Find Grants for Your Invention Automatically
Tell us about your invention once. Grant Finder Pro scans SBIR programs, federal innovation grants, and prize competitions, matches them to your work, and alerts you when new funding opens — no manual searching required.
Types of inventor grants we surface
We search across SBIR.gov, Grants.gov, and other sources so you don't have to.
SBIR for Inventors
If you've formed or can form a small business around your invention, SBIR Phase I grants ($275K) are the most powerful funding tool for individual inventors doing R&D.
- NIH SBIR — biomedical inventions
- NSF SBIR — technology innovations
- DOE SBIR — energy inventions
- DOD SBIR — defense applications
Innovation & Invention Grants
Specific programs for individual inventors including prize competitions, state innovation funds, and agency-specific inventor support programs.
- USPTO Patent Pro Bono Program
- State inventor programs
- Innovation competition prizes
- University technology transfer grants
Industry-Specific Programs
Energy, agriculture, environment, and health agencies run programs specifically targeting technology development that can include individual inventors.
- DOE ARPA-E programs
- USDA NIFA Innovation Grants
- EPA Pollution Prevention
- NSF I-Corps for inventors
Funding across every invention category
Whether your invention is a medical device, clean energy solution, or agricultural technology, Grant Finder Pro finds opportunities matched to your work.
How it works
Describe your invention
Tell us what your invention does, what industry it serves, and your current stage. We'll use this to find the best-fit grants.
Get matched to inventor funding
We scan SBIR.gov, Grants.gov, and other sources every 6 hours to surface grants that match your invention's focus area.
Draft your application with AI
Use our AI proposal writer to draft your technical narrative. No grant writer needed — just review, edit, and submit.
Frequently asked questions
Can independent inventors apply for SBIR grants?
Yes, but you typically need to form or have a small business entity. SBIR requires the principal investigator to be primarily employed by the small business at the time of the award. Many inventors form an LLC or C-corp specifically to apply for SBIR funding.
I'm an individual with an idea but no company. Can Grant Finder Pro help me?
Yes. Grant Finder Pro can show you what funding is available for your invention's technology area so you can plan your path. If SBIR is the right fit, we'll walk you through what's needed. Some prize competitions and state programs also accept individual applicants.
What SBIR Phase I funding is available for inventors?
NIH, NSF, DOE, DOD, and 8 other federal agencies each run SBIR programs. Phase I grants range from $150K (DOD) to $275K (NIH/NSF) and are designed to prove technical feasibility. Phase II grants can reach $1.8M for further development.
How does Grant Finder Pro know which grants fit my invention?
You describe your invention's focus area (e.g., medical devices, clean energy, agricultural technology) and eligibility in your profile. We score every incoming grant solicitation against your profile and surface the best matches — including specific SBIR topics that fit your technology.
Are there grants for inventors without a technical background?
SBIR focuses on technical R&D and typically requires scientific qualifications. But other programs — like certain SBA programs, state economic development grants, and innovation prizes — are more accessible to non-technical inventors with strong commercialization plans.
Also see
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