SCRA Acceleration Grant

About this programme

The SCRA Acceleration Grant is run by the South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA), a public, non-profit organization chartered in 1983 by the State of South Carolina to fuel the state's innovation economy across sectors including Advanced Materials/Manufacturing, Life Sciences, and Information Technology. 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 provides early-stage funding to accelerate a company's technology and/or business model to the next level of maturity and market readiness, positioning established early-stage companies for a future SC Launch Inc. investment.

How it works

Acceleration Grants provide up to $50,000, and a company is allowed one Acceleration Grant during its lifetime. SCRA may choose to distribute the funds in a stage-gate manner, in a maximum of two tranches tied to company-defined milestones; the second tranche is released only after the milestones tied to the first are met.

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

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Companies that pass initial review are invited to present at the next available monthly SCRA Review Meeting using the SCRA Pitch Deck Template. Companies are typically notified of the decision within 48 hours of presenting, and approved awards are typically funded within 30 calendar days of notification.

Who can apply

The company must be registered as a for-profit business with the SC Secretary of State, with its principal place of business in South Carolina or at least 51% of its full-time equivalent employees located in the state.

The company must be an active SCRA Member Company; a company may apply to become a Member Company and request grant funding at the same time.

The company must be based on some form of technology, ideally protected by intellectual property.

Review criteria include technology sector fit, an experienced management team, technical viability with protected and hard-to-replicate IP, market viability with a clear value proposition and path to market, a credible funding plan, and potential for economic impact such as job creation.

How to apply

1. Contact your assigned Relationship Manager to be invited to apply.
2. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
3. If you pass initial review, you're invited to present at the next monthly SCRA Review Meeting using the SCRA Pitch Deck Template.
4. You'll receive notification of SCRA's decision and next steps, typically within 48 hours of your presentation.
5. If approved, awards are typically funded within 30 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.