Veteran Shark Tank

The Biosensing program is part of the Engineering Biology and Health cluster, which also includes 1) the Biophotonics program; 2) the Cellular and Biochemical Engineering program; 3) the Disability and Rehabilitation Engineering program; and 4) the Engineering of Biomedical Systems program. The Biosensing program supports fundamental engineering research in the monitoring, identification and/or quantification of biological analytes and phenomena using innovations that exist at the intersection of engineering, life sciences, and information technology. Projects submitted to the program must advance both engineering and life sciences. The Biosensing program encourages proposals that, in addition to advancing biosensing technology, address critical sensor needs in biomedical research, public health, food safety, agriculture, forensics, environmental protection, and homeland security. Proposals are especially encouraged in areas of critical need: sensing technologies that can enable monitoring and surveillance of the environment and/or individuals for novel infectious agents; platform technologies that can readily be modified as soon as new agents are detected, sequenced, and/or otherwise characterized to enable rapid deployment of sensors in clinics and the environment; and adaptive and/or multiplex sensing technologies that can help the nation prevent the spread of the next global pandemic. Major areas of interest for the program include: -Novel signal transduction principles and mechanisms that enable sensitive and specific biosensors, suitable for measurements in multiple areas; -Design of novel biorecognition elements and appropriately designed transducing systems to enable adaptable and/or reconfigurable operating parameters in response to environmental changes or application needs at levels of device, system, or data analysis; -Development of adaptive and/or evolvable biosensing systems for detection of novel target analytes or analytes under novel conditions; -Novel synthetic biology approaches for the development of cell-free and cell-based biosensors; and -Combining biosensors with artificial intelligence (AI) methods to improve sensor specificity and response time.

The Scranton Small Business Façade Improvement Grant Program provides Scranton commercial property owners and tenants with reimbursement grants of up to $10,000 (or 50 percent of total project cost, whichever is lower) to fund permanent exterior improvements to commercial buildings. Administered by the City of Scranton and funded through federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) dollars, the program is designed to create a more aesthetically pleasing environment along Scranton's commercial corridors and support the revitalization of the city's business districts. Grants are geographically targeted, with eligible properties limited to commercial buildings located within the federally designated low-to-moderate income areas of Scranton. To qualify, applicants must be either the owner of a commercial property or a business owner or manager operating from a commercial property within the eligible area, with tenants required to submit an Owner Consent Form as part of their application. Businesses must be in compliance with all current City of Scranton codes and regulations, current on taxes, fines, and fees, and properly registered in the city. Eligible buildings are limited to existing commercial structures with facades visible from the street. New construction, mobile businesses, structural repairs, and interior projects of any kind are not eligible. Funded improvements must be permanent, exterior alterations that enhance the appearance of the commercial property, and may include the repair, preservation, improvement, replacement, or installation of windows and doors, signage, lighting, awnings, canopies, and sunshades, decking and stairs, gutters and downspouts, cornices or decorative trim, historically significant architectural details, masonry, pointing, or carpentry work, painting or surface treatment, entranceways to buildings or parking lots, greenery, and sidewalks, patios, walkways, benches, planters, and other permanent exterior features.

WomensNet founded the Amber Grant in 1998. The grant was set up with one goal in mind: to honor the memory of a very special young woman, Amber Wigdahl, who died at just 19 years old before realizing her business dreams. Today, WomensNet carries on that tradition, proudly giving away at least $30,000 every month in Amber Grant money.

The Farmer Veteran Fellowship Fund provides U.S. military veterans in the beginning years of farming or ranching with small grants ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 to help launch and grow their agricultural businesses. Administered by the Farmer Veteran Coalition (FVC), a national nonprofit that supports veteran-owned farm and ranch businesses, the program has awarded nearly $4 million to more than 930 veterans since 2011. The program is powered in part by Wounded Warrior Project and receives additional support from Kubota (whose "Geared To Give" equipment program is integrated into the same application), the Tractor Supply Co. Foundation, Farm Credit, AgWest, and the SBA. Rather than disbursing cash directly to recipients, the Fellowship Fund pays approved third-party vendors on the recipient's behalf for specific items the veteran identifies as crucial to the launch of their farm business. Recipients have six months from award notification to use their grant. Common purchases funded through the program include all-terrain vehicles, beekeeping equipment, breeding livestock, bulk feed, fencing, storage freezers, tractor implements, walk-behind tractors, and scholarships. To qualify, applicants must be a member of the Farmer Veteran Coalition, have served or currently be serving in any branch of the United States military, have received an Honorable characterization of service upon discharge (other characterizations are considered on a case-by-case basis), operate an agricultural business with a formal business plan, and be willing to fully participate in the Fellowship Program (which includes periodic progress reports, mentoring other farmer veterans, and a commitment to making a positive impact on the farmer veteran community). Currently serving service members must provide a letter of support from their commanding officer attesting to their characterization of service. The Fellowship is designed to support for-profit agricultural businesses; nonprofit entities are not eligible. Previous Fellowship recipients may only reapply if they were previously awarded $1,000 or less. The application opens once per year and consists of short answer and essay questions across five focus areas: military service, educational background, prior farming experience, business and financial planning, and short-term and long-term goals. Applicants are evaluated on farm training and transferable skills, personal investment in their farm business, the strength of their funding request and demonstrated ability to grow the business through the award, vision and goals for the future, and community involvement.

The Global Citizen and PayPal Small Business Impact Awards provide small and medium-sized business owners around the world with $20,000 cash prizes, along with data and insights, technical training, and marketing and brand activations to accelerate their work. Administered through a partnership between Global Citizen, a global advocacy and citizenship platform, and PayPal, the awards recognize creative business leaders who have developed innovative products and services that drive measurable social or environmental impact in their communities. Multiple winners are selected each year (five winners were honored in 2025). To be eligible, applicants must be the owner, founder, or CEO who plays a crucial role in the business, operate a small-to-medium-sized business with fewer than 50 full-time employees or annual revenue under $1 million (subject to local regulations and standards), maintain an online presence that allows customers to buy their product, have between 1 and 5 years of demonstrated impact in their community, and live and work in one of four eligible regions: North America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, or Latin America. Demonstrated community impact may include supporting local causes, charities, or nonprofits, engaging in community development projects or partnerships, implementing sustainable practices that benefit the local environment or economy, or creating jobs or educational opportunities for community members. Franchises and businesses that are part of national or international chains are not eligible, and businesses affiliated with organizations subject to U.S. financial sanctions cannot receive awards. The application consists of four parts: basic information about the applicant and their business, a 1 to 2 minute pitch video explaining why they deserve the award, four short-answer questions describing how the work aligns with the judging criteria, and supplemental organizational details if requested. Applications are evaluated on three core criteria: Innovation (how the business's innovation supports its mission and creates positive societal or environmental impact), Vision (a compelling vision and concrete plans for expanding the work over the next 3 to 5 years), and Impact (a demonstrated track record of measurable impact advancing one or more of the United Nations' Global Goals). Up to 50 finalists are selected for additional review and asked to submit three letters of recommendation before final winners are chosen.