rounds
Technology, Manufacturing, Services. Verified against the funder's own page Oct 14, 2026. Official page ↗
NC IDEA MICRO (NC IDEA Foundation): $10,000, usually opens around February 2027, based on past rounds
Technology and 3 other industries. Verified against the funder's own page Oct 14, 2026. Official page ↗
Maryland Technology Internship Program (MTIP): Varies, next window Spring 2027
Run by State of Maryland (administered by UMBC). Technology. Verified against the funder's own page Oct 19, 2026. Official page ↗
Federal technology grants
Unlocking New Levels of Output and Capacity for Key Subsurface Resources SBIR/STTR (UNLOCK SBIR/STTR) (Advanced Research Projects Agency Energy): $323,090 to $4,630,944, closes Nov 20, 2026
Technology. Verified against the funder's own page Oct 24, 2026. Official page ↗
SBIR/STTR (America's Seed Fund): Phase I $50,000 - $275,000; Phase II $750,000 - $1.8 million (shown on page)
Run by U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) with 11 participating federal agencies. Technology, Healthcare, Manufacturing. Verified against the funder's own page Oct 18, 2026. Official page ↗
Past winners
What past NSF SBIR Phase I rounds looked like
Several state grants on this page match a federal SBIR award. You apply for NSF SBIR directly at seedfund.nsf.gov; it isn't one of the grants listed here. These are the agency's own numbers about its recent Phase I winners. They describe who won before, not who will win next.
| Phase I awards, fiscal 2025 | 146 (opens in a new tab)The middle fiscal 2025 award was $304,996.October 2024 to September 2025 · NSF award data ↗ (opens in a new tab) |
|---|---|
| Award size | Up to $305,000 (opens in a new tab)Current Phase I limit · America's Seed Fund (NSF) ↗ (opens in a new tab) |
| Program status | Relaunched in 2026 (opens in a new tab)NSF reopened SBIR after the Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act became law.Current NSF solicitation · NSF solicitation 26-510 ↗ (opens in a new tab) |
Who won
- Companies in 34 states and territories, led by California (32), Massachusetts (19) and Colorado (10) (Fiscal 2025, NSF award data ↗ (opens in a new tab))
- Biomedical engineering and diagnostics was the largest technology area, followed by advanced manufacturing (Fiscal 2025, NSF award data ↗ (opens in a new tab))
Checked against each source on October 9, 2026. Every number links to the page it came from.
Past winners
What past NIH SBIR Phase I rounds looked like
NIH funds health and life science companies through SBIR. You apply to NIH directly (seed.nih.gov explains how); it isn't one of the grants listed here. These are NIH's own numbers about its recent Phase I winners. They describe who won before, not who will win next.
| Phase I awards, fiscal 2025 | 349 (opens in a new tab)$123.1 million in total that year.Fiscal 2025, NIH Data Book table 215 · NIH Data Book ↗ (opens in a new tab) |
|---|---|
| Phase I budget guideline | $323,090 (opens in a new tab)For a project of 6 months to 2 years.Current NIH guidance · NIH SEED ↗ (opens in a new tab) |
| Program status | Renewed through September 30, 2031 (opens in a new tab)Reauthorized by a law signed April 13, 2026.2026 · NIH notice NOT-OD-26-090 ↗ (opens in a new tab) |
Who won
- Companies in 37 states and territories, led by California (81), Massachusetts (33) and New York (26) (Fiscal 2025, NIH Data Book table 216, NIH Data Book ↗ (opens in a new tab))
Checked against each source on October 9, 2026. Every number links to the page it came from.
Straight answers
Do I pay these back? How current is this list?
No. Grants are not loans. Each row shows the date we last checked it against the funder's own page. How we verify.
Are these grants only for technology businesses?
Some are specific to technology and a few related industries. Many are open to businesses in any industry, including yours. The “Built for” column on each row tells you which is which, so you are never applying for something you are not eligible for.
Are there grants for tech startups?
Yes, mostly for research and development. The SBA says it "does not provide grants for starting and expanding a business," but it points companies doing scientific research and development to the federal SBIR and STTR programs. SBIR.gov describes them as funding for "technology-focused entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses" to develop their ideas, and each participating federal agency runs its own program. SBIR.gov also notes that some states have matching programs to cover the cost of creating a proposal. On this page: SBIR/STTR Grant Program (NE), SBIR/STTR Match Program (IL), NM Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Matching Grant (NM) and 7 more. Whether a startup qualifies depends on each program's rules, so check the Built for column and the official page.
Do software companies qualify for technology grants?
Some do, when the project is research and development. SBIR.gov's basic SBIR and STTR eligibility list is about the company: a for-profit located in the U.S., with "fewer than 500 employees," owned and controlled by U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Each agency posts its own solicitations (with research topics), so the question is whether your software project fits one, and you need a Unique Entity ID (UEI) from SAM.gov to receive an award. State programs differ: some fund any technology company and others only certain industries. The Built for column on each row says which.
Some of these say "between cycles." What do I do right now?
Get ready before the window opens. Innovation Matching Grants Program (NYSTAR) lists its next window as “~April 2027 (stated: 2nd Wednesday in April)”; Maryland Community Investment Venture (MCIV) Fund as “Fall 2026”. The owners who win are the ones whose applications are ready the week a window opens, not the ones who find out it existed the week it closed.
A tech founder somewhere qualifies for one of these right now and does not know it.
This page lists what is available. It cannot read your business. The 3-minute quiz can. It matches what you build, your state, and how your company is owned against every program above and shows you where you stand.
See how many grants fit my business