Non-dilutive funding

Startup grants

54 government grants and non-dilutive funding programmes for startups — 50 of them fully equity-free — across the US, Canada, UK, Australia and the EU. Amounts, eligibility, and how to apply for each.

Equity-free only

54 programmes

GrantEquity-free
SBIR/STTR – America’s Seed Fund
U.S. federal agencies coordinated via SBA
Flagship U.S. non-dilutive R&D funding programmes that provide equity-free capital to small businesses to develop innovative technologies and move them toward commercialization.
Typical funding
Phase I: about $50,000–$275,000; Phase II: about $400,000–$1.8M, with many agencies now allowed up to about $323,000 (Phase I) and $2.15M (Phase II) without waivers.
View details →
GrantEquity-free
NSF SBIR Phase I (America’s Seed Fund at NSF)
National Science Foundation (NSF)
NSF’s SBIR/STTR Phase I programme funds high‑risk, high‑impact technology startups to develop proof‑of‑concept and validate commercial potential.
Typical funding
Approximately $50,000–$305,000 per Phase I award, depending on topic and year.
View details →
GrantEquity-free
NSF National I‑Corps Teams
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Seven‑week commercialization bootcamp that provides up to $50,000 for teams to conduct intensive customer discovery around a research‑based innovation.
Typical funding
Up to $50,000 per team (includes stipends, travel and programme participation costs).
View details →
GrantEquity-free
DOE SBIR/STTR – Genesis Mission & General Calls
U.S. Department of Energy – Office of Technology Commercialization
DOE’s SBIR/STTR calls fund small businesses developing energy and related technologies, with phased awards to prove feasibility and move toward commercialization.
Typical funding
Phase I and Phase II awards collectively span tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars per project, with FY26 Phase I Genesis Mission planned to support ~40 awards across four topic areas.
View details →
GrantEquity-free
NIH/CDC/FDA SBIR & STTR Parent Grants
U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), CDC and FDA
Health and life‑science focused SBIR/STTR grants offering non‑dilutive funding to small businesses for early‑stage R&D in medical and health innovations.
Typical funding
Award sizes vary by institute and call; multiple parent SBIR/STTR opportunities run on standard due dates three times a year.
View details →
GrantEquity-free
ARPA‑E Transformational Energy Grants
U.S. Department of Energy – ARPA‑E
High‑risk, high‑reward energy innovation grants targeting transformational technologies that are often too early for private investment.
Typical funding
Average ARPA‑E award size reported around $2M per project.
View details →
GrantEquity-free
TEDCO Seed Funding – Maryland
Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO)
State‑level seed grants for Maryland technology startups, providing non‑dilutive capital to accelerate early development.
Typical funding
About $50,000–$100,000 per startup.
View details →
GrantEquity-free
Ohio Third Frontier Startup Grants
Ohio Third Frontier (State of Ohio)
Technology startup grants in Ohio offering significant non‑dilutive funding for commercialization projects.
Typical funding
Up to about $250,000 per startup project.
View details →
GrantEquity-free
MassVentures SBIR Matching Grants
MassVentures (Commonwealth of Massachusetts)
State matching grants that amplify federal SBIR funding for Massachusetts startups, helping bridge R&D to commercialization.
Typical funding
Varies; designed to match portions of federal SBIR awards.
View details →
Grant
Ben Franklin Technology Partners Early‑Stage Funding
Ben Franklin Technology Partners (Pennsylvania)
Pennsylvania programme providing early‑stage funding and support for tech startups, often combining grants and other instruments.
Typical funding
Programme ranges vary; often tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars per company.
View details →
GrantEquity-free
SBA Growth Accelerator Fund Competition (GAFC)
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
Cash awards for entrepreneur support organizations (accelerators, hubs, incubators) that build innovation-driven startup ecosystems in underserved regions, sectors and communities.
Typical funding
Stage One awards of about $75,000; Stage Two follow-on awards up to about $150,000 per ESO.
View details →
GrantEquity-free
Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF)
Government of Canada
Federal programme supporting innovation projects across sectors, from R&D and commercialization to business expansion and large investments.
Typical funding
Supports large projects; awards can reach multi‑million‑dollar levels depending on stream and project.
View details →
Tax incentiveEquity-free
Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED)
Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
Refundable and non‑refundable tax credits that reimburse a portion of eligible R&D expenditure for Canadian businesses.
Typical funding
Refunds can reach about 15% of qualifying R&D expenses for many businesses, with higher effective rates for some SMEs.
View details →
GrantEquity-free
Canada Job Grant (CJG)
Federal Government in partnership with provinces/territories
Training grant that helps employers fund employee skill development and workforce training.
Typical funding
Up to about $10,000 per employee for eligible training costs.
View details →
GrantEquity-free
CanExport SMEs
Global Affairs Canada
Export development grant helping Canadian SMEs fund international market entry activities such as market research, certification and marketing.
Typical funding
Provides up to $50,000, covering up to 50% of eligible project costs.
View details →
GrantEquity-free
Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP)
National Research Council of Canada (NRC)
One of Canada’s largest programmes providing non‑dilutive funding and advisory support for technology development and commercialization.
Typical funding
Common contribution ranges from about $50,000 to $500,000 for SMEs; larger projects may receive more.
View details →
GrantEquity-free
SmartStart Seed Fund (Ontario)
Ontario regional innovation centres / partners
Seed grant for Ontario‑based technology or innovation businesses to build and validate their products.
Typical funding
Up to $70,000 in seed funding, plus up to $7,500 for training and professional support.
View details →
GrantEquity-free
SD Tech Fund
Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC)
Clean technology fund supporting projects in clean energy, clean air, clean water and climate change.
Typical funding
Contributes about 33% of eligible project costs on a milestone basis.
View details →
Loan + support
Futurpreneur Canada Startup Financing
Futurpreneur Canada (with BDC partnerships)
Youth‑focused startup financing and mentorship that often complements grants and tax incentives.
Typical funding
Funding typically in the tens of thousands of dollars per founder; structured as loans.
View details →
Grant + contractsEquity-free
Innovative Solutions Canada (ISC)
Government of Canada
Challenge‑based federal programme that funds SMEs to develop solutions to government‑defined problems, often via phased grants and procurement contracts.
Typical funding
Up to about $1M mentioned for some SME opportunities in 2026.
View details →
PortalEquity-free
Government of Canada Grants & Funding Portal
Government of Canada
Central portal listing federal grants and funding programmes including IRAP, EMDG‑like schemes, regional funds and more.
Typical funding
Varies widely by programme; portal is an entry point rather than a single grant.
View details →
Grant + stipendEquity-free
Mitacs Accelerate
Mitacs (national non-profit)
Canada’s flagship applied-research internship programme that connects companies with graduate students and postdocs to run R&D projects, with matching funding and stipends.
Typical funding
Each 4–6 month internship unit provides about $15,000 in leveraged funding (typically $7,500 from the company and $7,500 from Mitacs), with a minimum $10,000 going to the intern stipend.
View details →
FellowshipEquity-free
Mitacs Accelerate Global Excellence Award
Mitacs
Time-limited postdoctoral fellowship bringing top international research talent to Canadian universities and industry partners for commercialization-focused projects.
Typical funding
Two-year award valued at about $170,000 per fellow, including $85,000 per year with at least $70,000 allocated to stipend and up to $15,000 for research and relocation.
View details →
GrantEquity-free
Innovate UK Smart Grants
Innovate UK / UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)
Flagship UK grant programme for game‑changing, commercially focused R&D projects across all sectors and technologies.
Typical funding
Common project awards range from around £100k to £2M, often covering a major portion of project costs.
View details →
GrantEquity-free
Advanced Connectivity Technologies: New Innovators
Innovate UK / Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
Grant competition for UK micro and small businesses to develop affordable, investable innovations in advanced connectivity technologies.
Typical funding
Share of a £500,000 competition fund, with individual awards typically in the £25,000–£50,000 range.
View details →
GrantEquity-free
Farming Innovation Programme – Feasibility Round
Innovate UK with Defra
Feasibility grants for UK businesses conducting innovative R&D projects in agriculture and farming.
Typical funding
Share of a £15M fund for feasibility projects; individual grants vary by project size.
View details →
GrantEquity-free
DRIVE35 Scale‑Up Fund
Innovate UK / UK Government
Large fund supporting scale‑up manufacturing facilities for zero‑emission vehicle technologies in the UK.
Typical funding
Individual awards can be large; competition total is up to £150M for manufacturing facilities.
View details →
GrantEquity-free
DRIVE35 Innovation Fund – Collaborate
Innovate UK
Late‑stage collaborative R&D grants supporting the UK’s transition to zero‑emission vehicles and net‑zero automotive industry.
Typical funding
Up to £20M total across collaborative R&D projects; per‑project funding depends on scope.
View details →
GrantEquity-free
Next Wave: Breakthrough Wave 1
Innovate UK
Industrial research grants exploring Createch innovation aligned with UK industrial strategy.
Typical funding
Share of a £10M fund; per‑project awards vary.
View details →
Grant + supportEquity-free
Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP)
Innovate UK / UKRI
Programme funding collaborations between UK businesses and academic institutions to deliver strategic innovation projects via embedded associates.
Typical funding
Funding often around £8,500 per month for project costs in some recent rounds.
View details →
GrantEquity-free
Women in Innovation Awards
Innovate UK
Grants and tailored business support for female innovators leading impactful innovation projects.
Typical funding
Up to about £75,000 per awardee.
View details →
GrantEquity-free
Innovate UK Business Connect – Challenge Grants
Innovate UK Business Connect
A wide set of challenge‑driven grants addressing specific industry problems across tech, defence, environment and research commercialisation.
Typical funding
Values vary; example AI Champions: Frontier AI Phase 1 grants up to £175,000 covering up to 70% of project costs.
View details →
PortalEquity-free
Innovate UK Innovation Competitions Portal
Innovate UK / UKRI
Central portal listing current Innovate UK grant competitions across sectors, including many startup‑relevant calls.
Typical funding
Per‑competition; portal aggregates multiple grant calls with varying funding levels.
View details →
GrantEquity-free
Export Market Development Grant (EMDG)
Austrade
Federal grant reimbursing eligible marketing and export promotion expenses for Australian businesses selling or planning to sell overseas.
Typical funding
For 2025–26: Tier 1 up to A$30,000, Tier 2 up to A$50,000 and Tier 3 up to A$80,000 depending on export readiness.
View details →
GrantEquity-free
Industry Growth Program (IGP)
Australian Government
Federal programme supporting early‑stage commercialisation and growth in priority sectors with grants from A$50k to multi‑million amounts.
Typical funding
Early‑stage commercialisation grants from about A$50k–A$250k; commercialisation and growth grants up to A$5M.
View details →
GrantEquity-free
Accelerating Commercialisation
Department of Industry (Entrepreneurs’ Programme)
Federal grant helping businesses commercialise novel products, processes and services, especially IP‑heavy ventures.
Typical funding
Grants of up to A$1M to support commercialisation activities.
View details →
GrantEquity-free
MVP Ventures Programme (NSW)
NSW Government
State grant supporting startups and innovative SMEs bridging the gap between early research and investment readiness.
Typical funding
Stream One: up to A$50,000 with minimum 50% co‑contribution; Stream Two (for women‑owned, regional and Indigenous businesses) up to A$75,000 with 25% co‑contribution.
View details →
GrantEquity-free
Ignite Ideas Fund
Advance Queensland (Queensland Government)
Commercialisation grant for Queensland businesses at MVP stage or beyond to fund innovative product and service rollout.
Typical funding
Tier 1: up to A$100,000 for projects up to 12 months; Tier 2: up to A$200,000 for projects up to 24 months.
View details →
GrantEquity-free
LaunchVic Startup Ecosystem Grants
LaunchVic (Victoria)
Victoria’s ecosystem funding programmes that support startups via targeted grants, accelerators and ecosystem initiatives.
Typical funding
Grant sizes vary by specific LaunchVic programme, typically tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars.
View details →
GrantEquity-free
State Innovation Funds (SA, WA, Tasmania)
Respective state governments
State‑specific innovation funds in South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania providing smaller but valuable grants to local startups.
Typical funding
Typically smaller grants relative to large federal programmes; exact amounts vary by state fund.
View details →
Tax incentiveEquity-free
R&D Tax Incentive
Australian Government
National tax offset for eligible R&D expenditure, allowing startups to recover a portion of development costs.
Typical funding
Example given: recovering about 43.5 cents in the dollar on development spend for some startups, depending on structure.
View details →
Grant + equityEquity-free
EIC Accelerator
European Innovation Council (EIC) under Horizon Europe
EU flagship funding for startups and SMEs developing and scaling innovations that can create new markets or disrupt existing ones, combining grants with optional equity.
Typical funding
Grants up to €2.5M, with equity investments from about €0.5M to €10M.
View details →
GrantEquity-free
EIC Pathfinder
European Innovation Council (EIC)
Grant programme for visionary, high‑risk research by multidisciplinary teams that can lead to future technology breakthroughs.
Typical funding
Grants up to around €4M per project, within a budget envelope of about €262M in 2026.
View details →
GrantEquity-free
EIC Transition
European Innovation Council (EIC)
Grants to turn research results from Pathfinder, ERC Proof of Concept, Horizon Europe Pillar 2 and Research Infrastructure projects into innovation opportunities.
Typical funding
Up to €2.5M per project within a budget of about €100M.
View details →
GrantEquity-free
EIC Advanced Innovation Challenges
European Innovation Council (EIC)
Challenge‑driven grants supporting high‑risk deep‑tech innovations in areas with strong research but limited commercial uptake.
Typical funding
Lump sum grants around €300,000 per project, with a total 2026 budget around €6M.
View details →
Equity
EIC STEP Scale Up
EIC Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP)
Equity instrument providing major investments to promising companies to help them secure larger private co‑investment rounds and become global leaders.
Typical funding
Investments between about €10M and €30M per company.
View details →
Equity
EIC STEP Scale Up Defence
European Innovation Council (EIC)
Direct equity financing to accelerate scale‑up of industrial capabilities in defence technologies, including air and missile defence, drones and counter‑drone solutions.
Typical funding
Up to €30M equity per company, within a budget of about €100M.
View details →
GrantEquity-free
EIC Pre‑Accelerator
European Innovation Council (EIC) with WIDERA
Grant scheme for early‑stage deep‑tech startups in widening countries to boost technology, business and investment readiness and fast‑track them to EIC Accelerator.
Typical funding
Individual grants between €500k and €1M in the 2027 call (earlier calls €300k–€500k).
View details →
GrantEquity-free
Eurostars (Calls 10 & 11)
EUREKA Network co‑funded by Horizon Europe
Transnational grant programme targeting R&D‑intensive SMEs collaborating across countries on innovation projects.
Typical funding
Funding varies per country; overall supports multi‑partner projects often in the €1M+ range.
View details →
PortalEquity-free
EIC Funding Opportunities Portal
European Innovation Council (EIC)
Central portal listing EIC Pathfinder, Transition, Advanced Innovation Challenges, Pre‑Accelerator, Accelerator and STEP Scale‑Up opportunities.
Typical funding
Programme‑specific; portal aggregates multiple grant and equity calls.
View details →
GrantEquity-free
Digital Europe Programme – AI Data Call (DIGITAL-2026-AI-DATA-10)
European Commission (HaDEA / DIGITAL Europe Programme)
EU grant call funding projects that improve availability, quality and use of AI-relevant data infrastructures under the Digital Europe Programme.
Typical funding
Total budgets per call vary; the AI/data calls contribute to multi-million-euro funding envelopes for data infrastructure and AI uptake.
View details →
GrantEquity-free
Digital Europe Programme – Advanced Digital Skills (DIGITAL-2026-SKILLS-10)
European Commission (HaDEA / DIGITAL Europe Programme)
Funding to strengthen advanced digital skills and accelerate adoption of digital technologies across EU Member States, including health and education sectors.
Typical funding
Recent announcement highlights a €12.5M budget for a set of advanced digital skills calls under DIGITAL-2026-SKILLS-10.
View details →
GrantEquity-free
Digital Europe Programme – Accelerating the Best Use of Technologies (DIGITAL-2026-BESTUSE-RSF-10)
European Commission (HaDEA / DIGITAL Europe Programme)
Grant call supporting projects that accelerate deployment and best use of digital technologies across priority sectors and regions.
Typical funding
Part of the same DIGITAL call window (April 21–October 1, 2026) with budget defined in the work programme for BESTUSE topics.
View details →
GrantEquity-free
Digital Europe Programme – Multi-Country Projects (DIGITAL-2026-BESTUSE-MCP-10)
European Commission (HaDEA / DIGITAL Europe Programme)
Funding call to support implementation of multi-country digital projects under the Digital Europe Programme, focusing on shared infrastructure and cross-border solutions.
Typical funding
Budget spans several multi-country projects; detailed caps appear in the call fiche for MCP topics.
View details →

SBIR/STTR – America’s Seed Fund

NSF SBIR Phase I (America’s Seed Fund at NSF)

NSF National I‑Corps Teams

DOE SBIR/STTR – Genesis Mission & General Calls

NIH/CDC/FDA SBIR & STTR Parent Grants

ARPA‑E Transformational Energy Grants

TEDCO Seed Funding – Maryland

Ohio Third Frontier Startup Grants

MassVentures SBIR Matching Grants

Ben Franklin Technology Partners Early‑Stage Funding

SBA Growth Accelerator Fund Competition (GAFC)

Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF)

Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED)

Canada Job Grant (CJG)

CanExport SMEs

Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP)

SmartStart Seed Fund (Ontario)

SD Tech Fund

Futurpreneur Canada Startup Financing

Innovative Solutions Canada (ISC)

Government of Canada Grants & Funding Portal

Mitacs Accelerate

Mitacs Accelerate Global Excellence Award

Innovate UK Smart Grants

Advanced Connectivity Technologies: New Innovators

Farming Innovation Programme – Feasibility Round

DRIVE35 Scale‑Up Fund

DRIVE35 Innovation Fund – Collaborate

Next Wave: Breakthrough Wave 1

Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP)

Women in Innovation Awards

Innovate UK Business Connect – Challenge Grants

Innovate UK Innovation Competitions Portal

Export Market Development Grant (EMDG)

Industry Growth Program (IGP)

Accelerating Commercialisation

MVP Ventures Programme (NSW)

Ignite Ideas Fund

LaunchVic Startup Ecosystem Grants

State Innovation Funds (SA, WA, Tasmania)

R&D Tax Incentive

EIC Accelerator

EIC Pathfinder

EIC Transition

EIC Advanced Innovation Challenges

EIC STEP Scale Up

EIC STEP Scale Up Defence

EIC Pre‑Accelerator

Eurostars (Calls 10 & 11)

EIC Funding Opportunities Portal

Digital Europe Programme – AI Data Call (DIGITAL-2026-AI-DATA-10)

Digital Europe Programme – Advanced Digital Skills (DIGITAL-2026-SKILLS-10)

Digital Europe Programme – Accelerating the Best Use of Technologies (DIGITAL-2026-BESTUSE-RSF-10)

Digital Europe Programme – Multi-Country Projects (DIGITAL-2026-BESTUSE-MCP-10)