Business Grants
Browse business grants, innovation vouchers, SME programs, export support, local incentives, and growth funding.
Business grants can support innovation, expansion, export development, workforce training, energy upgrades, resilience, digital adoption, equipment, research partnerships, and local economic development. Some are run by national agencies. Others are state, city, regional, university, chamber, or foundation programs with narrower eligibility.
The first filter is business fit. Check company size, revenue, age, location, ownership, sector, legal structure, and whether nonprofits or sole proprietors are allowed. Then check cost fit. A program may fund consulting but not equipment, prototypes but not marketing, training but not salaries, or reimbursement only after approved expenses are paid.
Many business grants require more administrative discipline than founders expect. You may need tax clearance, financial statements, quotes, project budgets, insurance, procurement documentation, job-creation estimates, environmental information, or proof that the business is in good standing. A simple grant can become slow if those records are scattered.
Use this page to find current business funding leads, then verify the official rules and prepare a practical application. Funders tend to favor businesses that can explain the opportunity, the barrier, the funded activity, and the measurable result in plain language.
Current matching opportunities
These listings are limited to open, rolling, or upcoming opportunities that match this guide. Check the official source before applying.
Ocean Innovation Challenge 5th Call for Proposals
UNDP’s fifth Ocean Innovation Challenge supports implementation-ready private-sector solutions for marine pollution, coastal and marine ecosystem restoration, and the sustainable blue economy.
UNDP Ocean Innovation Challenge Call 5
Funding and implementation support for private-sector innovations addressing marine pollution, ecosystem restoration, or sustainable blue-economy challenges in five eligible countries.
NIH SBIR/STTR Omnibus Solicitation
NIH Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) opportunities for early-stage biomedical commercialization.
Morgan Stanley Small Business Academy
Morgan Stanley educational program for small businesses, with a 12-week virtual learning experience, yearlong mentorship, and a potential capital pitch for graduates.
Darcy Business Freedom Grant 2026: $1,000 for Business Founders
Darcy’s Business is accepting applications for its 2026 Business Freedom Grant. The $1,000 award supports aspiring founders and small-business owners; the final deadline is December 31, 2026.
Conquer Cancer International Innovation Grant 2027: Up to $20,000 for Cancer Control Research in Low- and Middle-Income Countries
The 2027 International Innovation Grant from Conquer Cancer, the ASCO Foundation, offers up to $20,000 for a one-year research project addressing cancer control in a low- or middle-income country. The letter-of-intent deadline was 27 August 2026; only invited applicants may submit full proposals by 10 December 2026.
Commercialising Knowledge Assets Fund (CKAF) Winter 2026
The CKAF Winter 2026 competition is open to eligible UK government research organisations seeking £50,000 to £250,000 to move a pre-existing public sector Knowledge Asset towards commercialisation. Apply through Innovate UK's Innovation Funding Service by 1 December 2026 at 11:00am UK time.
Canada Foundation for Innovation — Innovation Fund 2027: Research Infrastructure Grants
Open 2027 Canada Foundation for Innovation competition for institution-led research infrastructure projects. CFI will invest up to CAD $325 million in eligible infrastructure costs and provide up to $97.5 million in associated operating support. The full proposal deadline is February 2, 2027; only institutions that submitted a notice of intent by September 29, 2026 may submit a proposal.
Finep Brazil 2026 Non-Refundable Innovation Calls for Companies and Startups
Finep’s 2026 Mais Inovação Brasil – Rodada 2 is a portfolio of separate non-refundable calls. Transformação Mineral remains open to eligible company projects with a required ICT partner.
Battery Innovation Concept Development Round 3: Up to £4 Million for UK Battery Manufacturing Innovation
Open Innovate UK competition for collaborative concept-development R&D that strengthens UK battery cell, module, pack, and battery management system manufacturing. Project grant requests must be £500,000 to £4 million, within a competition fund of up to £25 million.
ATI Strategic Programme Outline Stage (November 2026): Apply by 13 November
The announced ATI Strategic Programme November 2026 Outline Stage opens on 2 November at 9am and closes on 13 November at 11am UK time. No funding is awarded at Outline Stage; successful applicants may be invited to a Full Stage Application with grants of up to £18 million, subject to programme limits. A 2.5% industrial contribution to ATI applies to industry participants receiving a grant.
NIH SBIR/STTR Commercialization Readiness Pilot (CRP) Program (Parent SB1 Clinical Trial Optional): PAR-27-098
A late-stage small business commercialization bridge for U.S. NIH SBIR or STTR Phase II projects that need outsourced technical development, clinical studies, or market-readiness work before full commercialization.
Application guidance
Use the listings above as a shortlist, then build your application from the official instructions. Save the source page, deadline, eligibility rules, required documents, contact details, and any program-specific scoring criteria. If the deadline is rolling, apply early enough for review queues and budget limits. If the deadline is fixed, work backward from the closing date and leave time for recommendations, institutional approvals, financial documents, and portal errors.
Popular funding types
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Business Grants FAQ
Are business grants only for startups?
No. Some support new companies, while others target established small businesses, exporters, manufacturers, local employers, or sector-specific firms.
Can grants cover payroll?
Sometimes, but many programs restrict payroll, owner compensation, overhead, capital purchases, or past expenses. Check eligible costs carefully.
What makes a business grant application stronger?
Clear use of funds, local or sector fit, credible financials, measurable outcomes, and proof that the business can complete the proposed work.