We know that founders are working hard to achieve their goals of forming or growing a startup company while balancing their studies, work and life. That’s why we are here to help.
Our microgrant programs serve student, alumni and faculty entrepreneurs who need funding to move new innovations forward. Receiving a financial award provides a valuable learning and life-skills opportunity to develop and experience a number of critical professional practices. These include venture planning and management, budget ownership and management, fiscal responsibility and professional reporting.
Our program not only provides financial support but also mentorship, advising, promotion, and networking opportunities throughout the duration of the grant period. This manifests through the program requirements as detailed on each grant page.
Previous awardees of the Student Entrepreneurship Fund, Think Do Thrive Grants, and Student Project Fund, through Sears think[box], are encouraged to apply.
Check out this quick guide on how to submit a great application.
Thank you to our generous donors, the Burton D. Morgan Foundation and Veale Institute for Entrepreneurship, who made the Microgrant Programs possible.
Available Grants
The Big Idea Grant is made possible by the Veale Institute for Entrepreneurship. This grant is for full time students exploring an idea for a business. Students may apply for up to $1500.
Sponsored by the Burton D. Morgan Foundation, the Morgan Startup Grant is for full-time students, alumni, or faculty of CWRU. Applicants should be operating a revenue generating business or planning to become revenue generating during the funding cycle. Applicants may request up to $3000.
Key Dates
Application Opens: August 3, 2026 at 9 a.m.
Application Closes: September 11, 2026 at 5 p.m.
Please Note: Applications are no longer reviewed on a rolling basis.
FAQ
Full-time CWRU undergraduate students (at least 12 credit hours) and full-time CWRU graduate students (at least 9 credit hours or one credit hour of thesis) are eligible for both grant opportunities.
CWRU alumni (up to 15 years after year of graduation) and faculty are also eligible for the Morgan Startup Grant.
Which grant is best suited for you depends on your eligibility and how far into the process of your business or idea you are. See each grant page for more information regarding eligibility.
Each grant has specific commitments that are required if you are accepted as a grantee. Visit the appropriate grant information page to learn more.
No.
You may not apply to multiple grants for the same project. The goal is for you to think critically about your stage of development and the immediate needs for your business. We will only award a maximum of one grant per applicant.
Faculty must maintain full-time faculty status during the grant period in order to apply. If an adjunct faculty member intends to apply, they must have 3 consecutive contracts that include the academic year of the grant they are applying to.
Questions?
If you have any more questions about our grant programs, please email CWRU LaunchNET Assistant Director, Brittain Elswick, at brittain.elswick@case.edu.