Grants for Small businesses - Science and Technology

This ISO seeks solution summary and proposal submissions for projects that fall within the scope of the ARPA-H mission Resilient Systems Office (RSO). RSOs interest areas will address systemic challenges across the healthcare and public health landscape by investing in cutting-edge technologies that address long-standing gaps in the quality, efficacy, and consistent availability of care.Aspects of todays health and public health systems remain fragile due to systemic challenges, which include rising healthcare costs, inadequate healthcare coverage for significant populations, outdated infrastructure, and health disparities among different demographic groups. Acute challenges, such as hospital closures, supply chain disruptions, staffing shortages, cyber-attacks, public health crises, and the emergence of new diseases, further exacerbate existing fragilities, making it more difficult to maintain high standards of care. These challenges are compounded by the fact that systems remain fragmented, hindering the ability to gain comprehensive insights, make informed decisions, develop tailored interventions, and share critical health information between stakeholders.RSO seeks solution summaries and proposals that drive innovations to enhance the adaptability, reliability, and interoperability of the health ecosystem. Of interest are innovations that foster flexibility and enable adaptation to system stressors, so that people and systems remain well-positioned to deliver high-quality care and improve health outcomes. The following interest areas categorize the ground-breaking research we seek to support:Sociotechnical System Innovation: Innovate user-centric digital health tools, platforms, technologies, and intervention models that improve outcomes across the health continuum, including prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of physical, mental, and behavioral health. Approaches to build trust in the healthcare system and distribute high-quality health guidance in an understandable manner that improves patient outcomes. Novel real-time measurement tools to track health outcomes, evaluate post-market performance of new interventions, and enable convergence on the most effective strategies to improve the quality of care, especially for underserved communities. Other population centered innovations to create more resilient communities and subpopulations. Innovations might include aggregate improvements to quality of care and better physical, mental, and behavioral health outcomes for the health ecosystem.Health Ecosystem Integration: Novel ways to collect, protect, secure, integrate, analyze, communicate, and present health data, including but not limited to advances in privacy, cyber security, artificial intelligence with enhanced patient safety properties, low-code or no-code technologies, semantic approaches, and rapid integration techniques. Strategies and technologies to leverage homes, community centers, pharmacies, and other accessible locations to enable new modalities of high-quality care, expand the reach of clinical research, or integrate end-user feedback to rapidly iterate prototype designs. Approaches to strengthen the connectivity and interoperability of health data and devices to 5 enable the safe, secure, and seamless exchange of information among healthcare providers, researchers, and stakeholders. Other novel approaches to increase the interoperability of health-related systems in support of improved health outcomes and enhanced transparency across the health ecosystem.Adaptive Antifragile Solutions: Creative approaches to enhance the stability and dependability of the health ecosystem through new adaptive paradigms, methods that anticipate and mitigate disruptions before they occur, and enhancements to emergency response. Approaches that enable health infrastructure to rapidly integrate information from new sensors; create decision support tools; adapt supply chains, manufacturing, and logistics; and better leverage the workforce during public health emergencies. Novel methods to engineer resilient tissues, microbiomes, and biophysical systems to combat disease or maintain health. Other novel approaches to enhance adaptability and reduce fragility within the health ecosystem.Proposals are expected to use innovative approaches to enable revolutionary advances in science, technology, systems, or methodology. Specifically excluded are proposals that represent an evolutionary or incremental advance in the state of the art or technology that has reached the clinical trial stage. Additionally, proposals directed towards policy changes, traditional education and training, or center coordination, formation, or development, and construction of physical infrastructure are outside the scope of the ARPA-H mission

This funding opportunity provides financial support for innovative breast cancer research projects aimed at preventing the disease, understanding its recurrence, or improving treatment, targeting both early-stage and more developed studies from a range of eligible organizations and researchers.

**AMENDED on DECEMBER 11 2023**: The latest revision is posted as Amendment 18. Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to review the Amendment in its entirety, as it updates several sections. Specifically, ATTACHMENT 1: SPECIFIC TOPICS now includes Basic Research Topics N1-N4, with white papers due by 11:59pm EST on 5 February 2024. White papers may not be considered if they are received after this deadline. In addition, submissions to the general thrust areas in accordance with the requirements detailed in the BAA are also welcome. ** Please note that all correspondence must be sent to the appropriate Agency contact identified in Section 7. Agency Contacts. **

InnovateMass is a grant initiative administered by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) that seeks to bridge the funding gap known as the “commercialization valley of death”—the critical stage between early angel investment and later-stage venture capital. The program is designed to accelerate the commercialization of clean energy technologies by supporting projects with strong potential for market deployment and climate impact. It offers both financial support and technical assistance to climatetech startups operating within Massachusetts. The program awards up to $350,000 per project to applicant teams that include a Lead Applicant and one or more Demonstration Project Partners. The focus is on technologies or combinations of technologies that address key energy challenges in the state while advancing Massachusetts' clean energy leadership. Applicants must propose solutions that align with one of four core focus areas defined in the full Request for Proposals (RFP). An optional "Gridtech Spotlight" opportunity is available for projects that partner with a Massachusetts electric utility for grid technology demonstrations. This specific track has additional requirements, including submission of a concept paper. InnovateMass is structured around a trimester-based application schedule. For the current cycle, the final application deadline is March 9, 2026. However, applicants pursuing the Gridtech Spotlight opportunity must submit their concept papers to utility project partners by January 12, 2026. Notifications for finalists will occur in mid-April 2026, followed by pitch coaching through late May. Final pitches are expected during the week of May 25, 2026, with awards announced in early July. Funded projects are scheduled to begin by September 2026. Eligible applicants include climatetech startup companies that form Applicant Teams with relevant project partners. Applicants may submit up to two different projects per cycle, and prior awardees may reapply with distinctly new technologies. A Public Benefit Site designation—applying to public facilities, affordable housing, or underserved geographic areas—may reduce the required cost share to 25%. Projects must be located in Massachusetts, and companies must meet a combination of operational presence requirements to qualify as Massachusetts-based. The two-part application process involves submitting a written application followed by an invitation-only pitch presentation to a panel of judges. Gridtech Spotlight participants follow a three-step process, beginning with a concept paper. All full applications must be submitted via a new application portal launching in January 2026. A sample application is provided in the RFP for reference but should not be submitted. Visual elements are permitted within application materials, and evaluation criteria include climate impact potential, project feasibility, and commercialization readiness. For questions, applicants may contact MassCEC at innovate@masscec.com or consult the Business Front Door resource for guidance on additional state support services. Full details, including technical assistance roles, project partner requirements, and Total Addressable Carbon analysis expectations, are available in the InnovateMass RFP.

**CYCLE 4 POSTED ON 10 APRIL 2024. SEE ATTACHED UPDATED ANNOUNCEMENT FOR SPECIFIC TOPICS OF INTEREST IN CYCLE 4 AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION** **CYCLE 3, ORIGINALLY POSTED ON 21 MARCH 2023, IS UPDATED TO INCLUDE A QUESTION AND ANSWER DOCUMENT AND TO UPDATE THE SUBMISSION DATE TO 5 MAY 2023 BY 1700 EASTERN TIME** **CYCLE 3 POSTED ON 21 MARCH 2023. SEE ATTACHED UPDATED ANNOUNCEMENT FOR SPECIFIC TOPICS OF INTEREST IN CYCLE 3 AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION** **CYCLE 2 POSTED ON 8 FEBRUARY 2021. SEE ATTACHED UPDATED ANNOUNCEMENT FOR SPECIFIC TOPICS OF INTEREST IN CYCLE 2 AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION** Purpose: Future Army forces will need to conduct cross-domain maneuver (CDM) and at times, operate semi-independently, disbursed, and while communications and infrastructure such as Global Positioning System (GPS) are disrupted or denied. Robotics and Autonomous Systems (RAS) will play a key role in expanding the operational reach, situational awareness, and effectiveness of maneuver forces in CDM. The Combat Capabilities Development Command (CCDC) Army Research Laboratory (ARL) is focused on developing fundamental understanding and informing the art-of-the-possible for warfighter concepts through research to greatly improve air and ground based autonomous vehicle perception, learning, reasoning, communication, navigation, and physical capabilities to augment and increase the freedom of maneuver in complex and contested environments. The Scalable, Adaptive, and Resilient Autonomy (SARA) program is focused on developing and experimentally accelerating emerging research in autonomous mobility and maneuverability, scalable heterogeneous and collaborative behaviors, and human agent teaming to realize adaptive and resilient Intelligent Systems that can reason about the environment, work in distributed and collaborative heterogeneous teams, and make op-tempo decisions to enable Autonomous Maneuver in complex and contested environments. In order to achieve this vision, advancements are needed in following: Novel methods for all-terrain ground and aerial maneuver to interact with and move through complex environments. Methods for scalable and heterogeneous collaborative behaviors in support of collaborative air and ground manned-unmanned teaming operations. Techniques for improved perception, decision-making, and adaptive behaviors for fully autonomous maneuver in contested environments. Methods, metrics, and tools to facilitate, simulate, and enable testing and evaluation of emerging approaches for intelligent and autonomous systems under Army relevant constraints and environments Experimental testbeds to develop and refine knowledge products to inform and transition technology to Army stakeholders.

The Economic Opportunity Holiday Grant is a financial aid initiative aimed at supporting small businesses, microentrepreneurs, food industry enterprises, and nonprofits in Los Angeles County that have been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Grants of $3,000 or $5,000 are available for eligible entities. Applicants must sign a pledge to support local businesses on shoplocal.la before applying. Applications will be accepted from November 30, 2024, at 9 a.m. to December 31, 2024, at 5 p.m. Completed applications can be submitted via email to EOHG@pacela.org or dropped off at the program's office in Los Angeles. Eligible applicants include businesses in good standing with local, state, and federal taxes, and nonprofits providing housing, food, transportation, or other community services. Businesses must demonstrate financial losses due to the pandemic, such as revenue declines, supply chain disruptions, or increased costs for public health compliance. Nonprofits and for-profit entities must meet specific revenue thresholds and operational requirements. Certain entities, such as publicly traded companies, lobbying firms, and businesses violating state or federal laws, are ineligible. Grant funds can be used for various purposes, including purchasing certified equipment or technology, paying employee payroll, renewing local permits, covering business debts incurred due to COVID-19, and managing outstanding expenses like rent. Funds may also address costs resulting from health and safety adaptations or interruptions caused by the pandemic. The application requires detailed information about the business, including ownership, type, revenue, location, and impact of COVID-19. Applicants must certify that their submissions are accurate and that their business was affected by the pandemic. Incomplete or falsified applications may result in disqualification. Entities meeting eligibility criteria will be contacted to submit supporting documentation for verification. The program explicitly prohibits funds from being used by businesses involved in gambling, adult entertainment, or activities contravening state or federal regulations. Applicants are encouraged to review the full guidelines available on the grant's website for additional details.

This funding opportunity provides substantial financial support for research projects that aim to improve medical knowledge and patient care for diseases affecting military service members, veterans, and their families.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to small businesses that have completed an initial research project, enabling them to develop innovative solutions that improve the lives of individuals with disabilities.

This funding opportunity supports research and development projects focused on creating innovative and efficient aircraft structures, open to a wide range of applicants including universities, businesses, and non-profits.

This funding opportunity supports late-stage preclinical studies using adult stem cells to advance regenerative medicine therapies, specifically for researchers who have previously received NIH funding in this area.

This grant provides funding to small businesses developing innovative tools for bioenergy crop engineering to enhance sustainable energy production and reduce carbon emissions.

The Impact 100 Ozark grant program seeks to provide transformational grants to organizations serving eastern Christian County, Missouri. The foundation's mission is deeply aligned with this program, aiming to empower women to significantly improve community lives through generosity and by funding impactful grants. This strategic approach ensures that the grants have a lasting positive effect within the specified geographic area, reflecting Impact 100 Ozark's commitment to community betterment through focused financial support. The target beneficiaries for these grants are 501(c)3 organizations or other IRS-approved entities, including government entities, school districts, and churches, that specifically serve the eastern Christian County area. The primary impact goal is to fund significant initiatives that dramatically improve lives. While not explicitly stated as a "theory of change," the foundation's approach suggests that by empowering local organizations with substantial funding, they can address critical community needs and foster sustainable improvements. The program prioritizes proposals that avoid funding day-to-day operations, scholarships, or the start-up of new nonprofit agencies, indicating a focus on established organizations and projects with a clear, transformative scope. This ensures that the grants are directed towards initiatives that can create a significant, rather than incremental, impact. The available funding includes two grants totaling $49,000, with one grant of $35,000 and another of $14,000, underscoring the "significant grants" aspect of their mission. Expected outcomes and measurable results are inherent in the program's design, aiming for "lasting impact." While specific metrics are not detailed in the provided information, the emphasis on "transformational grants" implies a desire for substantial and demonstrable change within the community. The foundation's strategic priority is clearly to harness generosity to fund these impactful projects, thereby improving the lives of individuals and families in eastern Christian County.

This program provides early-stage life science startups nationwide with free mentorship, networking, and resources to help them grow and prepare for investment opportunities.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for U.S. entities to conduct research aimed at improving the accuracy and reliability of crime data collection and reporting by state and local jurisdictions.

This grant provides funding opportunities for a wide range of organizations, including universities and businesses, to advance manufacturing technologies, with a particular encouragement for participation from historically black colleges and universities and minority institutions.

This program provides financial support to small businesses in Lancaster for purchasing essential equipment to help create jobs and boost local economic growth.

This funding opportunity is designed to support early career researchers in heliophysics, enabling them to conduct innovative studies related to the Sun and its interactions with the Earth and space environment.

The City of Sacramento Office of Innovation and Economic Development is offering Incubator and Accelerator Grants to fund organizations that support start-up businesses and entrepreneurs in the Sacramento region. The program's mission aligns with stimulating economic development and fostering innovation by nurturing early-stage businesses. The grant size ranges from $10,000 to $100,000, with a total allocation of approximately $500,000, and a grant duration of one year. The deadline for applications is September 9, 2024. The target beneficiaries are early-stage businesses and entrepreneurs within the Sacramento region, particularly those with high growth potential and innovative solutions. The primary impact goal is for participants of the funded incubator and accelerator programs to successfully start or grow their businesses, thereby spurring innovation and stimulating economic development locally. Non-profits and companies are invited to apply for funding to run these programs. The grant prioritizes programs that offer a comprehensive suite of services, including mentorship and coaching from experienced professionals, educational workshops on business planning and financial management, product development support, and legal and administrative assistance. Furthermore, programs should focus on marketing and branding support, strategic partnerships, and facilitating access to funding through pitch training and investor introductions. Access to shared office space is also a valuable component. Expected outcomes include a measurable increase in the number of new businesses started and existing businesses grown within the Sacramento region. The program aims to foster a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem, leading to job creation and economic prosperity. The City's strategic priority is to invest in initiatives that directly contribute to innovation and economic growth, with the theory of change being that by supporting early-stage businesses through comprehensive programs, they will be better equipped to succeed and contribute to the local economy. Eligible activities for grant expenditures are broad, covering program development and delivery, staff salaries, stipends for volunteers and participants, training supplies, office space, marketing, and even food for participants (up to 5% of the grant total). Scholarships for program participants, software subscription fees, and professional services are also permissible. Applicants must operate from a fixed place of business within Sacramento city limits, or provide grant-supported programming within the city, and be in compliance with current and past City grants.

This program provides financial support to U.S.-based developers of hydropower technologies, enabling them to access testing facilities that will help improve their innovations and accelerate commercialization.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to various organizations, including local governments and nonprofits, to expand broadband infrastructure and improve internet access in underserved areas of Michigan.