15 Slides, a five-minute video, and no business plan. That's all it takes to enter a New Mexico student pitch contest where first place pays $10,000. Entries close November 15, and it's the most realistic shot on this list for a founder who's still in school.
The other three run past Halloween, and one stays open into March 2027 unless the money runs out first. Grants are competitive. Treat each one like a lottery ticket you earn with honest paperwork. We opened every official page today. If a number below doesn't match when you click, trust the page.
1. UNM Pitch Deck Competition (New Mexico students)
- Amount: $20,000 in cash prizes. First place gets $10,000, second $5,000, third $2,500, and the other two finalists get $1,250 each. A separate $2,000 award goes to the best resilience idea (think climate, water, or environment).
- Who qualifies: teams of one to three students enrolled at a New Mexico college or university (at least 6 credit hours). You need a 5-minute pitch video and a deck of 15 slides or fewer. No business plan required. Past finalists can't re-enter.
- Deadline: November 15, 2026 at 11:59 PM. Five finalists pitch live at UNM's Lobo Rainforest Building on December 3, 2026.
- Official link: UNM Pitch Deck Competition page
2. Tory Burch Foundation Fellows Program
- Amount: a $2,000 education grant, plus a year of coaching, an advisor network, workshops, and access to capital. About 160 Fellows are picked. Free to apply.
- Who qualifies: women 21 or older who own the largest or equal-largest stake in a for-profit U.S. business that is at least 51% women-owned and makes at least $75,000 a year. You must already be operating. Idea-stage businesses are not eligible. One founder per business.
- Deadline: November 17, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern. Fellows are selected in May 2027.
- Official link: Tory Burch Foundation Fellows page
3. Tribal Tourism Small Business Grant (Montana)
- Amount: up to $10,000 per business, with no match required. About 24 awards from a $240,000 pot.
- Who qualifies: enrolled citizens 18 or older of the 12 federally recognized tribes in Montana, starting or growing a tourism business. Categories include Native American Made in Montana products, vacation rentals and tours, licensed outfitting and guiding, food trucks and other food or grocery businesses. You need proof of enrollment and a State of Montana Okta account to reach the portal, so set that up early.
- Deadline: November 30, 2026 at 11:59 PM.
- Official link: Montana Department of Commerce grant page
4. Small Business Advantage Grant (Pennsylvania)
- Amount: reimbursement of 50% to 80% of project costs, capped at $7,500 to $12,000 depending on the project's environmental impact and location.
- Who qualifies: Pennsylvania businesses with 100 or fewer full-time employees, for projects that cut energy use, pollution, or waste. Lighting, HVAC, and boiler upgrades are the most common wins. The project must save at least $500 and 20% a year, start on or after July 1, 2026, and finish by June 30, 2027.
- Deadline: March 19, 2027, or earlier if the money is all committed. It's first-come, first-served. When the money goes in order, early beats polished.
- Official link: Pennsylvania DEP Small Business Advantage Grant page
Before you apply
A real grant never asks for a processing fee, a gift card, or your bank login to "release" the money. If someone cold-calls you about a grant you never applied for, hang up. Don't pay for a list of grants.
Pick the one or two you actually qualify for. A tight, specific application beats ten rushed ones every time.
Verified on each official page: October 5, 2026.