Top 10 Grants for EdTech Startups Globally in 2025
As the education landscape evolves with more integration of technology, numerous funding opportunities are becoming available for EdTech startups. These grants not only support innovative solutions but also help make education more accessible and effective worldwide. Here's a detailed look at the Top 10 Grants for EdTech Startups in 2025 that aspiring entrepreneurs should consider.
Boost Your SEO by Getting Featured in Our Blogs and get a backlink.
We publish content about startups, education, tech, funding, etc. that ranks well not only in Google but also in Perplexity, ChatGPT, Grok and other AI tools.
👉 Get featured now!
1. U.S. Department of Education - Education Innovation and Research (EIR) Program
Description: This program funds early-phase, mid-phase, and expansion projects aimed at enhancing educational outcomes for students. Projects with a technology component are typically prioritized.
Target Area: K-12 and higher education in the U.S.
Estimated Grant Amount: Varies widely, with amounts ranging from several hundred thousand to millions USD.
Data Points:
- Focus: Innovation in education and evidence-based practices.
- Grant Type: Discretionary grants for research, development, and implementation.
- Geographic Focus: Primarily the U.S. but beneficial globally.
- Funding Stages: Covers all stages from early research to expansion.
- Application Process: Competitive with a strong focus on research rigor.
- Learn more about EIR Program
2. Global Partnership for Education (GPE) - Education Out Loud Grants
Description: GPE offers grants to civil society organizations for advocacy and accountability work in education, focusing on marginalized populations.
Target Area: Developing countries that are GPE partner countries.
Estimated Grant Amount: Up to $133 million total available across three funding components, with variable amounts per component.
Data Points:
- Focus: Strengthening civil society engagement in education policy.
- Grant Type: Advocacy and social accountability funding.
- Geographic Focus: Developing regions where GPE has partnerships.
- Funding Stages: Supports ongoing activities, not limited to startups.
- Application Process: Competitive; national and international organizations can apply.
- Visit the GPE website
3. Nesta - EdTech Innovation Fund (UK)
Description: Nesta runs programs to support EdTech innovations in the UK that improve educational outcomes. Typical grants can reach up to £100,000.
Target Area: EdTech organizations based in the UK.
Estimated Grant Amount: Up to £100,000, subject to change.
Data Points:
- Focus: Enhancing digital learning tools and their accessibility.
- Grant Type: Project-based grants for development and scaling.
- Geographic Focus: Primarily UK; potential for wider impact.
- Funding Stages: Early-stage product development and expansion.
- Application Process: Competitive applications focusing on specific challenges.
- Learn more about Nesta
4. The American Honda Foundation
Description: This foundation funds initiatives in STEM education, particularly those utilizing technology.
Target Area: K-12 schools and non-profit organizations in the U.S.
Estimated Grant Amount: Ranges from $20,000 to $75,000.
Data Points:
- Focus: STEM education through technology integration.
- Grant Type: Project grants for schools and non-profits.
- Geographic Focus: United States.
- Funding Stages: Supports the implementation of projects.
- Application Process: Competitive with an emphasis on innovative curriculum development.
- Explore Honda Foundation grants
Join F/MS: Startup Facilitator & Incubator and unlock your startup dreams today! Get your first customers, register you company in the Netherlands and get startup visas for the team.
5. UNICEF - Blue Unicorn Farm Initiative
Description: This initiative seeks innovative EdTech solutions capable of bridging learning gaps, particularly in low-resource settings.
Target Area: Global focus on children, especially in underserved areas.
Estimated Grant Amount: Up to $150,000 USD.
Data Points:
- Focus: Effective EdTech tools for improved learning outcomes.
- Grant Type: Funding for development, scaling, and deployment.
- Geographic Focus: Global, emphasizing low-resource environments.
- Funding Stages: Supports development and implementation of evidence-backed tools.
- Application Process: Competitive, aimed at tech companies, academic institutions, and non-profits.
- More about UNICEF initiatives
6. Jacobs Foundation - Learning EdTech Impact Funds (LEIF)
Description: LEIF connects researchers with EdTech firms and invests in venture capital funds dedicated to impactful, evidence-based education solutions.
Target Area: Global EdTech companies focusing on impactful and scalable solutions.
Estimated Grant Amount: Indirect funding through venture capital funds.
Data Points:
- Focus: Evidence-based practices and effective solutions.
- Grant Type: Investments into venture capital funds and research collaboration grants.
- Geographic Focus: Global.
- Funding Stages: Focus on scaling viable products in the EdTech space.
- Application Process: Applications through partnering venture capital funds.
- Learn more about Jacobs Foundation
7. Mastercard Foundation - EdTech Fellowship
Description: This fellowship supports African EdTech companies with mentorship and business support to promote sustainability and impactful solutions.
Target Area: EdTech initiatives based in Africa.
Estimated Grant Amount: Includes business support and access to capital, specifics vary.
Data Points:
- Focus: Scaling impactful EdTech solutions across Africa.
- Grant Type: Fellowship with business and financial resources.
- Geographic Focus: Africa.
- Funding Stages: Concentrated on scaling viable ventures.
- Application Process: Competitive; applications are through partnering innovation hubs.
- Discover Mastercard Foundation
8. European Digital Education Hub - Funding Opportunities
Description: This hub details various funding initiatives that aim to enhance digital education across Europe.
Target Area: Programs varying based on specific calls, generally within the European Union.
Estimated Grant Amount: Varies widely according to specific funding opportunities, potentially in the millions.
Data Points:
- Focus: Digital skills, innovation, and technology in education.
- Grant Type: Varies, including grants for development and research.
- Geographic Focus: European Union.
- Funding Stages: Specific to program focus.
- Application Process: Applications depend on the specific calls, with varying requirements.
- Check the European Digital Education Hub
9. IMPACT EdTech - ISDI Accelerator
Description: Provides funding, mentoring, and resources to EdTech startups located in Europe.
Target Area: European EdTech startups.
Estimated Grant Amount: Up to €87,388 per startup, previous rounds.
Data Points:
- Focus: Inclusive education, personalized learning, and skills development.
- Grant Type: Equity-free funding with mentoring support.
- Geographic Focus: Primarily European Union.
- Funding Stages: Focuses on MVP validation and growth.
- Application Process: Competitive, based on educational impact metrics.
- Learn more about IMPACT EdTech
10. Go-Together EdTech Accelerator
Description: This program offers support and mentorship to EdTech startups to maximize their societal impact through effective evaluation methods.
Target Area: Global EdTech companies.
Estimated Grant Amount: Not specified; includes accelerator resources and connections.
Data Points:
- Focus: The societal impact of EdTech solutions.
- Grant Type: Accelerator program.
- Geographic Focus: Global.
- Funding Stages: Emphasis on evaluating startup competencies.
- Application Process: Open to various EdTech startups.
- Find out more about the Go-Together program
FAQ
Q: What is the U.S. Department of Education's EIR Program?
A: The EIR Program provides grants for projects aimed at improving educational outcomes, particularly with a technology component. Learn more about the EIR Program.
Q: What are the Education Out Loud Grants offered by GPE?
A: These grants are aimed at civil society organizations to promote advocacy and social accountability in education, focusing on marginalized populations. Discover more about GPE's Education Out Loud Grants.
Q: What does the Nesta EdTech Innovation Fund aim to do?
A: This fund supports EdTech innovation in the UK by focusing on evidence-based approaches and improving access to technology for educational outcomes. Explore Nesta's EdTech Innovation Fund.
Q: How does the American Honda Foundation support education?
A: This foundation provides grants for STEM initiatives that integrate technology, focusing on K-12 schools and non-profits in the US. Find out more about the American Honda Foundation.
Q: What is the Blue Unicorn Farm Initiative by UNICEF?
A: This initiative supports the development of innovative EdTech tools that bridge learning gaps, particularly in low-resource settings. Learn more about UNICEF's initiative.
Q: What does the Jacobs Foundation's LEIF support?
A: The Learning EdTech Impact Funds (LEIF) connects researchers with EdTech companies, investing in evidence-based solutions that can be scaled for impact. Check out the Jacobs Foundation.
Q: What opportunities does the Mastercard Foundation's EdTech Fellowship provide?
A: This fellowship offers support to EdTech companies in Africa, focusing on business support, mentorship, and access to capital for scaling solutions. Discover more about the Mastercard Foundation's EdTech Fellowship.
Q: What is the European Digital Education Hub's focus?
A: This hub lists various funding opportunities for digital education initiatives across Europe, supporting projects that enhance digital skills and educational technology. Learn more about the European Digital Education Hub.
Q: What type of support does the IMPACT EdTech Accelerator offer?
A: This accelerator provides funding, mentoring, and other resources to help EdTech startups in Europe grow and validate their solutions. Explore IMPACT EdTech.
Q: What is the aim of the Go-Together EdTech Accelerator?
A: This program supports EdTech startups by providing mentorship and evaluation to enhance their societal impact and project effectiveness. Find out more about the Go-Together EdTech Accelerator.
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.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities.