With support from The Lemelson Foundation, the NCIIA awards approximately 2 million dollars in grants annually to U.S. colleges and universities in support of technology innovation and entrepreneurship with a positive social impact.  

New! Listen to Grants Manager Jennifer Keller Jackson give a general overview of NCIIA grants programs:

Students and faculty must be part of a member institution to be considered for a grant.

NCIIA Grant Programs

Sustainable Vision Grants fund transformational educational programs where breakthrough technologies are created and commercialized for the benefit of people living in poverty in the US and abroad. Award amounts are up to $50,000. The annual proposal deadline is in October. Learn more

Course and Program grants are awarded to colleges and universities to improve existing programs or build new programs in invention, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Award amounts are up to $50,000. Annual proposal deadlines are in May and December. Learn more

Advanced E-Team grants support commercial outcomes by moving innovative products from the idea stage to prototype and eventually to market. Award amounts are up to $20,000. Annual proposal deadlines are in May and December. Learn more
 

Applying for a Grant

Questions? Contact Us! We welcome the opportunity to talk with small groups of students and/or faculty via phone or skype regarding our grants programs and additional NCIIA resources. Contact a member of the grants team for more information: info@nciia.org.

• To apply for a grant, your institution must be a member of the NCIIA. Check whether your college or university is a member or renew your membership
•  All proposals must be completed online. To start a proposal, create an account or login here.
• Preview the online proposal (coming soon!) and reporting requirements for funded grants.
• Review frequently asked questions about applying for a grant.

 Contact us to learn more.

Additional Grants

The NCIIA provides resource and experimental grants for new initiatives that will develop into useful resources for the NCIIA community and beyond. In addition, sponsorship grants go to organizations that share similar objectives and are targeted towards events related to technology entrepreneurship. These grants are provided on a case-by-case basis, by written request sent to info@nciia.org.