External Funding Opportunities

Research Funding

WMF Startup Competition

Due Date: April 2, 2023

The WMF Startup Competition, one of the biggest international startup competitions in the world, is accepting applications for its 2023 festival. Applicants should be a part of a startup capable of making a positive impact on the environment or society. Accepted teams will have the opportunity to pitch to an audience and investors on a worldwide platform, as well as access to other events at the convention, networking opportunities, and a cash prize. To learn more and apply by April 2, 2023

2023 CTO ACCELERATOR

Due Date: April 16, 2023

Cleantech Open is looking for the world's most promising startups in the cleantech industry! Do you have an idea that has the potential to solve an environmental or energy challenge? Apply to the 2023 accelerator to gain access to a full business development program, that includes expert mentorsinvestor networking opportunities, industry connections, and a chance to compete regionally and nationally for cash prizes and in-kind services to launch your venture.

CleanTech Open

Deadline: April 16, 2023

Cleantech Open is looking for the world's most promising startups in the cleantech industry! Do you have an idea that has the potential to solve an environmental or energy challenge? Apply to the 2023 accelerator to gain access to a full business development program, that includes expert mentorsinvestor networking opportunities, industry connections, and a chance to compete regionally and nationally for cash prizes and in-kind services to launch your venture.

Carbon Management Collegiate Competition

Due Date: April 17, 2023

US Dept of Energy Carbon Management Prize Deadline February 28 Want to have a shot at winning several thousand dollars and come up with an innovative plan to reduce carbon emissions? You are invited by the U.S. Department of Energy to enter the $25K Carbon Management Prize.   This prize seeks interdisciplinary teams of students - from engineering, chemistry, and the social sciences. Check it out and begin following the prize.

ALPHA Startup

Due Date: No explicit deadline found, conference is June 26-29, 2023

The Collision Conference is accepting tech startup applicants for its 2023 ALPHA startup program. Accepted applicants will have an opportunity to showcase their product to attendees, journalists, and investors at the conference in late June. They will also have access to masterclasses, competitions, mentoring, and networking opportunities. The Collision Conference takes place in Toronto, CA, from June 26-29

Empower Digital Grant

Due Date: June 30, 2023

The Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation offers the Empower Digital Grant for small businesses that are looking to improve their business digitally, such as through investing in web design, SEO optimization, or cybersecurity. Small businesses owned by socially or economically disadvantaged individuals will be given additional consideration. Applicants must be nominated by a SBTA Sponsor; potential applicants without a sponsor can be introduced to relevant SBTA providers that may choose to partner with them. Successful applicants can expect up to $5k per approved grant. To learn more and apply by June 30, 2023

Power Forward Small Business Grant

Due Date: NONE; rolling application

The Power Forward Small Business Grant is targeted at black-owned small businesses that can showcase how they intend to use the grant to further their impact on their community. Approved applicants receive $25k in funding, along with the opportunity to be featured in natural programming and resources for both marketing and design. There is no deadline; rewards are granted on a rolling basis.

EDITOR’S NOTE: additional link found: https://usbusinessgrants.org/grants/power-forward-small-business-grant.html

Seed Investments Program

Deadline: Rolling
The Seed Investments Program is a two-stage investment program that provides up to $250,000 in convertible notes to pre-seed or seed-stage clean energy startups. The program exists to support companies as they advance and commercialize clean energy technologies and business models.

Venture Lane | Connex

Deadline: Rolling
Venture Lane will be piloting a new virtual membership in Q2 called Venture Lane Connect. The membership will enable B2B startup founders based in Boston to tap into Venture Lane’s curated network, weekly programming focused on go-to-market strategy, $400K in perks like AWS and Microsoft Azure, and other resources for early-stage growth. Interested B2B startup founders and their teams can sign up for the private beta in the below button.

Procter & Gamble Ventures

Deadline: Rolling

P&G Ventures is an early stage startup studio within Procter & Gamble that partners with entrepreneurs to  accelerate billion dollar ideas that improve consumers’ lives. Focus areas include nontoxic home and garden, women’s health, anti-aging, daily wellness, and cleaning/sanitizing.

Massachusetts Clean Energy Center Seed Investments

Deadline: Rolling

The Seed Investments Program is a two-stage investment program that provides up to $250,000 in convertible notes to pre-seed or seed-stage clean energy startups. The program exists to support companies as they advance and commercialize clean energy technologies and business models.Massachusetts-based applicants whose primary business fits the MassCEC definition of “clean energy” (defined in the MassCEC Enabling Legislation), and that are currently based in, or intend to relocate to Massachusetts, are eligible to apply.

.406 Ventures Fellowship

For: Undergraduate and graduate-student entrepreneurs
Rolling Deadlines

The .406 Ventures Student Fellowship is a two-year program for exceptional student entrepreneurs. Selected students are given access to mentorship from experienced venture capitalists, $20k+ in vendor credits, and a dedicated network of founders. Former fellows have gone on to IPOs, acquisitions, and top companies such as Google and Amazon. Please note that this fellowship is only for students who have already started a company or plan to within the next two years; students with a primary interest in Venture Capital should look elsewhere. To apply, you must have at least two years left at your current academic institution. Please see the following link for more information: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gPeZRlK73n0X4PzESmhFasp5UjDubimV/view?usp=sharing

US Dept of Health and Human Services ENACT Funding

For: University researchers in a range of disciplines, including data science, epidemiology, biochemistry, and more
Rolling Deadlines
Rapid diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases are critical to both the patient and the broader community. ENACT (Early Notification to Act, Control, and Treat) partners with innovators to develop disruptive technologies that detect, prognosticate outcomes, and enable early intervention following exposures to both natural and man-made infectious threats. To learn more about the ENACT program, please see more on the ENACT Program Factsheet:

P&G Venture Studio

Rolling Deadlines

Are you an inventor, entrepreneur, or startup founder interested in accessing the resources, networks, and knowledge of a multibillion-dollar company? If so, you may be interested in applying for a partnership with the Procter & Gamble studio. They are specifically interested in startups in the fields of chronic conditions, non-toxic home and garden, personal performance, male and female wellness, sleep, active aging, or menopause with patents or pathways for such.

They describe themselves as a different type of Venture Capital firm that is interested in a partnership rather than a traditional VC investment. Many of the details of said partnership are left up in the air and open for negotiation.

Women-led startups funded by Female Founders Club

Rolling Deadlines
The Female Founders Fund invests in women-led startups that are impacting e-commerce, web-enabled products and services, marketplaces, and platforms.

NIH Innovation Grants to Nurture Initial Translational Efforts (IGNITE): Assay Development and Neurotherapeutic Agent Identification

Rolling Deadlines
This funding opportunity announcement (FOA) encourages research grant applications to develop in vitro and/or ex vivo assays and conduct iterative screening efforts to identify and characterize potential therapeutic agents for neurological disorders. 

iFundWomen Boston

Rolling Deadlines

Join iFundWomen if you are a Boston-area women-led startup to fundraise for your business and get your ideas launched.