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Grants for Early-Stage Startups (2027): 13 Programmes in the US, Canada, Latin America, Asia, Israel and Africa With Amounts and Deadlines

Grants for Early-Stage Startups Worldwide: US, Canada, Latin America, Asia, Israel and Africa Checked for 2027

A grant lets an early-stage startup build its first product without selling equity or taking on debt. Outside Europe, the biggest programmes are run by governments: the US SBIR and STTR programmes, Canada's IRAP, Brazil's FAPESP, Chile's Corfo, Israel's Innovation Authority, India's BIRAC and Singapore's Enterprise Singapore. Almost all of them only fund companies registered in their own country or state, so where you incorporate decides which grants you can get. We checked each programme below on its official page in October 2026: who can apply, how much you get, what strings are attached and when the next deadline is. The 2025 version of this article mixed US small-business contests, European programmes and accelerators, mostly sourced from third-party lists; what we dropped and why is at the end. For EU and national grants in Europe, read our separate guide to grants for early-stage startups in Europe.
Quick answer: in the US, the SBIR and STTR programmes are back after Congress reauthorised them in 2026; the NSF pays up to $305,000 in Phase I with no equity, and its next deadline is 4 November 2026. Canadian tech companies talk to NRC IRAP, which has no deadline. If you can move, Start-Up Chile funds founders of any nationality and opens its next round on 3 November 2026. Israeli founders can apply to Tnufa all year, biotech founders in India should watch the BIRAC BIG call, and Singaporeans can start with Startup SG Founder. African founders should prepare for the next Tony Elumelu Foundation call.
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Startup Grants Outside Europe Compared

ProgrammeWhereAmountStrings attachedNext deadline or status
SBIR / STTRUnited States (11 federal agencies)Phase I up to $335,937 and Phase II up to $2,239,578 without an SBA waiverNo equityEach agency sets its own dates
NSF SBIR / STTR (America's Seed Fund)United StatesPhase I up to $305,000; Phase II up to $1,250,000No equity4 November 2026, then 4 March 2027 and 7 July 2027
NRC IRAPCanadaSet per projectNon-repayable contributionNo deadline; contact NRC IRAP
FAPESP PIPEBrazil (São Paulo state)Phase 1 up to R$300,000; Phase 2 up to R$1.5 millionNo equityContinuous submission
Start-Up ChileChile (founders of any nationality)CLP 15 million (Build) to CLP 75 million (Growth)Equity-free; you co-pay 10% to 50%BIG 13 opens 3 November 2026
Tnufa (Ideation)IsraelUp to NIS 200,000 over 12 months80% of budget; repaid as royalties on salesOpen all year
BIRAC BIGIndia (biotech)Up to INR 50 lakh over 18 monthsGrant-in-aidCalls announced 1 January and 1 July
Startup SG FounderSingaporeS$20,000 to S$50,0001:1 matching capitalThrough an Accredited Mentor Partner
Startup SG TechSingaporeUp to S$400,000 (POC) or S$800,000 (POV)Enterprise Singapore gets a share subscription rightStart with a registration of interest
Cyberport Incubation ProgrammeHong KongUp to HK$500,00024-month incubation1 December 2026 for the February 2027 intake
K-Startup Grand ChallengeSouth Korea (foreign founders)Prizes of KRW 5 million to KRW 100 million, plus grantsMust enter the Korean market2026 call closed; 2027 call not announced
Industry Growth ProgramAustraliaA$50,000 to A$5 millionMatched grant, after an advisory reportPaused to new applications
TEF Entrepreneurship ProgrammeAll 54 African countriesUS$5,000Non-refundable2026 call closed; 2027 call not announced
Sources: each programme's official website, call text or guidelines, checked 29 October 2026. Rules change between rounds, so check the official page again before you apply.

United States and Canada

1. SBIR and STTR: America's Seed Fund across 11 federal agencies

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programmes are the largest source of equity-free R&D money for US startups. On SBIR.gov the Small Business Administration describes them as non-dilutive funding paid through 11 participating agencies, from the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, War, Energy, Education, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security and Transportation to the EPA, NASA and the NSF. Phase I tests feasibility, Phase II builds the product; STTR projects must include a partner research institution. As of 16 October 2026, an agency can award up to $335,937 in Phase I and $2,239,578 in Phase II without an SBA waiver. Status: the programmes' authorisation lapsed on 30 September 2025. According to the University of Washington's federal relations office, the Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act (S. 3971) was signed on 13 April 2026 and reauthorises SBIR and STTR through 2031. Agencies are publishing solicitations again; NASA, for example, now releases its topics through a Broad Agency Announcement with appendices during the year.

2. NSF SBIR/STTR: up to $305,000 in Phase I, next deadline 4 November 2026

The National Science Foundation runs the most startup-friendly door into SBIR. Its America's Seed Fund site says it invests up to $2 million in seed funding and takes zero equity. Under the current NSF 26-510 solicitation, which NSF published after the reauthorisation, Phase I pays up to $305,000 for 6 to 18 months and Phase II up to $1,250,000, typically over 24 months; a Fast-Track option combines both. Applicants must be small businesses with no more than 500 employees, and the principal investigator must be at least 51% employed by the company and allowed to work in the US. Before a Phase I proposal you send a short Project Pitch and need an official invitation, which is valid for the next two deadlines. Full proposals are due on 4 November 2026, 4 March 2027 and 7 July 2027 at 5 p.m. your local time. NSF expects about 340 awards from $210 million, subject to available funds.

3. Canada: NRC IRAP

The National Research Council's Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) funds R&D projects of incorporated, for-profit small and medium-sized companies operating in Canada with up to 500 full-time-equivalent employees that develop and commercialise innovative, technology-driven products or services. The money is a non-repayable contribution toward a project, and every company first works with NRC IRAP advisors; NRC says meeting the minimum criteria does not guarantee funding. There is no deadline: you contact NRC IRAP (1-877-994-4727) to check eligibility and start the process. IRAP is also the door to several international R&D calls for Canadian SMEs. If you are in the US or Canada and want faster money, compare our list of startup competitions in North America.
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Latin America

4. Brazil: FAPESP PIPE

The São Paulo Research Foundation's PIPE programme (Pesquisa Inovativa em Pequenas Empresas) funds research for innovation in small companies. The company must have no more than 250 employees and be based in, or have a research unit in, São Paulo state. Phase 1 checks technical feasibility with up to R$300,000 for up to nine months; Phase 2 develops the product with up to R$1.5 million for up to 24 months. Proposals are accepted continuously under the rules in force since 15 September 2026, and FAPESP also runs themed PIPE calls with their own limits.

5. Chile: Start-Up Chile (founders of any nationality, BIG 13 opens 3 November 2026)

Start-Up Chile, run by the government agency Corfo, calls itself the first public startup accelerator and gives equity-free money to founders from anywhere who use Chile as their base. According to its BIG 12 brochure, Build (pre-acceleration, from a validated idea to an early prototype) gives CLP 15 million with Corfo covering 90% and you 10%; Ignite (from a working product to product-market fit) gives CLP 30 million with an 80/20 split, or 90/10 for women-led teams under its Female Founder Factor, plus a possible CLP 20 million extension; Growth gives CLP 75 million at 50/50. Selected foreign founders get support for a two-year work visa, and there are two generations a year. The BIG 13 application process opens on 3 November 2026 at 13:00 Chile time (GMT-3).
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Israel, India and Asia

6. Israel: Tnufa (Ideation) incentive programme

The Israel Innovation Authority's Ideation (Tnufa) programme helps entrepreneurs and new Israeli startups reach proof of concept. It gives a conditional grant of up to NIS 200,000 over 12 months, covering 80% of the approved budget, for a first prototype, patent protection and a business plan, but not salaries or overhead. You do not have to leave your job to apply. The grant is repaid only through royalties on product sales, so you give up no equity. The programme is open all year.

7. India: BIRAC Biotechnology Ignition Grant (BIG)

The Biotechnology Ignition Grant is the flagship scheme of BIRAC, the Department of Biotechnology's public enterprise, for young biotech startups and individual innovators. It gives up to INR 50 lakh as grant-in-aid for up to 18 months to turn an idea into a proof of concept, and eight BIG Partners across India mentor and monitor the grantees. BIRAC announces calls twice a year, on 1 January and 1 July, and they usually stay open for about 45 days. The latest awardee list on the page is BIG-24, so check the call page before you plan around a date.

8. Singapore: Startup SG Founder

Startup SG Founder from Enterprise Singapore supports first-time founders with mentoring and a startup grant of S$20,000 to S$50,000. It is open to Singapore citizens and permanent residents. The first applicant must be a first-time founder working full-time on the company, the founders must hold at least 30% of it, and you must put in paid-up capital equal to the grant (1:1). You apply through an Accredited Mentor Partner, which gives you a letter of recommendation and helps with pitching, investors and admin.

9. Singapore: Startup SG Tech

Startup SG Tech funds proprietary technology. Since 2 January 2025 the Proof-of-Concept grant is up to S$400,000 and the Proof-of-Value grant up to S$800,000, paid out by milestone. The company must be registered in Singapore within the past 10 years, be at least 30% owned by Singaporeans or permanent residents, do its core R&D in Singapore and show paid-up capital of at least 10% (POC) or 20% (POV) of the grant. It is not fully equity-free: Enterprise Singapore gets the right to subscribe for shares. You start with a registration of interest form.

10. Hong Kong: Cyberport Incubation Programme (deadline 1 December 2026)

The Cyberport Incubation Programme is for digital tech companies limited by shares, incorporated in Hong Kong less than seven years before the deadline or in the process of incorporating, with founders holding at least 51%. Cyberport lists up to HK$500,000 of financial assistance over a 24-month programme and no application fee. Its timeline lists 1 December 2026 as the deadline for the February 2027 intake, but in October 2026 the page also said the programme is being enhanced and that the next intake will open soon, so check the page before you apply.

11. South Korea: K-Startup Grand Challenge

The K-Startup Grand Challenge of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups helps foreign startups enter, incorporate and grow in Korea. According to the 2026 guidelines, all CEOs must be non-Korean and the company must be no older than seven years (ten in new industries). The 2026 round selects about 100 teams; 40 get participation grants of KRW 4 million twice, the top 20 at the December 2026 Demo Day win KRW 5 million to KRW 100 million, and the top eight get growth grants of KRW 20 million to KRW 50 million in April 2027, plus visa, incorporation and office support. The 2026 call ran from 6 May to 17 June 2026 and is closed; the 2027 call had not been announced when we checked.
For more support in the region, see our guides to startup incubators in Asia and grants for women entrepreneurs in Asia.

Australia and Africa

12. Australia: Industry Growth Program (paused)

The Industry Growth Program connects startups and SMEs with an adviser and then lets them apply for matched grants: A$50,000 to A$250,000 for early-stage commercialisation (feasibility, proof of concept, prototypes) and A$100,000 to A$5 million for commercialisation and growth. Projects must fall within the National Reconstruction Fund priority areas, such as resources, agriculture, transport, medical science, renewables, defence and enabling capabilities. Status: business.gov.au says the programme is currently paused to new applications.

13. Africa: Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme

The TEF Entrepreneurship Programme is a philanthropic programme for young founders in all 54 African countries. Selected entrepreneurs get US$5,000 of non-refundable seed capital, business training and mentoring. The 2026 call was open from 1 January to 1 March 2026 on TEFConnect; the 2027 call had not been announced when we checked (October 2026).

Grant Dates for Your Calendar

These are the next fixed dates from the programmes above. NRC IRAP, FAPESP PIPE and Tnufa are not on it because they take applications at any time, and Startup SG lists no fixed deadlines.

Grants for Startups in Europe

If your company is in the EU, the UK, Norway or Switzerland, the main options are the EIC Accelerator, the EIC Pre-Accelerator for widening countries, Eurostars and national grants such as Germany's exist, France's Bourse French Tech or Sweden's Vinnova. We cover them in our guide to grants for early-stage startups in Europe linked above, and women founders have a separate list of grants for female entrepreneurs in Europe.

Programmes Closed, Changed or Removed

These were in the 2025 version of this article or are often still listed elsewhere:
  • SBIR and STTR lapse: authorisation lapsed on 30 September 2025 and was restored in 2026 (see above). Agencies restarted on their own timelines, so old solicitation dates no longer apply.
  • Startup India Seed Fund Scheme: the SISFS portal set 31 May 2026 as the last date for startup applications. No new call was announced when we checked.
  • Callaghan Innovation (New Zealand): disestablished; its startup support and R&D grants have moved to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE).
  • Industry Growth Program (Australia): paused to new applications.
  • EIC Accelerator and EIC Pathfinder: European programmes, now covered in our Europe guide.
  • Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub: cloud credits, not a cash grant. Microsoft says qualified startups can reach up to $150,000 over time, based on Azure usage.
  • 500 Global Flagship Accelerator: an equity investment, not a grant.
  • Amazon Business Small Business Grant, Santander X Cultivate, Pitch Perfect, Giving Joy, Jobber, EmpowHER, the Pollination Project and the Visa Everywhere Initiative: small-business contests and micro-grants that run in yearly rounds, often for one sector, and the 2025 version only cited third-party roundups for them. Women-only ones are in our guide to grants for female entrepreneurs.
  • Illinois Tech Incubator Enhancement and Small Business Capital and Infrastructure grants: state grants for incubator buildings and for disadvantaged small businesses, not for early-stage startups in general.

Which Grant Should You Apply For?

  • You run a US deep tech startup: send an NSF Project Pitch now; with an invitation, aim for 4 March 2027. Check the other ten SBIR agencies for topics that fit.
  • You run a Canadian tech company: contact NRC IRAP; there is no deadline.
  • You are in São Paulo: FAPESP PIPE Phase 1, submitted at any time.
  • You can relocate for a few months: Start-Up Chile from 3 November 2026, or the K-Startup Grand Challenge when the 2027 call opens.
  • You are in Israel: Tnufa, open all year, before you raise a seed round.
  • You are a biotech founder in India: the next BIRAC BIG call.
  • You are a Singaporean first-time founder: Startup SG Founder through a mentor partner; Startup SG Tech once you have proprietary technology.
  • You are in Africa: prepare a TEF application before the 2027 call.

How Founders Combine Grants With Other Funding

Grants take months and pay for R&D, not for everything, so most founders combine them with other money. When you are ready for investors, compare early-stage VC firms, angel investors in North America, deep tech VCs in North America and early-stage VCs in Asia. Because nearly every grant here depends on where your company is registered, also read our ranking of the best countries for early-stage startups and startup cities in North America before you incorporate.
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FAQ About Grants for Early-Stage Startups

Are SBIR and STTR grants available again?

Yes. Their authorisation lapsed on 30 September 2025, and the Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act reauthorised them in 2026. NSF has relaunched its programme, with full-proposal deadlines on 4 November 2026, 4 March 2027 and 7 July 2027.

How much does the NSF give a startup?

Up to $305,000 in Phase I for 6 to 18 months and up to $1,250,000 in Phase II, and it takes no equity. You first need an invitation after sending a Project Pitch.

Can a foreign founder get a US SBIR grant?

The company must be a US small business with no more than 500 employees, and for NSF the principal investigator must be at least 51% employed by it and authorised to work in the US. A foreign founder therefore needs a US company and a qualifying team.

Which startup grants accept founders from any country?

Start-Up Chile accepts founders of any nationality who run the programme from Chile, and the K-Startup Grand Challenge is only for non-Korean CEOs who want to enter Korea. The TEF programme is open to founders in all 54 African countries.

Which grants are open all year?

NRC IRAP in Canada, FAPESP PIPE in São Paulo and the Tnufa programme in Israel accept applications at any time. Startup SG Founder and Startup SG Tech in Singapore list no fixed deadlines on their pages.

Do I have to give up equity for these grants?

Most take no equity. The exceptions to check are Startup SG Tech, where Enterprise Singapore gets a share subscription right, and Tnufa, which you repay as royalties on sales.

Is there still a Startup India seed grant?

The Startup India Seed Fund Scheme closed to new startup applications on 31 May 2026. Biotech startups can still apply to BIRAC's Biotechnology Ignition Grant, up to INR 50 lakh.

What startup grants are there in Australia?

The Industry Growth Program offers matched grants of A$50,000 to A$5 million, but it is currently paused to new applications.

Where can I find grants for startups in Europe?

In our separate guide to grants for early-stage startups in Europe, linked at the top of this article, which covers the EIC Accelerator, Eurostars and national programmes country by country.

Where can I get a backlink by writing about my startup?

You can publish a guest post in one of the Fe/male Switch startup blogs, which rank in Google and in AI tools. Get a quality backlink.

About the Author

Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
2026-10-29 19:59 Top 15