Brandeis Innovation

Deadline: February 21, 2025 for Implementation applicants and optional for Catalyst, Scoping, and Technical Assistance applicants, Mar 28, 2025 - Final Applications Due

Launched in 2021, the Frankenthaler Climate Initiative is the leading private national program dedicated to addressing climate change within the visual arts sector. FCI supports museums, art schools, nonprofit arts organizations, artist residencies, and indigenous arts collectives in implementing sustainable solutions. To date, FCI has awarded over $14 million in grants as part of its $15-million, five-year commitment to climate action in the arts.

Deadline: February 21, 2025

The Breakthrough to Scale Program equips EdTech entrepreneurs with the tools to develop scalable strategies through a 12-week accelerator. The program focuses on four core pillars: product-market fit, team-building, funding pathways, and impact. Participants benefit from:

• Initial Capital & Milestone-Based Funding: Up to $200K in two phases.
• Expert Guidance: Masterclasses, 1:1 Venture Partner mentorship, and a network of 175+ mentors.
• AI Integration: Support in leveraging AI for innovative learning solutions.
• Post-Program Support: Connections to customers, partnerships, and future funders.

Eligibility includes a working product, early market entry, and at least $200K ARR. CEOs or co-founders must commit ~6 hours/week. Apply now to scale your EdTech startup!

Registration to attend a required informational webinar: https://calendly.com/sarah_fryar/llf-a-breakthrough-to-scale-informational-webinar?month=2025-01

Deadline: February 24, 2025

Administered by MassVentures, START provides grants and business guidance for Massachusetts-based startups which have already won a Phase II SBIR or STTR. This year, the START program will award 16 Stage I grants of $100K each. The most promising winners from last year will be eligible for additional grants of $200-500K. Opens February 1st.

Deadline: February 26, 2025

The Hanna H. Gray Fellows Program supports early career scientists in academic research. It provides up to $1.5 million in funding over 8 years, helping promising researchers from diverse backgrounds develop leadership skills, conduct innovative research, and become future scientific leaders. The program offers financial support during postdoctoral and faculty phases, along with professional development opportunities.

Deadline: February 28, 2025

Administered by MassVentures, the Founders School is a pre-accelerator program for underrepresented deep tech founders looking to build their businesses in Massachusetts. Applications for the second cohort are currently open.

Deadline: February 28, 2025

The Massachusetts AI Models Innovation Challenge is a grant program supporting the development of domain-specific AI models that drive scientific discovery, accelerate AI commercialization, or provide significant public benefits. As part of the Massachusetts AI Hub, this initiative prioritizes AI advancements in key sectors such as healthcare, life sciences, financial services, robotics, advanced manufacturing, climate tech, and education. Grants of up to $1 million are available for AI researchers and developers working on model training, fine-tuning, or adaptation. Eligible applicants include Massachusetts-based colleges, universities, and nonprofit research institutions, with collaboration from private sector partners encouraged. A 25% funding match is required.

Apply here

*To apply, submit your completed application electronically to proposals@masstech.org as well as the program manager, Megan Marszalek at marszalek@masstech.org*

Deadline: March 1, 2025

NGC offers various funding opportunities for Latin American researchers and students in grassland conservation, including:

Memorial Grants: These grants directly promote conservation research. Grants are one-year, unrestricted funds that can be used for direct or indirect costs, including salary.

Peter R. Kellogg Jr. Grant – Up to $10,000 for impactful projects.

Halsey M. Marsden Grant – $5,000 for conservation research.

Sue Wijdenes Grant – $5,000 for new research in the American tropics.

Derald G. Langham Grant – $2,000 for plant-focused research.

Deadline: March 4, 2025

The Stu Clark New Venture Championships is one of North America’s most prestigious entrepreneurship competitions, bringing together 32 top undergraduate and graduate teams to compete for over $60,000 in cash prizes. Taking place April 25–27, 2025, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, this event provides an opportunity for students to showcase their business plans, present video pitches, and gain exposure to investors, industry leaders, and experienced judges.

Undergraduate Edition:

Open to full-time and part-time undergraduate students from all academic backgrounds, this competition allows participants to compete individually or in teams of up to five members. Each team must have the endorsement of a faculty or staff advisor. The event provides a platform for students to present innovative ideas, receive expert feedback, and connect with the entrepreneurial community.

Graduate Edition:

Graduate students, including those in MBA, PhD, and other master's programs, are eligible to compete. Teams may include undergraduate members as long as the majority of participants are at the graduate level. Like the undergraduate track, teams must have faculty or staff advisor endorsement. Competitors will present their ventures to a panel of 45+ veteran judges, including Stu Clark, and gain valuable insights and networking opportunities.

 Undergraduates can apply here

Graduates can apply here

Deadline: March 7, 2025

MassTech Collaborative, MMAP Grants helps Massachusetts-based small to medium-sized manufacturers prepare their businesses to meet the demands of Industry 4.0 and the manufacturing of new technologies and innovations that align with key industries in the state.

Deadline: Noon (12 pm ET), Thursday, March 13, 2025

The AI VC Forum, a collaborative initiative between Glasswing Ventures, Tola Capital, Innospark Ventures, and TIE Boston, is driving innovation in Boston’s AI startup ecosystem.

Startups can access over $1B in combined investment experience, operational expertise from TIE Boston's network, and the chance to align with Governor Healey’s vision of positioning Massachusetts as an AI innovation hub.

Eligible AI startups (pre-seed, Seed, or Series A with a valuation under $20M) can apply to present at the AI VC Forum on March 25, 2025. Selected startups will benefit from introductions to leading VCs and angel investors, potential co-investments, and support to scale their ventures

Deadline: March 14, 2025

Administered jointly by Massachusetts Clean Energy Center and MassVentures, the Catalyst & DICES program provides grants of up to $75,000 to researchers and early-stage companies looking to demonstrate initial prototypes of their climate technologies.

Deadline: September 15 & March 15 
Full Proposal (by invitation): October 15 & April 15

The Eppley Foundation supports advanced, novel scientific research by PhD and MD researchers with an established publication record. Applicants must be affiliated with a U.S.-based nonprofit to receive funding. Grants may support research abroad if administered by a U.S. institution.

Deadline: March 16, 2025

The Founder Institute Boston is a fully virtual accelerator designed to turn ideas into fundable startups and scale them into global businesses. Running from April 30 to July 24, 2025, the program provides a structured methodology, expert mentorship, and a powerful support network. Entrepreneurs join an Equity Collective, gain access to lifelong resources, and follow a rigorous, results-driven process. With less than 40% completion, the program challenges founders to refine their vision and secure funding.

Deadline: March 21, 2025

Innosphere’s Life Sciences Incubator is a nine-month program designed to accelerate the success of high-impact life sciences startups. Entrepreneurs gain expert mentorship, strategic business development support, investor networking, and commercialization guidance—all without giving up equity. With a powerhouse network spanning six states and partnerships with nine R1 universities, participants receive tailored support to drive innovation and economic growth. The program has a proven track record, with past cohorts securing millions in funding, creating jobs, and forming key industry partnerships.

Startups in medical devices, health tech, digital health, diagnostics, and biopharma are encouraged to apply.

Deadline: April 1st, August 1st, and December 1st 2025

This program provides basic science equipment to scientists and students in the American tropics to assist their research opportunities and education.

Deadline: April 1st, August 1st, and December 1st 2025

Designed to support Latin American graduate students facing financial barriers in conducting conservation research. Funds cover essential expenses like transportation, lodging, meals, and field supplies.

Christopher Miller Outstanding Student Award: This award of $500 is given annually to an outstanding Student Grant winner.

Deadline: The pre-proposal application will be available soon, with a May deadline.

The APS Innovation Fund supports innovative projects that address challenges in the physics community while advancing education, career development, and public engagement. The 2025 theme, Capacity Building for Education and Careers in Climate Science, focuses on expanding access to climate science education and workforce pathways. Grants of up to $50,000 will be awarded to up to five projects, with funding lasting 18 months starting in January 2026. Eligible applicants must be APS members at any career stage, with a pre-proposal deadline in May 2025. Projects will be evaluated based on innovation, impact, feasibility, and scalability.

Deadline: Aug 07, 2025 by 3:00pm ET

The Burroughs Wellcome Fund's Climate + Health Excellence (CHEX) Centers award is a grant program designed to support interdisciplinary research and training on climate change's health impacts. The initiative encourages collaboration between institutions to develop innovative approaches for understanding, mitigating, and communicating the health effects of climate change, with a focus on research, public engagement, and post-graduate training.

Deadline: N/A

Morgan Stanley Inclusive & Sustainable Ventures (MSISV) is an initiative designed to support visionary early-stage founders, startups, and nonprofit organizations through two complementary accelerator programs. Participants gain access to Morgan Stanley’s extensive industry network, including bankers, financial advisors, and technology experts, alongside tailored mentorship and coaching from experienced entrepreneurs and advisors.

Two Accelerator Programs:

• The Lab – A for-profit accelerator providing early-stage startups with capital, mentorship, and resources to scale innovative solutions. Eligible startups include technology-driven companies led by founders who have faced systemic barriers to capital access or have a focus on sustainability. Startups in the Lab receive an equity investment of $250,000 (NY-based) or £250,000 (London-based), along with a five-month curated program, mentorship, office space, and networking opportunities.
• The Collaborative – A nonprofit accelerator offering grants and support to emerging organizations driving high-impact, scalable solutions. Ideal participants include nonprofits with a clear business plan and a mission aligned with sustainability and inclusive growth. Nonprofits in the Collaborative receive a $250,000 grant (Americas) or £250,000 (other regions), plus access to the same mentorship and program content as the Lab.

for more information visit: https://www.morganstanley.com/about-us/inclusive-sustainable-ventures?cid=mg-vm-msivl-ve-17273

To apply for “The Lab”

To apply for “The Collaborative”

Deadline: N/A

Schmidt Ocean Institute (SOI) invites Expressions of Interest (EOI) for collaborative, multidisciplinary ocean research aboard R/V Falkor (too). EOIs and full proposals are accepted on a rolling basis and reviewed twice per year. Researchers may request full berthing or be paired with complementary projects.

SOI provides free access to R/V Falkor (too)’s scientific facilities, lab equipment, technical support, and communication services. In return, researchers must share data and findings in real time. Investigators must secure their own funding for salaries, travel, and research analysis, with limited support available for robotic platforms, sensors, and open-source publishing.

Deadline: N/A

The Clean Energy Ventures Application is designed for early-stage advanced energy companies seeking funding from Clean Energy Ventures and the Clean Energy Venture Group. A single application provides access to both investment networks, with all submissions undergoing a thorough review by a team of over 20 experts. Ideal candidates have innovative clean energy technologies that significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, strong leadership teams, and a clear path to market growth and investment returns. Investments typically support the first institutional funding round, focusing on companies headquartered in North America, Europe, and Israel.

Deadline: N/A

The Fintech Sandbox Data Access Residency offers early-stage startups access to essential financial data for testing and development. Open to startups worldwide, applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Eligible applicants must be incorporated, have a dedicated leadership team, a CTO or developers capable of handling large datasets, an alpha product or demo, and annual recurring revenue below $1 million USD. Data accessed through the program is strictly for testing and cannot be used for direct commercialization.

Applications for the 2025 Finance Program are open! 

The MassChallenge FinTech 2025 Partner Challenges invites innovative startups to collaborate with leading financial institutions, including Citizens, DCU, and MassMutual, to solve industry challenges. Startups can contribute to groundbreaking advancements in areas like AI-driven fraud detection, real-time payment systems, blockchain for title transfers, and sustainable home improvements. This initiative gives startup founders access to strategic guidance from corporate partners and opportunities for meaningful collaboration, driving innovation in sectors such as data management, cybersecurity, and customer-centric solutions.

Deadline: Pre-registration is now open. For the Complete timeline of dates check it out at https://www.herox.com/EnergyTechUP/timeline

The American-Made EnergyTech University Prize (EnergyTech UP) 2025 offers student teams the opportunity to win cash prizes by creating and presenting a business plan centered around promising energy technologies. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Technology Transitions, the competition provides mentorship and resources, with over $450,000 available for students, and an additional $100,000 dedicated to faculty who elevate energy entrepreneurship at their institutions. This new faculty track incentivizes educators to engage students in energy technology commercialization and entrepreneurship, further enhancing the impact of the competition.

The Global EdTech Startups Awards (GESAwards) represents the largest global competition and community for educational technology, involving over 6,000 startups from more than 130 countries since its inception in 2014. The awards aim to foster international collaboration and global expansion within the EdTech sector, offering startups from diverse regions the opportunity to showcase their innovations globally, connect with industry leaders, and potentially win the title Edtech Startup of the Year. The program includes regional semifinals leading up to a final event in London each January and a two-day boot camp providing finalists with significant networking and growth opportunities. Startups at various stages are encouraged to apply, especially those with products ready for the market but not yet widely distributed.

The Hult Prize invites students globally to participate in a challenge that combines competition with a cause. This program encourages young entrepreneurs to develop startups that address critical global issues, fostering a spirit of social entrepreneurship. This prestigious program enables students to develop startups with the potential for real-world impact, offering a chance to join a global network of peers, mentors, and experts. Competitors strive to reach the Global Finals, with a grand prize of $1 million in funding to realize their innovative ideas.

Participants can elevate an existing startup or create a new venture through this program. To be eligible, you must be a currently enrolled student in a degree program, part of a team of 3-5 members from the same university (with an allowance for one member from a different institution), and at least 18 years old. Engage in this opportunity to bring your impactful business ideas to life with the Hult Prize.

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.

More information

P&G Develop 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.

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.

Learn More

For: University researchers in a range of disciplines, including data science, epidemiology, biochemistry, and more

Deadline: Rolling

Rapid diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases are critical to both the patient and the broader community. Early Notification to Act, Control, and Treat (ENACT) 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.

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