SCRA Startup Grant

It Pay$ to Plug In provides grants to offset the cost of purchasing and maintaining electric vehicle charging stations. The program is designed to expand New Jersey’s growing network of electric vehicle infrastructure, allowing residents, businesses, and government agencies to purchase and drive electric vehicles. EVs dramatically reduce vehicle emissions and improve air quality for everyone.

The goal of this program is to support collaborative translational research projects aligned with NIH efforts to enhance the translation of basic biological discoveries into clinical applications that improve health. It encourages high quality science demonstrating the potential to result in understanding an important disease process or lead to new therapeutic interventions, diagnostics, or prevention strategies within the research interests and priorities of the participating NIH Institutes/Centers (ICs).Specifically, the program seeks to broaden and strengthen translational research collaborations between basic and clinical researchers both within and outside NIH to accelerate and enhance translational science by promoting partnerships between NIH intramural investigators (e.g., those conducting research within the labs and clinics of the NIH) and extramural investigators (e.g., those conducting research in labs outside the NIH), and by providing support for extramural investigators to take advantage of the unique research opportunities available at the NIH Clinical Center by conducting clinical research projects in collaboration with NIH intramural investigators.

The Pennsylvania Farm Vitality Planning Grant Program provides Pennsylvania farmers with reimbursement grants of up to $15,000 (covering up to 75 percent of project costs) to fund professional services that help plan for the future of their farm. Administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, the program is designed to enhance the long-term vitality of Pennsylvania's farms through business planning, efficient transitions of ownership, strategic expansion, diversification of agricultural production, and building a team of financial and technical expertise as a resource for farmers. Grants support projects such as enhancing a farm's long-term success with business and management strategies, transitioning farm ownership and operation to new people (including passing ownership within the family), diversifying agricultural production with new plans, expanding or seeking financing for growth, and ensuring farms with conservation easements remain profitable and protect public investments. Eligible costs are focused on the professional services agricultural professionals provide when developing business, transition, and succession plans, and the related documents they create. Covered services include accountants, CPAs, business consultants, and financial planners (for profitability and feasibility studies, financial guidance, and preparation of income statements, cash flow statements, and balance sheets), business planning services and related business software (such as QuickBooks), appraisers (for appraisals directly related to succession), attorneys (for the preparation and filing of legal documents and setting up a new business entity with the next generation), and facilitators or mediators (to guide farm succession meetings and communication or help farm families work through succession conflicts). Ineligible costs include capital improvements of any kind (land or farm purchases, facilities, equipment, buildings, remodels, repairs and maintenance, and installation of conservation practices), conservation plans (including Ag E&S plans, Manure Management plans, and Nutrient Management plans), surveying and subdivision costs (even if related to succession), any taxes (even if related to property transfer), insurance premiums and related costs, and meals, mileage, or other travel expenses. Grants operate on a reimbursement basis: applicants must complete their approved work plan and submit documentation of paid costs before reimbursement is issued. In-kind support does not count toward the applicant's 25 percent contribution.

The Charles J. Strosacker Small Business Capacity-Building Grant provides Midland County, Michigan small businesses with grants ranging from $2,000 to $10,000 to invest in professional development, coaching, or equipment, technology, and facility improvements that strengthen business capacity. Administered by the Midland Business Alliance and funded through the Charles J. Strosacker Foundation, the program is competitive: submission of an application does not guarantee funding, and awards are determined based on program criteria, the strength of the proposed project, and available resources. Applicants must contribute at least one-third (33 percent) of the total project cost, and funded projects must be completed within six months of award, with a brief impact report submitted within 60 days of completion. Grant funding is available across two categories. Professional Development and Coaching Support covers financial coaching (financial planning, budgeting, cash flow management, and profitability analysis), marketing and merchandising coaching (brand development, digital marketing strategy, and merchandising), business process optimization (streamlining operations, improving efficiency, and adopting best practices), Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) coaching (implementation or integration of EOS to improve business structure, team alignment, and operational efficiency), and talent engagement support to strengthen employee attraction, engagement, and retention. Equipment, Technology, and Facility Investments cover equipment purchases needed to improve services, operations, or production capacity, renovations, remodeling, or repairs directly tied to operational growth, accessibility improvements to meet ADA requirements, interior and exterior enhancements that fundamentally improve customer experience and competitiveness, and technology and digital transformation projects (adopting new business technologies to improve productivity and customer experience). Requests for equipment or facility work must be accompanied by documentation of cost and appropriately credentialed contractor bids where applicable. To qualify, applicants must operate a business headquartered in Midland County with 25 or fewer employees, be able to contribute at least 33 percent of the total project cost, and commit to completing the proposed project within six months of award. As part of the application, businesses must submit their most recent Profit and Loss Statement, Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow Statement, along with contractor or vendor bids, quotes, or proposals for the proposed work. Applicants are also asked to describe the challenge or need their business is currently facing, the expected outcomes of the project (such as increased revenue, cost savings, job retention or creation, improved customer experience, improved accessibility, or adoption of new technology), and how the benefits of the investment will continue beyond the grant period.

The AI MicroGrant Program is designed to support startups and small businesses who need small amounts of financial assistance to implement or integrate AI components in their business operations that ultimately lead to broad adoption of AI in the community.