Connecticut Science and Technology Grants

This program provides funding to schools, childcare centers, and organizations in Connecticut to enhance Farm to School initiatives by increasing local food availability, improving nutrition education, and fostering connections with local farmers.

This grant provides funding to charitable organizations focused on preventing and treating child maltreatment through direct services, education, advocacy, and research in designated communities both in the U.S. and internationally.

This fellowship provides financial support to women pursuing their first doctoral degree in various fields, with a focus on promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in academia.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations that create hands-on STEAM workshops for underserved youth, enhancing technical skills and career exploration opportunities within the Best Buy Teen Tech Centers network.

This grant provides funding to small organizations in Middlesex County, Connecticut, to support programs and events that promote racial equity, education, financial stability, housing, wellness, and youth development.

The Public Art Learning Fund, administered by the New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA), is designed to fortify the public art landscape across New England by offering professional development opportunities directly to artists. NEFA's overarching mission, as reflected in this grant, is to cultivate more equitable, inclusive, and vibrant public spaces and public life throughout the region. This initiative aligns with NEFA's strategic goal of fostering a sustainable and equitable public art ecosystem by investing in the skills, resources, and connections of artists working in the public realm. The primary beneficiaries of this fund are artists residing full-time in one of the six New England states (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont) who are actively engaged in public artmaking or are in the process of expanding their practice into this domain. The fund aims to empower these artists, contributing to more just and inclusive public art. Expected outcomes include artists developing enhanced skills and resources, leading to the creation of more vibrant public spaces and a stronger regional community of practice. The Public Art Learning Fund prioritizes opportunities that specifically expand an artist's public art practice and contribute equitably to more just and inclusive public artmaking. NEFA seeks clarity on desired learnings and their application to the artist's practice. The fund welcomes artists at various stages of their public artmaking careers from urban, suburban, and rural communities, recognizing that diverse cultural and artistic expressions are crucial for equitable and vibrant public spaces. A key focus of this grant is equity. NEFA acknowledges that various barriers, including race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, class, age, and geography, can limit access to professional development. Therefore, the Public Art Learning Fund actively prioritizes equity in its funding decisions. This may include, but is not limited to, prioritizing artists who self-identify as Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) and/or those who are rooted in rural communities, aligning with NEFA's theory of change that targeted support can address systemic inequities and build a more inclusive artistic landscape. Grants range from $500 to $3,000 and support opportunities taking place between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2025. Eligible applicants must also have a Creative Ground profile, and the proposed professional development must directly relate to strengthening their public art practice and occur within the grant period. These measurable results, such as the number of artists served and the nature of their professional development, contribute to NEFA's broader strategic aim of fostering a more equitable and sustainable public art ecosystem in New England.

This grant provides financial support to public K-12 schools in the contiguous United States to enhance existing Automotive and Engineering Career and Technical Education programs, improving hands-on learning and workforce readiness for students.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to universities in specific states and territories to enhance their research capabilities in science and engineering, aligning with the needs of the Department of Defense.

The Child Health Research Awards Program by the Charles H. Hood Foundation aims to advance child health by providing grant support to newly independent faculty within New England-based pediatric researchers. The program offers two-year grants of $200,000 ($100,000 per year inclusive of 10% indirects) to researchers who are within five (PhD scientists) or seven (physician-scientists) years of employment following completion of training. The grants support hypothesis-driven clinical, basic science, public health, health services research, and epidemiology projects focused on child health. Application deadlines occur in the spring and fall of each year, with funding beginning every January 1st and July 1st. For complete eligibility requirements and application guidelines, visit CharlesHoodFoundation.org.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to Connecticut municipalities and regional entities to develop waste management projects that reduce solid waste and promote environmental sustainability.

The Catalyst Endowment Fund, managed by the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, is offering a competitive funding opportunity centered on "Empowering Future Leaders and Community Builders through Youth Sports in Greater Hartford." This initiative aligns with the foundation's broader mission to foster well-being and development within the community. The program aims to leverage the positive effects of youth sports, such as developing teamwork, leadership, and promoting physical and mental health, to create resilient, confident, and empowered individuals. The fund's focus on bridging access gaps to youth sports directly supports the foundation's strategic priority of creating sustainable support systems for the region's youth. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are youth in Greater Hartford, particularly those in underserved communities who face barriers to accessing sports programs. The overarching impact goal is to empower these young individuals, transforming them into future leaders and community builders. By focusing on sustainable support systems, the program seeks to create lasting positive change beyond the grant duration, addressing systemic inequalities in access to enriching activities. This aligns with a theory of change that posits that providing equitable opportunities in youth sports will lead to enhanced individual development and stronger, more engaged communities. The program's priorities and focus areas are clearly defined to achieve these goals. Infrastructure Development aims to improve existing sports facilities and equipment, ensuring long-term accessibility. Training and Capacity Building initiatives will equip coaches, volunteers, and staff with the skills to deliver high-quality programs, fostering a robust support network. Partnerships and Collaborations are encouraged to strengthen relationships with schools, community organizations, and local businesses, pooling resources and support. Finally, Health and Wellness Integration seeks to embed physical and mental health services within youth sports, promoting holistic well-being and sustained participation. Expected outcomes and measurable results include improved accessibility to youth sports in underserved communities, an increased number of trained coaches and volunteers, stronger community partnerships supporting youth sports, and enhanced physical and mental well-being among participants. The program anticipates fostering increased participation in youth sports, leading to the development of critical life skills such as leadership, teamwork, and resilience. Ultimately, the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving expects these initiatives to contribute to a more equitable and vibrant Greater Hartford, producing a generation of empowered individuals who are prepared to lead and build their communities. The fund has $69,000 available to award, with one or more grants totaling this amount, contingent on the project's size, funding need, and the quality of the proposals submitted in response to the forthcoming Request for Proposal.

The Women’s Business Development Council (WBDC) is offering the Torrington Grant Program, a grant designed to foster the growth of businesses located in Torrington, Connecticut. This initiative aligns with the WBDC's mission to support and empower businesses, particularly by providing crucial financial assistance that can contribute to economic development within the targeted city. The program specifically excludes the use of funds for operating expenses, real estate improvements, reimbursement for past purchases, or debt repayment, emphasizing a focus on growth-oriented investments rather than day-to-day operational costs. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are for-profit businesses situated in Torrington, Connecticut, that meet specific criteria. These businesses must have been in operation for at least two years with a record of sales, demonstrate annual sales/revenue between $25,000 and $2,000,000 in the last twelve months, be registered in Connecticut, and hold a zoning permit from the City of Torrington. Additionally, they must be in good standing with the CT Department of Revenue Services, possess an established business checking account, and utilize a formal digital bookkeeping/financial system. The owner must also be at least 18 years old. The impact goal is to stimulate economic vitality and stability within Torrington by supporting established local businesses. The program prioritizes businesses that are poised for growth and are operating within a structured financial framework. There is a clear focus on financial transparency and stability, as evidenced by the requirement for digital bookkeeping systems and good standing with the Department of Revenue Services. Certain types of businesses are explicitly ineligible, including childcare businesses (though WBDC offers other programs for them), businesses that have previously received a WBDC grant, current WBDC vendors or contractors, and a range of businesses such as medical marijuana, liquor stores, adult businesses, vape/tobacco shops, gambling-related businesses, gun stores, cash advance/pawn shops, and collection agencies. This selectivity ensures that the grants are directed towards businesses that align with the WBDC's strategic vision for community development and ethical business practices. Grants will range from $2,500 to $10,000. The expected outcomes include a measurable increase in the capacity and reach of the recipient businesses, contributing to job creation and sustained economic activity within Torrington. By providing financial resources to qualifying businesses, the WBDC aims to strengthen the local business ecosystem and encourage long-term prosperity. This grant program is a direct manifestation of the WBDC's strategic priority to support local economies through targeted financial aid, operating under the theory of change that direct investment in compliant, established businesses will lead to enhanced economic stability and growth.

The City of West Haven's American Rescue Plan Act Storefront Façade Improvement Grant Program aims to enhance the character and attractiveness of the downtown area and other public shopping and pedestrian areas. This initiative seeks to improve West Haven’s overall aesthetic and vibrancy by preserving or upgrading existing storefront facades, contributing to the economic revitalization and community well-being of the city. While the prompt mentions "foundation mission alignment" and "foundation's strategic priorities and theory of change," the provided text describes a city-run grant program rather than a foundation. Therefore, the alignment is with the city's goal of urban improvement and economic development for its small businesses. The program primarily targets for-profit small businesses located within the City of West Haven, defined as having no more than 50 full-time employees and meeting the criteria of a small business concern as per the Small Business Act. These businesses must be in good standing with the City and the Connecticut Department of Revenue Service, and cannot have received alternate funding for the same intended costs. The grant also has specific eligibility for property owners or businesses with lease terms extending through June 2026 if they lease their space. The impact goals are centered on fostering a more inviting and safer urban environment, encouraging local commerce, and supporting the financial health and longevity of West Haven's small businesses. Key priorities and focuses of the grant program include exterior improvements such as new windows, doors, awnings, painting, attached signage, siding, brick appointing, and exterior lighting. It also covers HVAC installation/upgrades and outdoor dining/patio space (if affixed to the building). The program explicitly excludes work completed prior to agreement execution, new construction, temporary improvements, neon signs, interior improvements, roofs (unless part of a larger project), and the removal of architecturally significant features. This selective approach ensures that funds are directed towards improvements that directly contribute to the facade's visual appeal and the overall streetscape. Expected outcomes of the program include a noticeable improvement in the appearance of storefronts, leading to increased foot traffic and commercial activity in the downtown and other public shopping areas. The addition of safety measures like enhanced lighting is anticipated to create a more secure environment for pedestrians and patrons. By providing financial assistance for these upgrades, the City of West Haven expects to stimulate local economic growth, retain existing businesses, and attract new investments, thereby reinforcing the city's identity as a vibrant and thriving community for its residents and visitors.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in Fairfield County to help them address community needs and enhance their impact on local residents.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for state forestry departments, universities, nonprofits, and local governments in the Eastern U.S. to manage and combat invasive species that threaten forest health.

This grant provides funding for projects that improve the ecological health of Long Island Sound, targeting local organizations, governments, and communities engaged in habitat restoration, water quality enhancement, and environmental education within the watershed.

This funding opportunity provides financial assistance to bioscience start-ups, early-stage businesses, and academic institutions in Connecticut to help accelerate the commercialization of innovative bioscience breakthroughs.

This grant provides financial assistance to municipalities, non-profit land conservation organizations, and water companies in Connecticut for acquiring land to preserve open spaces and protect water supplies.

This program provides funding to eligible public transit agencies in designated urban areas to improve security and resilience against terrorism and other threats through various protective measures and enhancements.

This funding opportunity supports organizations working to improve the environmental quality of the Quinnipiac River and its watershed through initiatives like pollution reduction, habitat restoration, and public education.