This Guide introduces resources for you to secure grants and write a winning grant proposal. Grant programs would often provide you with a decent amount of information or training webinars that tell you what they look for. You can start with exploring the resources provided by them potentially including application instructions/descriptions, budget templates, past winning proposals, etc. Grant writing for technology-oriented firms and for not-for-profit companies share some general rules but can take very different paths to justifying the details. This Guide focuses more on grant writing for startup tech firms.

The courses selected can be audited for free and you can find the audit instructions for Coursera and Edx courses.

Fundamentals of Funding, with Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women (Goldman Sachs)

In this course, you will learn how to finance business opportunities that lead to growth, by exploring different types of funding. You will learn how acquisition financing and funding applications for grants or loans can support and expand your business opportunity. You will evaluate your business’s financial profile and plan actions to improve it.

SBIR Tutorials

The Online Tutorials features courses designed to help interested parties learn more about the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs.

Introduction to Proposal Writing (Candid Learning)

This class will provide you with an overview of how to write a standard project proposal to a foundation.

SBIR Road Tour and Virtual Events

SBIR/STTR Proposal Webinar (Texas Tech University)

This workshop is for startups and small technology-oriented companies, entrepreneurs, and university research faculty that are engaging in innovative research & development with the goal of commercialization.

SBIR Basics Webinar Series (University of Hawaii)

Brought to you by the University of Hawaii Office of Innovation and Commercialization (OIC) and the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation Innovate Hawaii Program, SBIR Basics is a series of workshops to help local researchers and companies prepare for the 2021 National SBIR Week (July 19-23, 2021).

Webinars from Grant Writers and their Vimeo Video

Include: Up Close and Personal: A Guided Walk Through a Grant Proposal; Advanced Grant Proposal Writing: Grant Proposal Needs Sections: Exemplary Tips, Techniques and Examples

Wisys Grant Writing Webinar Series (University of Wisconsin System)

• Federal Government Grants for Small Business: What You Need to Know (Startup.com)

• How to Develop and Write a Grant Proposal (Congressional Research Services)

• Grant Writing Basics - Community Blog (Grant.gov)

• Proposal Development Guide (University of Delaware)

• 8 points to help startups write a winning grant application (Venturewell.org)

• Free Business Funding: 5 Tips for Writing a Winning Small Business Grant Application (Startup Nation)

• 11 Grants for Startups (finder.com)

• Small Business Grants (Shopify)

• 15 Grant Programs for Minority and Women Business Owners (Startupnation)

• NIH-NIAID Small Business Sample Applications

• Sample Grant Proposals (Candid.org)

• Proposal Samples (University of South Florida)

Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation Grants Database

The Kauffman Foundation grants listing shows approved grants for the past three years, as well as older grants that are still active. To explore strategies, first select a program area.

The following subscribed databases would allow you to further explore grant opportunities. Check if they are available at the academic or public libraries near you:

• Pivot

• Foundation Directory Online

• SPIN Grants Database

SBIR/STTR Local Assistance

The SBA works with several local partners of various organizational types to train and support potential SBIR/STTR applicants around the country. Check now to find the help you need, from proposal assistance to SAM registration, commercialization support to industry connections.

Vertuelab assistance in developing an SBIR/STTR application

After viewing the videos, if you think SBIR/STTR funding might be a fit for your company, you can complete the form to apply for Vertuelab assistance in developing an SBIR/STTR application.

NIH Applicant Assistance Program

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Applicant Assistance Program (AAP) is designed to assist small businesses with an interest in preparing and submitting a Small Business Innovation Research or Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) application.

Click the link to find a Worldcat book record; enter a zipcode to check which library nearby has the book you can borrow. When the record is not available, a link to Amazon is provided.

• Rothstein, Anne L. Creating Winning Grant Proposals: A Step-by-Step Guide. 2019. Print.

• Adolphe, Eric. How to Develop a Winning Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Proposal. 2015. Print.

• Bard, Ed. Department of Defense SBIR Phase I Proposal Preparation Manual: Successfully Navigating the DoD SBIR Phase I Program. 2017. Print.

• Browning, Beverly A. Grant Writing for Dummies. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley, 2016. Print.

• Howlett, Susan, and Renee Bourque. Getting Funded: The Complete Guide to Writing Grant Proposals. 2016. Print.

• Karsh, Ellen, and Arlen S. Fox. The Only Grant-Writing Book You'll Ever Need. 2019. Print.

Read More Books on This Topic.

SCORE mentors offer grants-related consultation via video, email, phone, or in-person.

Navigate a Sea of Funding Options