SCRA Academic Startup Grant

About this programme

The SCRA Academic Startup Grant is run by the South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA), a public, non-profit organization chartered in 1983 by the State of South Carolina, and is managed specifically by SCRA's Academic Innovations team. It funds startups commercializing intellectual property that came out of a South Carolina post-secondary academic institution.

Like SCRA's other grants, it is funded in part by Industry Partnership Fund (IPF) contributions, which give contributors a dollar-for-dollar South Carolina income tax credit. The grant supports critical milestones toward commercialization, with a focus on developing the technology past a minimum viable product (MVP) and demonstrating product-market fit, what SCRA calls the DEVELOP stage of startup development.

How it works

Academic Startup Grants provide up to $25,000. The source document states the company is allowed "one (2) Academic Startup Grant during its lifetime," which is ambiguous in the source text itself between a cap of one and a cap of two.

Funds must assist with commercializing the technology, which may include de-risking the technology or de-risking the business case. Funds cannot be used for rent, licensing fees, legal fees, reimbursement of past expenses, salaries, or profit/fee.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. After documentation is submitted, the Relationship Manager presents the request to the Academic Innovations Team; companies are typically notified within one week, and approved awards are typically funded within 20 calendar days of notification.

Who can apply

The company must be registered as a for-profit business with the SC Secretary of State.

The company's principal place of business must be in South Carolina, or at least 51% of its full-time equivalent employees must be located in the state.

The company must be an active SCRA Member Company to receive the grant. For academic startups, a letter of support recommending SCRA membership and verifying a secured option or license is required from the relevant Technology Transfer Office or equivalent.

The company must be advancing intellectual property from a South Carolina post-secondary academic institution.

How to apply

1. Contact your assigned Relationship Manager to discuss your interest in the grant; based on that meeting, SCRA will provide application materials and instructions.
2. If you pass initial review, your Relationship Manager will invite you to complete a full application.
3. Submit all requested documentation, including a letter of support from your institution's Technology Transfer Office; the Relationship Manager presents your funding request to the Academic Innovations Team.
4. You'll receive notification of SCRA's decision and next steps, typically within one week.
5. If approved, awards are typically funded within 20 calendar days of notification.

Frequently asked

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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.