Kentucky Science and Technology Grants

This program provides funding to small businesses and commercial property owners in Fort Thomas, Kentucky, for improving their storefronts and interiors to boost economic growth and community revitalization.

This grant provides funding to support a collaborative workforce development program aimed at equipping middle and high school students, particularly young men of color in Fayette County, Kentucky, with essential skills and experiences for high-wage career opportunities.

Main Street Ventures is accepting applications for its Launch Funding that provides emerging, pre-revenue businesses that have a Prototype or Product. Donor Name: Main Street Ventures State: Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio County: Boone County (KY), Butler County (OH), Campbell County (KY), Clermont County (OH), Dearborn County (IN), Hamilton County (OH), Kenton County (KY), Warren County (OH) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 08/30/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: 3 Years Details: Funding Information  Grant Request between $5,000 – $10,000. Eligibility Criteria  Business Type Applicant MUST be a business entity (C-Corp, S-Corp, or LLC) with a Federal Tax ID (EIN).​ Industry Focus Areas: Retail Storefronts – Ex. Restaurants, Coffee Shops, Retail Shops, etc. Manufactured Goods – Ex. Consumer Packaged Goods (Food / Beverage), Clothing, Sporting Goods, etc. Technology Companies – Ex. Hardware, Software. Business Location Business Entity MUST be located in the Greater Cincinnati region (Hamilton, Butler, Clermont and Warren counties in Ohio; Boone, Campbell, and Kenton counties in Kentucky; and Dearborn County in Indiana). Grant requests from other regions will NOT be considered. Application Responses Businesses MUST show customer demand and strong progression since the founding. Funding requests MUST focus on specific growth projects. MSV defines a growth project as a step that will help accelerate your business growth. MSV Grant Funding is designed to help businesses scale by covering key Direct Costs, not General Operating Expenses. Examples of Direct Expenses that ARE suitable for Grant Funds: Key pieces of equipment, Packaging Support, Technology Product Development, etc. Examples of General Operating Expenses that are NOT suitable for Grant Funds: Existing Payroll, Rent, Insurance, Marketing, Legal Fees, etc. Businesses MUST explain the impact of Grant Funds on the business OR the Cincinnati Region. Special Consideration will be granted to Women and Minority-Owned businesses Businesses that can show matching funds from other sources. For more information, visit Main Street Ventures.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and higher education institutions for initiatives that improve earthquake safety and awareness across multiple states or nationally.

This grant provides a $6,000 honorarium to a Kentucky writer selected as poet laureate, supporting their efforts to promote the literary arts in the state over a two-year term.

The Community Foundation of Louisville’s Vogt Invention & Innovation Awards offers entrepreneurs in the Louisville region a unique and exciting opportunity to take their businesses to the next level. Donor Name: Community Foundation of Louisville State: Indiana, Kentucky County: Selected Counties Type of Grant: Awards and Prizes Deadline: 05/28/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Funding Information Each year, up to six early-stage businesses receive $25,000. Eligibility Criteria If you do NOT meet these criteria, please visit Amplify Louisville for access to other business startup assistance: The business is a for-profit entity. The business is headquartered in the 13-county Louisville Metro area (MSA): Indiana – Clark, Floyd, Washington, Scott and Harrison counties Kentucky – Bullitt, Henry, Jefferson, Nelson, Oldham, Shelby, Spencer  and Trimble counties The business is registered with either the Indiana or Kentucky Secretary of State and in good standing (business can be organized in another state, e.g.: Delaware). The business is beyond the concept/idea stage and has an early prototype of the technology. The business is developing an innovation-led product or service. The Vogt Awards define innovation as a new idea or the invention of a new product or service that creates customer demand. The business is in the early stages, with customer revenue less than $250,000/year to date. The business has a lifetime funding maximum of $500,000 (this includes grants, investments, and loans but excludes founders’ personal investments). Applications will be given stronger consideration by the Selection Committee if these aspects are included and well-described in a founder’s application: The business is leveraging technology, making use of new advances in technology for the purpose of better serving customers, gaining a competitive advantage, and/or evolving the marketplace. The business is leveraging technology in a new, unique, or original way to develop a new product or service. The product or service being developed has a protectable advantage (intellectual asset) in the market. The business is developing a business model that is scalable — revenue has the potential to grow quickly, along with improving profitability. The product or service being developed doesn’t require a long regulatory approval cycle (for example, companies working on a new drug may be excluded). For more information, visit Community Foundation of Louisville.

This program provides funding to universities in eligible states to enhance their research capabilities in science and engineering that support the needs of the Department of Defense.

This grant provides financial support ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 to small businesses owned by minorities, women, and veterans in Boone, Campbell, and Kenton counties in Northern Kentucky, helping them with various business improvement expenses.

The 501vc® Investment Fund is seeking to invest $200,000 to $300,000 in early-stage climate tech startups in the Greater Midwest region, focusing on sectors like advanced materials, renewable energy, and agriculture technologies.

The Blue Grass Community Foundation is accepting applications for its 2024 Early Childhood Education Literacy Grant. Donor Name: Blue Grass Community Foundation State: Kentucky County: Selected Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/21/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: With funding from the MacAdam Early Childhood and Literacy Fund, Blue Grass Community Foundation seeks to increase equitable access to quality pre-K education, early childhood care programs, and/or literacy programs for students in Central Kentucky. BGCF has the goal of narrowing the achievement gap by supporting those organizations/programs specifically serving low-income students, students of color, English Language Learners (ELL), and students with special needs. Qualified charitable organizations serving Central Kentucky are eligible to submit grant proposals that focus on early childhood teaching and learning; professional development for early childhood educators; parent engagement; and literacy-specific programs for learners of all ages, including adults. Proposals for project support and general operating support will be considered. Funding Information Grant awards will range from $2,500 to $10,000, with the option of renewal for one additional year. Grant Period August 2024 – July 31, 2025. Eligibility Criteria  Applicant organization is located in or providing services to residents of Central Kentucky (counties limited to Anderson, Bourbon, Clark, Fayette, Franklin, Harrison, Jessamine, Madison, Montgomery, Scott and/or Woodford Counties). Applicant organization is classified as a nonprofit charitable organization under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code; has a fiscal sponsor with 501(c)(3) designation; or is a publicly supported organization such as a school district, municipality, or government agency. Applicant organization does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, citizenship status, creed, religion, religious affiliation, age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, veteran status or any other protected status under applicable law. An organization with religious affiliation will be considered for funding only if the project for which it seeks support attempts to address the needs of the wider community without regard to religious beliefs. Applicant organization does not have any overdue final reports for any previous grants funded by the Community Foundation. For more information, visit BGCF.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and educational institutions in the Cumberland Plateau and Southern Appalachians to restore ecosystems, improve habitats, and promote sustainable agricultural practices.

This grant provides funding and resources to early-stage ag-tech businesses in Kentucky to develop and market innovative solutions that enhance the agricultural industry.

This scholarship provides financial support to high school seniors in the Greater Cincinnati area, helping them pursue higher education at accredited institutions while fostering community contributions.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to schools and organizations in the Greater Cincinnati area for summer programs that enrich children's learning and development through engaging activities.

This program provides financial support to individual Black, Indigenous, and People of Color artists in Greater Cincinnati to create and showcase projects that explore themes of truth and innovation related to social justice and equity in July 2025.

This funding opportunity supports educational programs and events for children aged birth to 18 in the Greater Cincinnati area, aimed at enhancing their academic success and social-emotional skills.

This funding program provides equity-free grants to local entrepreneurs in the Greater Cincinnati Region, supporting early-stage and revenue-generating businesses in sectors like Retail, Manufacturing, and Tech, with a focus on innovation and community impact.

This funding opportunity supports projects in the Appalachian region that help individuals recovering from substance use disorders gain access to job training and employment services, fostering sustainable recovery and economic independence.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations in Louisville/Jefferson County, Kentucky, that provide programs aimed at reducing homelessness, enhancing financial stability, and increasing access to resources for targeted populations.

This funding opportunity supports graduate students in the Southern U.S. conducting research projects that promote sustainable agriculture and address key challenges faced by farmers and agricultural communities.