Microgrants

11 funding opportunities

Smaller awards (typically <$50,000) for early-stage projects, experiments, and individual builders.

Overview

Microgrants are small, flexible funding opportunities designed for quick experimentation, side projects, and early-stage ideas. They typically have simpler application processes and faster decision timelines than traditional grants.

Key Features

  • Amount: $500 - $100,000 (most under $10,000)
  • Timeline: Often rapid decisions (days to weeks)
  • Process: Simplified applications, less bureaucracy
  • Flexibility: Broad use cases, experimental projects welcomed
  • Audience: Students, indie builders, early-stage researchers, OSS developers

All Microgrant Opportunities

General Purpose

Emergent Ventures

  • Amount: $1,000-$100,000
  • Deadline: Rolling applications
  • Region: Global
  • Domains: All fields
  • Description: Supporting innovative ideas and moonshot projects

Awesome Foundation Microgrants

  • Amount: $1,000
  • Deadline: Monthly (by chapter)
  • Region: Global
  • Domains: All fields
  • Description: Monthly microgrants for awesome projects

1517 Fund

  • Amount: Variable (equity investment)
  • Deadline: Rolling applications
  • Region: Global
  • Domains: Technology, science
  • Description: Supporting young founders dropping out to build companies

AI & Machine Learning

AI Grant

  • Amount: $2,500-$5,000
  • Deadline: Varies
  • Region: Global
  • Domains: AI, machine learning
  • Description: Supporting AI researchers and builders

Open Source & Technology

Google Summer of Code

  • Amount: $1,500-$3,000 (stipends)
  • Deadline: March-April (annually)
  • Region: Global
  • Domains: Open source software
  • Description: Summer program for students contributing to open source

Mozilla Grants

  • Amount: $10,000-$50,000 (Common Awards)
  • Deadline: Varies by program
  • Region: Global
  • Domains: Open internet, privacy, web technologies
  • Description: Support for open internet and privacy projects

NumFOCUS Small Development Grants

  • Amount: $2,000-$10,000
  • Deadline: Twice yearly
  • Region: Global
  • Domains: Scientific computing, data science
  • Description: For scientific computing open source projects

Python Software Foundation Grants

  • Amount: Typically $500-$5,000
  • Deadline: Rolling applications
  • Region: Global
  • Domains: Python ecosystem
  • Description: Support for Python community projects and events

Unitary Fund Microgrants

  • Amount: $4,000
  • Deadline: Rolling applications
  • Region: Global
  • Domains: Quantum technology
  • Description: For quantum technology open source projects

Science & Research

Fast Grants

  • Amount: $10,000-$500,000
  • Deadline: Rolling (rapid decisions)
  • Region: Global
  • Domains: Life sciences, COVID research
  • Description: Rapid funding for science projects (availability varies)

Academic Resources

Internet Archive Scholar Program

  • Amount: Free access to resources
  • Deadline: Rolling applications
  • Region: Global
  • Domains: All fields
  • Description: Free access to books and resources for scholars

Why Apply for Microgrants?

Advantages

  • Speed: Decisions often in days/weeks vs. months/years
  • Simplicity: Shorter applications, less bureaucracy
  • Experimentation: Test ideas before seeking larger funding
  • No Strings: Often fewer reporting requirements
  • Accessibility: Open to students, indie developers, non-academics
  • Multiple Applications: Can apply to many simultaneously

Best Use Cases

  • Testing a new research direction
  • Building a proof-of-concept
  • Attending conferences
  • Purchasing equipment for side projects
  • Supporting open source development
  • Community building
  • Creative/artistic experiments

Tips for Success

  • Be specific: Clear, concrete plans work better than vague ideas
  • Show traction: Even small evidence of progress helps
  • Personal connection: Many microgrants value founder/researcher fit
  • Quick turnaround: Have budget and timeline ready
  • Apply broadly: Don’t put all eggs in one basket

Application Strategies

For Students

  • Combine with academic work where possible
  • Use microgrants to explore ideas outside thesis
  • Perfect for summer projects
  • Build portfolio for larger grants later

For Indie Builders

  • Bootstrap with multiple microgrants
  • Use for MVPs and prototypes
  • Document progress publicly for future applications
  • Network through funder communities

For Researchers

  • Pilot risky/novel ideas
  • Fund gaps between major grants
  • Build preliminary data for larger proposals
  • Support conference travel and collaboration

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