Top 20 Grants for EdTech Startups in North America in 2025
The education technology (EdTech) sector is booming, and 2025 promises to offer a wealth of grants to support innovative startups. Providing financial support to companies working to enhance educational experiences, these grants focus on a range of areas from technological advancement to equitable learning access. Here’s a comprehensive list of the Top 20 Grants for EdTech Startups in North America for 2025.
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1. U.S. Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences (IES) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program
Funding Amount: Up to $1.25 million in research and development grants
Eligibility: Companies with fewer than 500 employees
Focus: Development of new EdTech products, especially those utilizing AI
Key Data Points: This program offers $10 million annually in funding and emphasizes innovation in educational tools. Proposals for 2025 were due by January 8, 2025, with a noticeable trend towards AI-focused projects being supported.
2. NSW Going Global Export Program
Funding Amount: Free support for exporting EdTech products to the USA
Eligibility: Australian businesses with a valid ABN
Focus: Assisting Australian EdTech firms in entering the U.S. market
Key Data Points: Running from December 2024 to April 2025, this program coincides with SXSW EDU 2025, highlighting trends like personalized learning and data privacy solutions in the U.S.
3. Illinois Tech Incubator Enhancement Grant (TIEG)
Funding Amount: Capital grants for incubator facilities and equipment
Eligibility: Tech incubators located in Illinois
Focus: Modernizing tech spaces for startups
Key Data Points: The application deadline is March 17, 2025. This grant aims to support the growth of key growth industries and improve service and equipment offerings for startups.
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4. Small Business Capital and Infrastructure Grant Program
Funding Amount: Financial assistance for capital improvement projects
Eligibility: Socially and economically disadvantaged individuals or very small businesses in Illinois
Focus: Strengthening operations and sustainability of small businesses
Key Data Points: The deadline for applications is April 7, 2025, with an emphasis on job creation and supporting capital improvement projects.
5. UNICEF's Blue Unicorn EdTech Initiative
Funding Amount: Up to $150,000 per selected EdTech tool
Eligibility: Companies, academic institutions, and non-profits with evidence-based tools
Focus: Transforming learning outcomes in low-resource settings
Key Data Points: Launched in June 2024, selected tools will be highlighted on the Learning Cabinet platform, aiming to positively impact education for millions.
6. Learning Technology Grant - New York State Education Department
Funding Amount: Not specifically detailed, but promotes collaborative program development
Eligibility: Public school districts, BOCES, and religious/independent schools in New York
Focus: Collaborating to enhance the usage of EdTech in education
Key Data Points: The program spans from January 1, 2025, to June 30, 2027, aiming to increase equitable access to high-quality education.
7. Lenovo Evolve Small Initiative Grants
Funding Amount: $25,000 cash grant + $10,000 AI technology package
Eligibility: Businesses in North America (excluding Quebec) with under $7.5M revenue
Focus: Support small businesses with funding, technology, and mentorship
Key Data Points: Launched in 2021, the initiative includes mentorship programs to guide applicants through business and tech development.
8. Various Education Grants
Funding Amount: Varies significantly
Eligibility: K-12 schools, districts, and higher education institutions
Focus: Supporting diverse educational initiatives across various domains
Key Data Points: Grants available cover a range of initiatives from STEM to equity in education, providing resources like grant writing guides for increased application success.
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9. Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Grants
Funding Amount: Varies
Eligibility: EdTech startups focusing on adaptive learning or VR technologies
Focus: Provide non-dilutive funding
Key Data Points: These grants offer research resource access and collaboration opportunities with the aim of supporting the innovative industries in EdTech.
10. Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
Funding Amount: Varies significantly
Eligibility: U.S. 501(c)(3) organizations and other tax-exempt entities
Focus: A range of educational initiatives including equity and innovation
Key Data Points: Focused on fighting poverty and inequity globally, this foundation is open to funding diverse educational projects. Specific details for EdTech grants in 2025 may evolve as the year progresses.
11. EdTech Partners Grant Initiative
Funding Amount: Up to $200,000
Eligibility: EdTech startups with innovative learning solutions
Focus: Fostering partnerships to enhance educational outcomes
Key Data Points: Applications open in early 2025, focusing on solutions that improve K-12 education.
12. National Science Foundation (NSF) Educational Innovation Grants
Funding Amount: Up to $500,000
Eligibility: Startups focusing on STEM education innovation
Focus: Promoting innovative approaches to STEM education
Key Data Points: Grant applications are due in February 2025, supporting innovative educational research and development.
13. K resge Foundation Digital Inclusion Grants
Funding Amount: Up to $250,000
Eligibility: Nonprofits and EdTech startups improving digital inclusion
Focus: Addressing barriers to technology access for underserved communities
Key Data Points: Ongoing applications, emphasizing programs that enhance digital literacy and bridge the technology gap.
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14. E-rate Funding Program
Funding Amount: Varied depending on the proposal
Eligibility: K-12 schools and libraries
Focus: Supporting educational technology needs including internet access and devices
Key Data Points: The annual funding cycle with applications typically opening in early spring each year.
15. Ford Foundation Education and Technology Grants
Funding Amount: Varies
Eligibility: Nonprofits and social enterprises focusing on education equity
Focus: Innovative solutions to achieve equitable educational access
Key Data Points: Foundation focuses on systemic changes in education to enhance equity, with a variety of funding opportunities likely in 2025.
16. National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Digital Humanities Grants
Funding Amount: Up to $500,000
Eligibility: Nonprofits, educational institutions, and startups with humanities-related technology projects
Focus: Supporting projects that bring digital technology to humanities education
Key Data Points: Grant applications typically open twice a year, focusing on projects that enhance understanding and teaching of humanities through technology.
17. TechSoup Technology Grants
Funding Amount: Varies by project
Eligibility: Nonprofits and libraries
Focus: Providing discounted technology resources and grants
Key Data Points: Ongoing program aimed at enhancing the technological capabilities of nonprofits serving educational purposes.
18. Digital Equity Act Grants
Funding Amount: TBD
Eligibility: State and tribal governments, nonprofit organizations
Focus: Bridging digital equity gaps across communities
Key Data Points: This newly established program will distribute funds aimed at digital equity in education technologies.
19. Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Grants
Funding Amount: Up to $100,000
Eligibility: Libraries and museums innovating in educational programming
Focus: Enhancing educational experiences using technology
Key Data Points: Annually funded grants that encourage collaboration between libraries and educational entities, suitable for tech-enhanced solutions.
20. American Educational Research Association (AERA) Grants
Funding Amount: Varies
Eligibility: Education researchers and startups focusing on educational research initiatives
Focus: Supporting research that informs educational practices
Key Data Points: Grant opportunities open in the spring of 2025, focusing on proposals that contribute valuable insights into the education sector.
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FAQ
Q: What is the U.S. Department of Education's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program?
A: The SBIR Program provides up to $1.25 million in research and development grants for companies developing new EdTech products, particularly in AI. Learn more at Government Technology.
Q: What kind of support does the NSW Going Global Export Program offer?
A: This program offers free support to Australian EdTech businesses looking to expand into the U.S. market. Details can be found at Investment NSW.
Q: What is the Illinois Tech Incubator Enhancement Program (TIEG)?
A: TIEG provides capital grants for facilities and equipment at tech incubators in Illinois aimed at modernizing and revitalizing resources for startups. More information is available at Illinois.gov.
Q: Who can apply for the Small Business Capital and Infrastructure Grant Program in Illinois?
A: This grant is for businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals or very small businesses in Illinois. Learn more about qualifications at Illinois.gov.
Q: What does UNICEF's Blue Unicorn EdTech Initiative support?
A: This initiative funds EdTech tools that bridge learning gaps, especially in low-resource settings, offering up to $150,000 per selected tool. Find out more at fundsforngos.org.
Q: What is the Learning Technology Grant from the New York State Education Department?
A: This grant promotes the development of collaborative programs using educational technology in New York State and spans from January 2025 to June 2027. More details are provided at nysed.gov.
Q: What benefits does Lenovo's Evolve Small Initiative Grants offer?
A: Lenovo provides a $25,000 cash grant and a $10,000 AI technology package to eligible businesses, along with mentorship opportunities. Inquire further at LegalZoom.
Q: What types of education grants are available through various organizations?
A: Numerous grants are offered to support educational initiatives, covering a range of areas like STEM, literacy, and professional development. For more information on these grants, visit Tech & Learning.
Q: What do the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Grants provide?
A: These grants provide non-dilutive funding to EdTech startups with a focus on technologies like adaptive learning or VR. More specifics can be found at ucats.org.
Q: How does the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation contribute to education?
A: The foundation awards grants to U.S. 501(c)(3) organizations focusing on a variety of education-related areas, though 2025 specifics might not yet be detailed. More about their grant opportunities can be explored at gatesfoundation.org.
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. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond and launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks.
