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2025-04-23 09:26 Top 10

Top 10 Grants for DeepTech Startups in North America in 2025

Top 10 Grants for DeepTech Startups in North America in 2025

The deep tech ecosystem in North America is on the rise, and 2025 promises to be a pivotal year for startups focusing on advanced technologies. Grants play a critical role in helping these ventures secure the necessary funding to develop innovative solutions. Below is a detailed list of the Top 10 Grants for DeepTech Startups in North America for 2025, including eligibility criteria, funding opportunities, application processes, and useful links.
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1. NSF Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs (America's Seed Fund)

Funding Amount: Up to $2 million
Eligibility: US-owned, US-based companies with fewer than 500 employees.
Application Process: Start with a written project pitch. If approved, a full proposal is invited.
Description: Managed by the National Science Foundation (NSF), these programs provide seed funding for small businesses involved in R&D across various tech sectors, including AI and robotics. They aim to bridge the “valley of death” for startups by facilitating future venture capital investments.
Learn more about NSF SBIR/STTR

2. NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) Program

Funding Amount: A maximum of $2.625 million for selected projects.
Eligibility: Companies and institutions in the US with visionary aerospace concepts.
Application Process: Proposals can be submitted through NASA's public solicitation channels.
Description: This program focuses on funding early-stage studies of revolutionary aerospace concepts, not for direct commercialization, but for studying innovative technologies that can transform future space missions.
Discover more about NIAC
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3. Economic Development Administration (EDA) Grants

Funding Amount: Up to $1.5 million for Venture Challenge; up to $400,000 for Capital Challenge.
Eligibility: Organizations that assist companies in technological development must match at least 50% of total project costs.
Application Process: Applications are submitted through grants.gov.
Description: The EDA provides grants aimed at fostering new technology development and supporting organizations in the tech sector, but competition can be intense.
Find out more about EDA Grants

4. NSF Fellowships (Activate Anywhere)

Funding Amount: Not specified, but critical for first-time founders.
Eligibility: Deep tech founders engaged in research and innovation.
Application Process: Specific program applications are available on the NSF website.
Description: The Activate Anywhere program connects technical founders with mentorship and investment opportunities across overlooked regions in the US, driving diversity and innovation in deep tech.
Explore NSF Fellowships

5. Tech Hubs Program (U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration)

Funding Amount: Grants range from approximately $22 million to $48 million.
Eligibility: Designated Tech Hubs (31 in total as of October 2023).
Application Process: Selected tech hubs will receive invites to apply.
Description: This program aims to enhance production of critical technologies and job creation across the US, enhancing economic competitiveness in emerging technological sectors.
Learn more about Tech Hubs
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6. Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) - Innovation Fund

Funding Amount: Not specified, aimed at large-scale projects.
Eligibility: Canadian research institutions focusing on technology development.
Application Process: Must meet criteria for competitiveness and collaborative efforts.
Description: The CFI supports infrastructure and collaborative research projects that enhance the global competitiveness of Canadian institutions in technology development.
Discover CFI Innovation Fund

7. Global NY STEP Grants

Funding Amount: Not specified, aimed at supporting international growth.
Eligibility: Startups based in New York seeking to enter global markets.
Application Process: Applications can be submitted through specific international expansion programs.
Description: These grants are designed for New York startups looking to expand internationally, providing support for their global outreach efforts.
Learn more about Global NY STEP Grants

8. State and Local Government Grants

Funding Amount: Varies widely depending on the specific grant.
Eligibility: Typically requires applicants to be based within the regional or state jurisdiction.
Application Process: Varies, generally involves applications to regional government entities.
Description: Many local governments offer grants to promote innovation and economic development, specifically targeting projects that contribute positively to regional growth.
Explore State and Local Government Grants

9. WomensNet Amber Grant & Black Girl Ventures (BGV) Pitch

Funding Amount: Monthly $10,000 grants plus $25,000 yearly and additional funding at BGV events.
Eligibility: Women-owned businesses; BGV specifically focuses on women of color.
Application Process: The Amber Grant awards monthly; BGV Pitch events are held regularly throughout the year.
Description: These grants are dedicated to supporting women entrepreneurs, promoting diversity in entrepreneurship, and providing essential resources needed for women-led businesses.
Find out more about WomensNet Amber Grant

10. Other Federal Grants

Funding Amount: Varies by program and specific grant.
Eligibility: Varies widely based on grant specifications.
Application Process: Application processes differ across programs.
Description: The U.S. Government offers numerous other grants across diverse sectors, aimed at fostering business growth in targeted areas.
Discover more about Other Federal Grants
This list provides a robust overview of grant opportunities available for deep tech startups in 2025, helping to navigate the funding landscape for emerging technologies.
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FAQ

Q: What is the NSF SBIR/STTR program?
A: The NSF Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Programs provide seed funding to small businesses for research and development in various tech areas. Learn more about NSF.
Q: How does the NASA NIAC Program support startups?
A: The NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts Program funds early-stage studies of innovative aerospace concepts, focusing on revolutionary ideas rather than commercialization. Discover NASA NIAC.
Q: What are Economic Development Administration (EDA) Grants?
A: EDA Grants aim to support organizations that help develop new technologies, with funding varying up to $1.5 million for programs like the Venture Challenge. Find out more about EDA Grants.
Q: What is the NSF Fellowships (Activate Anywhere) program?
A: This NSF initiative connects technical founders with mentors and investors, particularly in overlooked regions, to foster innovation and investment. Learn about NSF Fellowships.
Q: How much funding can be obtained through the Tech Hubs Program?
A: The Tech Hubs Program offers grants ranging approximately from $22 million to $48 million to designated Tech Hubs, supporting critical technologies and economic competitiveness. Check more on the Tech Hubs Program.
Q: What does the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) Innovation Fund do?
A: The CFI Innovation Fund supports large-scale research and technology development projects with a focus on enhancing equitable participation among experts. Find out more about CFI.
Q: What opportunities do the Global NY STEP Grants provide?
A: These grants assist New York-based startups in their efforts to expand into international markets, helping them grow globally. Learn more about Global NY STEP Grants.
Q: How do State and Local Government Grants function?
A: State and local governments offer grants that can vary widely to promote regional economic development and innovation, often with specific eligibility criteria based on location. Discover more about State and Local Grants.
Q: What is the WomensNet Amber Grant?
A: The Amber Grant provides funding specifically to women-owned businesses, offering a monthly $10,000 grant and additional funding resources. Learn more about the Amber Grant.
Q: What types of Federal Grants are available for startups?
A: The U.S. Government offers a variety of federal grants aimed at supporting business growth across different sectors; eligibility and amounts vary by program. Check more about Federal Grants.

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.