"Technology grants" cover a wide range — research and development awards for startups, broadband infrastructure funding for rural areas, ed-tech grants for schools, and nonprofit technology programs. There is no single federal "tech grant" you can simply apply for. This page maps the real programs in 2026 by who they fund.
R&D grants for small tech companies
SBIR and STTR
The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs are the largest source of non-dilutive funding for U.S. tech startups. Eleven federal agencies — including the NIH, DoD, NASA, DOE, NSF, USDA, and DHS — run their own solicitations.
- Phase I: ~$314,000 over 6–12 months (statutory baseline, agency variation).
- Phase II: ~$2.1 million over 24 months.
- Phase III: commercialization with non-SBIR funds.
Eligible firms must be U.S.-based, for-profit, and have ≤500 employees. Apply at sbir.gov. See our business grants page for more.
NSF Translation programs
NSF runs the TIP Directorate (Technology, Innovation and Partnerships), including:
- NSF Engines — regional R&D ecosystems, multi-year multi-million-dollar awards to consortia.
- NSF Convergence Accelerator — applied research targeting national-scale problems.
- NSF I-Corps — translates academic research toward commercialization (small awards plus customer-discovery curriculum).
Browse current opportunities at nsf.gov/funding.
NIH SEED and NIH SBIR
For biomedical and health-tech, NIH SEED coordinates NIH SBIR/STTR plus complementary programs aimed at translating biomedical innovation. NIH SBIR awards are among the largest in the program.
DOE and ARPA-E
For energy and climate tech, the Department of Energy and ARPA-E run major R&D grant programs. See arpa-e.energy.gov. Many overlap with green grants.
Broadband and infrastructure grants
USDA ReConnect
USDA ReConnect provides loans and grants for broadband deployment in unserved rural areas. Eligible applicants include cooperatives, telecom companies, tribes, states, and local governments — not individuals.
NTIA BEAD (Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment)
The $42.45 billion BEAD program, administered by NTIA at the Department of Commerce, flows to state broadband offices and then to subgrantees for last-mile deployment. Look up your state's broadband office for subgrant opportunities.
Digital Equity Act programs
NTIA's Digital Equity formula and competitive grants fund state and community programs improving digital inclusion — devices, skills training, and affordable internet access for covered populations.
Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program
For tribal entities, NTIA's Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program funds deployment and adoption projects on tribal lands.
School and education-technology grants
ED Education Innovation and Research (EIR)
EIR funds rigorous evaluation of promising K–12 innovations, including ed-tech. School districts, nonprofits, and partnerships apply directly. See ed.gov.
E-Rate (FCC)
The E-Rate program discounts internet and telecommunications costs for schools and libraries. It's a discount, not a cash grant, but worth millions to qualifying districts. Administered through USAC.
State and corporate ed-tech grants
- DonorsChoose — classroom tech projects funded by individual donors.
- Google.org Education grants — periodic competitive awards.
- Microsoft Philanthropies — nonprofit and education technology programs.
- AT&T Aspire — connected learning grants.
See our teaching grants page for more classroom-level options.
Nonprofit technology funding
Nonprofits seeking funding for IT modernization, websites, databases, or program technology should look at:
- TechSoup — discounted/donated software and hardware (not a cash grant but high-value).
- Google for Nonprofits — Ad Grants worth up to $10,000/month in Google Ads.
- Microsoft for Nonprofits — donated/discounted Microsoft 365 and Azure credits.
- Salesforce.org Power of Us — donated CRM licenses for eligible nonprofits.
- AWS Imagine Grant and AWS Nonprofit Credit Program — cloud credits and competitive grants.
- Knight Foundation, NetGain Partnership, Ford Foundation — periodic technology-for-civic-good grants.
How to apply
- Identify which bucket you fit — R&D startup, broadband provider, school/district, nonprofit, or government entity.
- Register early. Federal grants require SAM.gov registration (1–2 weeks) and a Unique Entity ID. SBIR also requires an SBA Company Registry account.
- Read the solicitation. Technical narratives, budgets, and timeline must align precisely with program criteria.
- Build collaborations. Many federal tech grants favor partnerships (university + small business, district + nonprofit, state + community).
- Submit before the deadline. Late submissions in Grants.gov and agency portals are not accepted.
There is no application fee for legitimate federal grants. Services charging upfront fees to "secure" technology grants are not running the federal grant process — they're reselling free information. Report scams to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
Common questions
Is there a federal grant to buy a computer or pay my internet? Not as a "grant." Low-income households can get discounted internet through the FCC's Lifeline program (~$9.25/month). The Affordable Connectivity Program ended in mid-2024 — be wary of pages still advertising it.
Can my for-profit startup get federal grant money? Yes — through SBIR/STTR if you're doing genuine R&D with commercial potential. General "tech startup grants" from the federal government don't exist outside R&D.
Where do K–12 schools find tech funding? Title I, Title IV (Student Support and Academic Enrichment), E-Rate, EIR, state ed-tech grants, and corporate/foundation programs. Most flow through the district, not individual teachers.
Are state technology grants available? Yes. Many states fund broadband, school technology, workforce reskilling, and small-business technology adoption. Search "[your state] technology grant" plus the relevant agency (commerce, education, economic development).