Whether you currently run your own business or you’re pursuing an education to become an entrepreneur, the good news is that there are plenty of opportunities for support.
To get you started, here’s a list of companies and organizations that provide financial grants and scholarships to help grow your business idea and become a future business leader.
What you’ll receive: $25,000 plus support for your project, which includes:
Eligibility: Early to mid-career professionals who are U.S. residents and currently work in sustainability, clean energy, water, infrastructure or related fields
How to apply: Submit a project that addresses an environmental issue
Next deadline: TBA
What you’ll receive: $5,000 for the fall or spring semester
Eligibility: High school seniors going to college, full-time undergraduate or graduate students with a 3.3 GPA or higher
How to apply: 600-800 word essay that answers the question, “How will education prepare me for the challenges of being a small-business owner?”
Next deadline: TBA in the fall
Eligibility: Any cancer survivor currently enrolled in a U.S. university or college, pursuing a major in business or a related field with a desire to pursue a career in food service and potentially own or operate a restaurant
How to apply: Submit your personal and/or your parents’ tax returns, plus cancer diagnosis
Next deadline: January 31, 2018
What you’ll receive: $1,000
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors or current college students, including international students
How to apply: Submit an infographic outlining your business plan in one of the five following industries:
Next deadline: September 15, 2017 & December 15, 2017
Open to young social entrepreneurs across the globe, this fellowship focuses on leadership development. Fellows will interact with professional mentors throughout a 12-month program, and participate in an annual summit.
What you’ll receive: Grant of up to $10,000 and participation in a 12-month program for leadership development
Eligibility: Candidates under 40 years of age who lead an enterprise that is at least one-year old with at least one full-time employee other than the candidate
How to apply: Candidates will go through a four-part application process
Part 1: Preliminary questionnaire
Part 2: Video recording
Part 3: Written assessment
Part 4: 2-hour virtual site visit
Next deadline: TBA
What you’ll receive: $5,000
Eligibility: Any current or incoming students enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program at an accredited U.S. college, university or trade school
How to apply: 500-700 word essay on a given topic each year
Next deadline: April 30, 2018
What you’ll receive: $2,000 paid out over 4 semesters
Eligibility: Incoming freshmen or current students with a minimum 3.5 GPA who are enrolled in a school of business in the U.S., with a demonstrated interest in business and entrepreneurship
How to apply: 500-1,000 word essay
Next deadline: October 15, 2017
The Halstead Grant is an annual list of awards that go to current or aspiring jewelry designers. Winners will be invited to Prescott, Arizona for an all-expenses-paid trip to the company’s HQ, and be featured in their printed catalog.
What you’ll receive: $7,500 in cash, plus $1,000 in supplies
Eligibility: Students or professional jewelry designers intending to pursue a full-time career in metal jewelry design
How to apply: Answer the listed short and long answer questions in the application and submit jewelry designs and details
Next deadline: TBA
What you’ll receive: $1,500 awarded to three recipients
Eligibility: Students enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program
How to apply: 500 word essay answering the question, “How has the internet impacted your education?”
Next deadline: November 30, 2017
What you’ll receive: $2,500 awarded to two recipients each semester
Eligibility: High school seniors or current undergraduate students
How to apply: 500-750 word essay about your favorite small business and why
Next deadline: April 30, 2018
What you’ll receive: $5,000
Eligibility: U.S. citizens enrolled in an accredited U.S. college or university
How to apply: Maximum 1,500 word essay on a given topic each year
Next deadline: TBA for 2018
What you’ll receive: $5,000 awarded to two recipients
Eligibility: Current high school seniors or full-time college students of at least 50% Asian/Pacific Islander ethnicity, with a minimum 3.0 GPA
Additional requirements: Must own and operate a business for at least one year with revenue for the past six consecutive months
How to apply: 750 word essay on a given topic and a business plan
Next deadline: TBA
What you’ll receive: $1,000 awarded in the spring of 2018
Eligibility: Students with a minimum 3.0 GPA who are enrolled or about to enroll in an education program related to business or finance
How to apply: 600-1,000 word essay explaining what you hope to accomplish in your education and career
Next deadline: January 29, 2018
Targeting young entrepreneurs who want to receive a more practical education, the Thiel Fellowship provides support for fellows under the age of 23 over the course of two years, during which they must not be enrolled in a university or college. Fellows in the program will be able to develop their ideas and/or companies and use the funds as they see fit.
What you’ll receive: $100,000 grant spread out over two years
Eligibility: Everyone aged 23 or younger who want to build new things instead of sit in a classroom
How to apply: Maximum 500 words describing your project or company
Next deadline: Rolling applications
What you’ll receive: $2,000
Eligibility: Students enrolled in a high school or college in the U.S. or Canada, who have completed at least one year of study at their institute and demonstrate high interest in business
How to apply: Maximum 500 word essay explaining why you should win the scholarship
Next deadline: December 31, 2017
Call Sales: 1-877-683-3280
