About this programme
Project Olympus Spark Grants are micro-grants, up to $3,000, from Carnegie Mellon's Swartz Center for Entrepreneurship. They're meant for founders already working through a Project Olympus or Swartz Center program who need to hit a specific, meaningful milestone or get past a barrier during the discovery phase.
Since 2007, the fund has awarded 82 teams a total of $275,000, and those awardees have gone on to secure $142 million in additional funding.
Who can apply
The team must have a current student founder or co-founder.
The team must be actively involved in Swartz Center or Project Olympus programming, such as Customer Discovery Kickstart, NSF I-Corps, Innovation Scholars, Swartz Fellows, or a prior Gebhardt Sandbox Fund or Beyond 2% grant.
The team must have met over time with a Project Olympus or Swartz Center Entrepreneur-in-Residence.
How to apply
- Get involved in Swartz Center / Project Olympus programming and work with an Entrepreneur-in-Residence over time before applying.
- Apply during the fall funding cycle; the fall 2025 cycle is closed and the next cycle opens in fall 2026.
Frequently asked
What can I spend a Spark Grant on?
Approved uses include attending a key conference or event to do customer discovery, hiring an intern to develop a proof-of-concept or MVP, or buying specialty equipment to build a proof-of-concept or MVP.
What can't I spend it on?
Legal and patent fees, basic research, generic equipment like a laptop, launching or executing a business plan, and food or drink products are not approved uses.
When can I apply next?
The fall 2025 funding cycle is closed; the next Spark Grant cycle runs in fall 2026.
Do I need to already be in a CMU entrepreneurship program?
Yes. You need to be actively involved in Swartz Center or Project Olympus programming and have an ongoing relationship with an Entrepreneur-in-Residence, not just be a CMU student.
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Reviewed 2026-09-25. Programmes change, so check eligibility, amounts and deadlines on the official page before you apply. CapEasy is a private firm and is not part of any government body.