Where AI grants come from
AI funding can come from federal R&D agencies, university challenges, economic-development programs, defense innovation offices, health and energy programs, and corporate competitions.
Artificial intelligence funding
AI Grants for Startups & Machine Learning Companies
Find AI grants, machine-learning startup funding, SBIR opportunities, competitions, and non-dilutive programs for artificial intelligence companies and research teams.
Last updated
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Data sources
Sources include Grants.gov, SAM.gov, SBIR.gov, CareerOneStop, state agencies, universities, and verified organizations.
Refresh cadence
Listings are checked weekly where source data allows, with stale or closed programs removed from public results.
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Featured funding opportunities
Unlocking Dataset Value for AI-Enabled Scientific Discovery
NSF
GRANTFEDERALEquity-Free
Amount variesNov 4, 2026
Verified Aug 12, 2026
PRIMED-AI: Data-to-Model Academic-Industrial Partnerships (D2M-AIP) for Precision Medicine with AI: Integrating Imaging with Multimodal Data (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Optional)
HHS-NIH11
GRANTFEDERALEquity-Free
Amount variesOct 19, 2026
Verified Jul 3, 2026
GlobalX Challenge 26.1: AI-Native Air Interface for Tactical Communication Networks
DOD-ONR
GRANTFEDERALEquity-Free
Amount variesOpen
Verified Sep 23, 2026
MA: World Medical Innovation Forum: AI In Medicine
Massachusetts Technology Collaborative
GRANTSTATE
Amount variesOpen
Verified Sep 13, 2026
NJ: Startups Supported by CSIT Programs Raised Over $524M in Follow-up Funding and Created Nearly 1,800 Jobs
New Jersey Economic Development Authority
GRANTSTATEEquity-Free
$524,000,000Open
Verified Aug 12, 2026
Strong fit signals
Programs tend to favor teams with a clear technical problem, data access, defensible model or workflow, responsible AI controls, commercialization potential, and a credible implementation plan.
Non-dilutive paths for AI startups
SBIR/STTR grants, pitch competitions, challenge prizes, and pilot programs can help AI startups fund validation without selling equity too early.
Application reminders
Confirm data-use rules, IP terms, agency topic fit, eligible costs, and whether the funder requires academic, nonprofit, government, or industry partners.