Startup grants in 2026: 18 Best Picks, Compared
Non-dilutive government and public grants and funds startups can apply to directly. Below are the 18 startup grants we cover in 2026, ranked by our editor score, reader upvotes and how often readers click through.
Last updated October 2026 · 18 listings reviewed
1
Up to $2 million of zero-equity seed funding from NSF for deep-tech startups, starting with a short Project Pitch.
🎁 up to $2M · #4.6k web rank · ▲ 13 this week
8.5/10
What you get The National Science Foundation runs the most startup-friendly SBIR/STTR door. Its site says it invests up to $2 million in seed funding per company across Phase I and Phase II, takes zero equity, and leaves you in control of your team, direction and IP. Current solicitations are NSF 26-510 (deep technologies for US competitiveness and security) and… Read more →
Pros
- Zero equity, up to $2 million
- Short Project Pitch before any heavy paperwork
- Programme staff give feedback
Cons
- Excludes companies majority-owned by VC or PE firms
- Needs genuine technical risk, not just a product build
Pricing: Up to $2M in credits & perks · nsf sbir deep tech non-dilutive project pitch
2
Equity-free US federal R&D awards from 11 agencies, from proof of concept (Phase I) to prototype (Phase II).
🎁 up to $2.2M · #60k web rank · ▼ 581 this week
8.5/10
What you get The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programmes, branded America's Seed Fund, give US small businesses equity-free R&D funding. The SBA coordinates them and 11 federal agencies run their own programmes and topics. Phase I funds proof of concept over 6-12 months (sbir.gov gives a typical range of $50,000-$275,000). Phase II continues… Read more →
Pros
- Equity-free, large awards up to about $2.15 million in Phase II
- Eleven agencies and many topics to choose from
- Reauthorised through September 2031
Cons
- Long, formal proposals with low success rates
- Agencies are still restarting solicitations after the 2025-26 lapse
Pricing: Up to $2.2M in credits & perks · sbir sttr non-dilutive r&d grant us federal
3
Grant of up to EUR 2.5 million (about $2.9 million) for deep-tech startups and SMEs, with optional EIC equity.
🎁 up to $2.9M · #116 web rank
8.0/10
What you get A lump-sum grant of up to EUR 2.5 million (about $2.9 million) for innovation work at technology readiness levels 6-8, to be completed within 24 months. You can also ask for EUR 1-10 million of equity from the EIC Fund, either blended with the grant or investment-only; that part is dilutive, the grant is not. The 2026… Read more →
Pros
- Grant up to EUR 2.5 million with no equity
- Short proposals accepted continuously
- Optional EIC equity for larger rounds
Cons
- Very competitive, multi-stage process
- Equity component is dilutive if you choose it
Pricing: Up to $2.9M in credits & perks · eic horizon europe deep tech grant eu
4
Refundable 35% R&D tax credit for Canadian-controlled private corporations on up to C$6 million of R&D a year.
#1.2k web rank · ▲ 9 this week
8.0/10
What you get The Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) programme gives a tax deduction and an investment tax credit (ITC) for R&D done in Canada. Most Canadian-controlled private corporations (CCPCs) earn an ITC at the enhanced rate of 35% on qualified expenditures up to an expenditure limit of C$6 million for tax years beginning after 15 December 2024. The… Read more →
Pros
- Fully refundable 35% credit on current R&D costs
- No competition: every qualifying claim is paid
- Higher C$6 million limit since 2024
Cons
- Missed deadlines mean no credit at all
- Needs careful records to survive a CRA review
Pricing: Free to join · sr&ed r&d tax credit canada ccpc cra
5
Refundable R&D tax offset of your company tax rate plus 18.5% for Australian companies with turnover under A$20 million.
#16k web rank · ▲ 89 this week
8.0/10
What you get A tax offset for eligible R&D spending. If your company's aggregated turnover is under A$20 million, the offset is refundable and equals your corporate tax rate plus an 18.5% premium, so a loss-making startup can receive cash back. Larger companies get a non-refundable offset at the company tax rate plus 8.5% or 16.5%, depending on R&D intensity.… Read more →
Pros
- Refundable for small companies, so it pays even when you have losses
- Open to all sectors, no competition
Cons
- A$20,000 minimum spend
- Self-assessed, so weak records risk clawback
Pricing: Free to join · r&d tax incentive australia refundable offset ato
6
Dutch payroll-tax credit of 36% (50% for starters) on R&D wage costs up to about EUR 391,000, then 16%.
#22k web rank · ▲ 426 this week
8.0/10
What you get WBSO lowers the cost of research and development by reducing the wage tax you pay on R&D staff, and lets you include other project costs. For 2026 the first bracket rate is 36% on the first EUR 391,020 of R&D wage base, and 50% for starters; above that the rate is 16%. Self-employed founders get an R&D… Read more →
Pros
- 50% starter rate on R&D wages
- Software development qualifies
- Short application you can do yourself
Cons
- Only for future work: late applications lose the benefit
- Daily hour records are mandatory
Pricing: Free to join · wbso netherlands rvo r&d tax credit payroll tax
7
12 months of stipends (EUR 1,000-3,000 a month each) plus EUR 30,000 for costs, for German university spin-off teams.
partner code · #279k web rank · ▲ 1.0k this week
8.0/10
What you get A 12-month grant for teams turning research or knowledge-based ideas into a startup. Each founder receives a monthly stipend: EUR 3,000 with a doctorate, EUR 2,500 for graduates, EUR 2,000 with a vocational qualification and EUR 1,000 for students, plus EUR 150 a month per child. Teams also get EUR 30,000 for materials (up to EUR 10,000… Read more →
Pros
- Pays founders a living stipend for 12 months
- EUR 30,000 for costs plus coaching budget
- No equity
Cons
- Needs a German university or research institution to host you
- Teams of three at most
Pricing: Free to join · exist germany university spin-off founder stipend grant
8
UK tax relief for your investors on up to GBP 250,000 of seed shares, which makes early rounds much easier to raise.
8.0/10
What you get SEIS is not a grant to your company. It is a UK tax relief for the people who buy new shares in your startup, which makes them far more willing to invest at the earliest stage. Your company can raise a maximum of GBP 250,000 (about $330,000) through SEIS, and that cap includes other de minimis state… Read more →
Pros
- Makes UK angel rounds much easier to close
- Advance assurance gives investors confidence
- Open all year
Cons
- Not a grant: the benefit goes to investors
- Strict rules for three years after the investment
Pricing: Free to join · seis tax relief angel investment uk hmrc
9
Canada's main SME innovation programme: advice from technology advisors and, for some projects, funding.
#1.2k web rank · ▲ 9 this week
7.5/10
What you get IRAP is run by the National Research Council of Canada and, in the government's own words, offers advice, connections and funding to help small and medium-sized businesses build innovation capacity and bring ideas to market. Support is delivered through more than 250 Industrial Technology Advisors (ITAs) who assess your growth capacity and constraints and tailor support and… Read more →
Pros
- Personal technology advisor, not just a form
- Can lead to non-repayable project funding
- Open all year
Cons
- Amounts are negotiated, not published
- Funding reduces your SR&ED credit on the same costs
Pricing: Free to join · irap nrc canada innovation funding sme
10
Conditional grant of up to NIS 200,000 (about $60,000) for Israeli entrepreneurs to reach proof of concept.
🎁 up to $60k · #269k web rank · ▼ 994 this week
7.5/10
What you get A conditional grant of up to NIS 200,000 (about $60,000) over 12 months, covering 80% of the approved budget, to help entrepreneurs and new Israeli startups reach proof of concept and business feasibility. The money can pay for building an initial prototype, IP protection and business development plans, including materials, components, subcontractors, consultants, patent attorneys and exhibition… Read more →
Pros
- No equity and no need to quit your job
- Covers 80% of the approved budget
- Open all year
Cons
- Repaid through royalties if you sell
- Application details only in Hebrew
Pricing: Up to $60k in credits & perks · israel innovation authority tnufa proof of concept conditional grant
11
Corfo public accelerator with equity-free funds of CLP 15-75 million (up to about $100,000) for startups from anywhere.
🎁 up to $100k · #352k web rank · ▲ 299 this week
7.5/10
What you get Start-Up Chile is the public accelerator of Corfo, the Chilean government's development agency, and gives equity-free funding with its programmes. Build (four months, for projects from prototype to validated MVP) gives CLP 15 million (about $15,000 by the programme's own estimate). Ignite (four months, for startups with a functional product and early validation) gives CLP 25 million,… Read more →
Pros
- Equity-free money from CLP 15 to 75 million
- Open to founders from any country
- Extra support for women-led startups
Cons
- Closed between calls; next date not announced
- Requires being in Chile during the programme
Pricing: Up to $100k in credits & perks · chile corfo accelerator equity-free latam
12
A 20% R&D expenditure credit, or a 186% deduction plus payable credit for loss-making R&D-intensive UK SMEs.
7.5/10
What you get For accounting periods starting on or after 1 April 2024 the UK has two routes. The merged R&D expenditure credit (RDEC) gives a credit of 20% of qualifying R&D costs; it is taxable as trading income. Enhanced R&D intensive support (ERIS) gives loss-making, R&D-intensive SMEs an extra 86% deduction on top of the normal 100% (186% in… Read more →
Pros
- Payable cash credit for loss-making R&D-intensive SMEs
- Open to all sectors, no competition
Cons
- Advance notification and extra forms are easy to miss
- HMRC checks claims closely
Pricing: Free to join · r&d tax credit rdec eris uk hmrc
13
Bpifrance subsidy of up to EUR 30,000 (about $34,500) for early feasibility work on a French tech innovation project.
🎁 up to $34.5k · #25k web rank · ▲ 27 this week
7.0/10
What you get A subsidy (subvention) of up to EUR 30,000 (about $34,500), subject to conditions, to fund part of the internal and external R&D costs of an innovation project in its maturation and feasibility phase. It can cover up to 50% of eligible expenses, and up to 70% depending on the category of company. The programme can last up… Read more →
Pros
- Equity-free subsidy, no fees
- Covers up to 50-70% of eligible costs
- Often unlocks later Bpifrance aid
Cons
- Small amount
- Spending before the application date is not covered
Pricing: Up to $34.5k in credits & perks · bpifrance france french tech subsidy feasibility
14
Ireland's national startup programme: a EUR 15,000 tax-free stipend for six full-time months, mentoring and no equity.
🎁 up to $17k · #142k web rank · ▲ 1.1k this week
7.0/10
What you get New Frontiers is Enterprise Ireland's national programme for first-time startup founders, run by the Technological Universities and Institutes of Technology in 18 locations. Phase 1 is part-time (evening sessions or a weekend bootcamp) to test market potential. Phase 2 is six full-time months and includes a tax-free stipend of EUR 15,000 (about $17,000) for eligible participants, with… Read more →
Pros
- Tax-free stipend with no equity
- Mentoring and university facilities
- Pathway to Enterprise Ireland funding
Cons
- Stipend only in the full-time Phase 2
- Intake dates differ by location
Pricing: Up to $17k in credits & perks · ireland enterprise ireland pre-accelerator stipend first-time founders
15
S$20,000-S$50,000 (up to about $38,500) grant, matched 1:1 by your capital, plus mentoring for first-time founders.
🎁 up to $38.5k · partner code
7.0/10
What you get Startup SG Founder (SSGF) gives first-time founders a startup grant of S$20,000 to S$50,000 (up to about $38,500), plus mentoring from an Accredited Mentor Partner (AMP): pitch training, investor and corporate networking, and company secretarial and accounting support. Enterprise Singapore supports grants on a 1:1 basis: you must put in matching paid-up capital equal to the grant… Read more →
Pros
- Grant plus hands-on mentoring
- Matching can partly come from a SAFE or note
- Open all year
Cons
- Needs an AMP recommendation
- Only for Singapore citizens and PRs, first-time founders
Pricing: Up to $38.5k in credits & perks · singapore enterprise singapore founder grant mentoring first-time founders
16
National R&D funding for international projects led by innovative SMEs with partners in two or more Eurostars countries.
#123k web rank · ▲ 1.7k this week
6.5/10
What you get Eurostars funds collaborative, market-oriented R&D projects that develop new products, processes or services. The money does not come from Eureka: each partner is funded by its own national funding body under national rules and rates, so the amount and percentage depend on your country. Projects can last up to 36 months and must be civil only. Who… Read more →
Pros
- Funds international R&D partnerships
- Partners can be universities or larger firms
- Two calls a year
Cons
- Amounts and rates vary by country and are not stated centrally
- You need a foreign partner
Pricing: Free to join · eureka eurostars collaborative r&d sme grant
17
NIS 1 billion programme: grants of up to NIS 15 million to extend runway for Israeli startups hit by the strong shekel.
🎁 up to $4.5M · #269k web rank · ▼ 994 this week
6.5/10
What you get A one-off NIS 1 billion programme for startups and early-stage growth companies whose runway has shrunk because the shekel has risen against the US dollar. Selected companies receive a grant that covers 33% or 50% of the funding needed to extend runway by six months (roughly two or three months of runway), up to NIS 15 million… Read more →
Pros
- Large grants with a four-week decision
- Matching can be a SAFE, loan or revenue
Cons
- Temporary programme closing 19 November 2026
- Only for R&D companies already spending NIS 1.5 million a year
Pricing: Up to $4.5M in credits & perks · israel runway bridge funding grant innovation authority
18
Up to S$400,000 (POC) or S$800,000 (POV) for Singapore deep-tech startups, with a share subscription right attached.
🎁 up to $616k
6.5/10
What you get A competitive grant for commercialising proprietary technology. Proof-of-Concept (POC) projects can receive up to S$400,000 (about $308,000) and Proof-of-Value (POV) projects up to S$800,000 (about $616,000); both caps were raised on 2 January 2025. Money is released as milestones are completed. Who qualifies Startups registered in Singapore within the past 10 years, with at least 30% local… Read more →
Pros
- Up to S$800,000 for a POV project
- Caps raised in 2025
Cons
- Share subscription right worth 50% of the grant makes it partly dilutive
- Narrow to proprietary deep tech in listed sectors
Pricing: Up to $616k in credits & perks · singapore deep tech proof of concept grant enterprise singapore