Innovation Grant Program

The County of Kauai Office of Economic Development administers the Innovation Grant program as part of its broader mission to support economic diversification, resilience, and sustainable growth across the island. This program is designed to encourage the deployment of innovative solutions to address known community challenges. The Office seeks to fund projects that have demonstrated success in other contexts and can be adapted to Kauai’s unique environment, rather than speculative or unproven ideas. The initiative reflects the County’s commitment to fostering long-term economic vitality through targeted investments in emerging sectors and community-based innovation. The primary purpose of the Innovation Grant is to support projects that address deficiencies or unmet needs within the Kauai community while contributing to economic development. Eligible focus areas include small business development, technology, transportation, energy, agriculture, sustainability, local manufacturing, creative industries, workforce development, circular economies, and product development. Projects must clearly demonstrate potential economic benefit to residents, whether through job creation, improved efficiency, increased income, or enhanced community experience. Preference is given to projects that incorporate partnerships, collaboration, and inclusive community engagement. Funding is structured to support discrete projects with awards ranging from fifteen thousand dollars to fifty thousand dollars, with total program funding capped at four hundred eighty thousand dollars. The grant requires a cost share, including a ten percent cash match and a ten percent in-kind contribution, ensuring that grant funds do not exceed eighty percent of total project costs. Administrative costs are capped at fifteen percent of the total grant budget. Funds may be used for a variety of project-related expenses such as materials, outreach, and program implementation, but cannot be used for prohibited expenses such as fundraising, real estate purchases, alcohol, or general organizational startup costs. Eligibility is limited to nonprofit organizations incorporated in Hawaii and compliant with federal tax-exempt requirements, as well as Kauai-based businesses that partner with a qualified nonprofit fiscal sponsor. Applicants must demonstrate organizational capacity, including governance structures, financial management systems, and at least one year of relevant experience. Additionally, applicants must either be compliant or become compliant with the State of Hawaii Compliance Express system prior to receiving funding. All projects must take place entirely within Kauai County. The application process requires submission through the SMApply online system, and no alternative submission methods are accepted. Applicants must provide a comprehensive proposal including project overview, purpose, research, innovation, goals, work plan, evaluation metrics, budget, and organizational documentation. The process also includes a public comment period where community members can review and provide feedback on shortlisted proposals. Evaluation is conducted through a multi-phase process that includes initial screening, committee review, public engagement, and final deliberation based on criteria such as organizational capacity, project feasibility, alignment with economic sectors, and budget justification. Key dates for the funding cycle include the application opening on July 7, 2026, and the submission deadline of August 6, 2026 at 4:00 PM. Questions must be submitted by July 21, 2026, with responses issued by July 27, 2026. Award notifications are expected during the week of August 31, 2026, and the grant agreement must be executed by mid-September. The project performance period begins upon execution and continues through October 31, 2027. The program does not explicitly state recurrence, but the fiscal year designation suggests an annual cycle. Contact for inquiries is provided via the Office of Economic Development grants email, and additional support such as informational webinars and accessibility accommodations are available. Applicants are expected to maintain communication throughout the grant period and provide regular reporting, including quarterly progress updates and a final report. The program emphasizes accountability, transparency, and measurable outcomes to ensure that funded projects deliver meaningful and lasting impact to the Kauai community.

Ensure strong alignment with priority economic sectors demonstrate clear community benefit include partnerships and provide detailed workplan and budget justification