Nebraska Academic Research
and Development Grants

The Business Development Grant provides Greater Charlottesville small businesses with $5,000 grants to help empower and sustain local entrepreneurs. Administered by the United Way of Greater Charlottesville in partnership with the Minority Business Alliance of the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce, the program awards multiple grants each year to local small businesses, with the goal of addressing one of the most common barriers to small business success: a lack of affordable capital. Since 2019, the partnership has awarded over $150,000 in grants to local small businesses, including six businesses awarded $5,000 each in the most recent cycle. Funds may be used for equipment acquisition, inventory, and operating expenses, including business promotion. Applications typically become available each summer, and attendance at a virtual information session is often required to apply.

The Advanced Industries Early-Stage Capital and Retention Grant helps Colorado-based advanced industries technology businesses develop and commercialize advanced technologies that will be created or manufactured in Colorado. Projects can receive up to $250,000. This grant award maximum can be lifted for projects that impact more than one advanced industry. The market typically under-invests in early-stage technologies. The grant’s goal is to fill the gap left by the market. The grant is not meant to compete with existing funding.

NOFA-VT’s Farmer Emergency Fund, established in 1997, supports organic and NOFA-VT member farmers who have been adversely affected by natural and unnatural disasters. The NOFA-VT Farmer Emergency Fund is available to assist farmers who are in financial need after having been adversely affected by natural and unnatural disasters. -$2,500 grants are available for commercial farmers who are NOFA-VT members. Applying farmers will need to be NOFA-VT members in good standing for at least one year before being eligible to apply for funds. -$5,000 grants are available to any farm that is VOF certified organic. Because we want to incentivize organic certification, and because of the commitment involved in getting certified, we will waive the one-year waiting period for certified organic farms.

The Outta Excuses Small Business Empowerment Grant is designed to support small business owners by providing crucial financial assistance and strategic coaching. This initiative aims to help entrepreneurs grow and scale their businesses effectively. This is a $3,000 grant, issued once per quarter. Additionally, all entrants will automatically be considered for a $10,000 annual grant issued in September. This grant has a $15 application fee.

The Proof of Concept program provides up to $25,000 to conduct research that demonstrates the technical and economic feasibility of an innovation before it is commercialized. The program is open to those committed to commercializing an innovation in South Dakota, such as entrepreneurs, universities, existing South Dakota companies and other entities. Investment proceeds may be used to pay consultant contracts, material and supplies, salaries for employees in South Dakota, and necessary services for technical feasibility or marketing studies.