US Ignite works closely with communities, military bases, startups, and researchers to solve their toughest economic development and technology innovation challenges by delivering customized results through stakeholder engagement, technical expertise, and targeted tools.
US Ignite Inc’s recent grantmaking is shaped by a pattern of large subawards to universities and research partners, with several awards above $2 million supporting advanced networking and regional innovation work. The strongest recurring recipient is the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, which appears in multiple years with grants of $3,150,087 in 2023, $2,918,553 in 2024, and $2,155,554 in 2025. Iowa State University of Science and Technology in Ames, Iowa, and North Carolina State University in Raleigh also appear repeatedly at multi-million-dollar levels, indicating a multi-year research and implementation portfolio rather than isolated project grants. The foundation’s active programs point to a mix of broadband access, smart-city technology, entrepreneurship, and capacity-building work. Project OVERCOME focused on proof-of-concept broadband networks for unserved and underserved populations, while the US Ignite Startup Accelerator supports early-stage smart city startups with training, mentoring, and in-kind resources. Across the recent awards, US Ignite Inc combines university-based research, community pilots, and regional innovation support through subawards and program administration.
A major thread in US Ignite Inc’s work is broadband and digital equity. Through Project OVERCOME, it awarded $3,292,978 to Iowa State University of Science and Technology in Ames for a broadband connectivity demonstration program designed to help selected communities design, build, and deploy proof-of-concept networks. Another focus is smart-city startup development: the US Ignite Startup Accelerator provides training, mentoring, access to communities, and in-kind support for early-stage companies working on city technology applications. Regional economic development also appears through SURGE, an NSF-funded initiative intended to help regional coalitions turn innovation strategies into measurable results. The organization also supports technical assistance and capacity-building through US Ignite Communities, which helps local and regional coalitions identify funding opportunities and build grant readiness.
US Ignite Inc’s grant sizes are substantial: the typical award is $52,292 at the 25th percentile, $152,546 at the median, and $355,941 at the 75th percentile. The recent record also shows much larger subawards, especially to research universities. The same institutions appear across multiple years, including the University of Utah, Iowa State University of Science and Technology, North Carolina State University, Northeastern University, Rice University, and the Wireless Research Center of North Carolina, pointing to recurring relationships rather than one-off awards. The foundation is a regular funder, not a DAF, and it does not fund individuals or make program-related investments. Its startup accelerator is one of the few programs that explicitly accepts unsolicited applications; the other active programs described here do not.
$10.2M
$4.4M
$17.4M
$16.7M
Most grants fall between $52K and $356K, with a median of $153K.
25th Percentile
$52K
Median
$153K
75th Percentile
$356K
About 2% of grants go to recipients in UT.
NICHOLAS MAYNARD
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US Ignite Inc gives nationally, but its recent awards cluster in a few places. Utah stands out through repeated awards to Salt Lake City recipients at the University of Utah. North Carolina also appears often, with grants to Raleigh and Wake Forest. Other recurring recipient locations include Ames, Iowa; Houston, Texas; Boston, Massachusetts; and Piscataway, New Jersey. The country distribution is entirely U.S.-based in the recent grants list, with 61 grants going to U.S. recipients.
Recent grants are dominated by universities and research institutions, including the University of Utah, Iowa State University of Science and Technology, North Carolina State University, Northeastern University, Rice University, and the Wireless Research Center of North Carolina. The active-program descriptions also point to municipalities, regional coalitions, startups, and community stakeholders as key beneficiaries.
The distribution centers at $52,292 for the 25th percentile, $152,546 at the median, and $355,941 at the 75th percentile. The recent list also includes multi-million-dollar subawards, showing that the organization uses both mid-sized grants and very large research or program awards.
Among the active programs listed, the US Ignite Startup Accelerator accepts unsolicited applications. The other named programs — SURGE, US Ignite Communities, Project OVERCOME, and Startup Support — are described as programmatic efforts rather than open application channels.
The foundation’s stated focus areas include broadband and digital equity, smart cities technologies, advanced wireless research such as 5G/6G and PAWR, economic development and regional innovation, startup acceleration and entrepreneurship, public safety and transportation, and data governance and privacy. Program descriptions also emphasize technical assistance, capacity-building, and demonstration projects.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY | AMES, IA | $3,292,978 | 2025 | SUBAWARD |
| NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY | RALEIGH, NC | $2,729,842 | 2025 | SUBAWARD |
| UNIVERSITY OF UTAH | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $2,155,554 | 2025 | SUBAWARD |
| NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY | BOSTON, MA | $924,747 | 2025 | SUBAWARD |
| RICE UNIVERSITY | HOUSTON, TX | $453,180 | 2025 | SUBAWARD |
| WIRELESS RESEARCH CENTER OF NORTH CAROLINA | WAKE FOREST, NC | $292,025 | 2025 | SUBAWARD |
| MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY | MISSISSIPPI STATE, MS | $102,725 | 2025 | SUBAWARD |
| THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY | COLUMBUS, OH | $75,720 | 2025 | SUBAWARD |
| CITY OF SAN JOSE | SAN JOSE, CA | $75,000 | 2025 | SUBAWARD |
| THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY (RUTGERS) | PISCATAWAY, NJ | $72,037 | 2025 | SUBAWARD |
| INTERNATIONAL COMPUTER SCIENCE INSTITUTE | BERKELEY, CA | $44,217 | 2025 | SUBAWARD |
| THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA IRVINE | OAKLAND, CA | $21,613 | 2025 | SUBAWARD |
| TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY | HOUSTON, TX | $6,619 | 2025 | SUBAWARD |
| UNIVERSITY OF UTAH | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $2,918,553 | 2024 | SUBAWARD |
| IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY | AMES, IA | $1,288,887 | 2024 | SUBAWARD |
| NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY | RALEIGH, NC | $1,269,765 | 2024 | SUBAWARD |
| NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY | BOSTON, MA | $682,881 | 2024 | SUBAWARD |
| THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY (RUTGERS) | PISCATAWAY, NJ | $545,520 | 2024 | SUBAWARD |
| ZYLINIUM RESEARCH LLC | ATLANTA, GA | $410,518 | 2024 | SUBAWARD |
| RICE UNIVERSITY | HOUSTON, TX | $304,665 | 2024 | SUBAWARD |
| WIRELESS RESEARCH CENTER OF NORTH CAROLINA | WAKE FOREST, NC | $279,991 | 2024 | SUBAWARD |
| MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY | MISSISSIPPI STATE, MS | $230,283 | 2024 | SUBAWARD |
| CITY OF LAS VEGAS | LAS VEGAS, NV | $209,383 | 2024 | SUBAWARD |
| THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA IRVINE | OAKLAND, CA | $184,555 | 2024 | SUBAWARD |
| THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY | COLUMBUS, OH | $71,168 | 2024 | SUBAWARD |
| JUGANU USA INC | NEW YORK, NY | $53,000 | 2024 | SUBAWARD |
| TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY | HOUSTON, TX | $35,398 | 2024 | SUBAWARD |
| UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA | COLUMBIA, SC | $32,499 | 2024 | SUBAWARD |
| PURDUE UNIVERSITY | WEST LAFAYETTE, IN | $26,907 | 2024 | SUBAWARD |
| THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL | CHAPEL HILL, NC | $7,028 | 2024 | SUBAWARD |
| UNIVERSITY OF UTAH | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $3,150,087 | 2023 | SUBAWARD |
| NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY | RALEIGH, NC | $2,288,994 | 2023 | SUBAWARD |
| IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY | AMES, IA | $2,135,306 | 2023 | SUBAWARD |
| RICE UNIVERSITY | HOUSTON, TX | $1,023,098 | 2023 | SUBAWARD |
| NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY | BOSTON, MA | $707,700 | 2023 | SUBAWARD |
| ZYLINIUM RESEARCH LLC | ATLANTA, GA | $459,020 | 2023 | SUBAWARD |
| WIRELESS RESEARCH CENTER OF NORTH CAROLINA | WAKE FOREST, NC | $337,749 | 2023 | SUBAWARD |
| DIGITALC | CLEVELAND, OH | $251,843 | 2023 | SUBAWARD |
| MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY | MISSISSIPPI STATE, MS | $248,570 | 2023 | SUBAWARD |
| ALLIED MEDIA PROJECTS | DETROIT, MI | $234,077 | 2023 | SUBAWARD |
| KEYSIGHT TECHNOLOGIES | SANTA ROSA, CA | $229,584 | 2023 | SUBAWARD |
| WESTCHESTER COUNTY ASSOCIATION | WHITE PLAINS, NY | $226,405 | 2023 | SUBAWARD |
| THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY (RUTGERS) | PISCATAWAY, NJ | $167,067 | 2023 | SUBAWARD |
| TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY | HOUSTON, TX | $138,025 | 2023 | SUBAWARD |
| LIBRARIES WITHOUT BORDERS | WASHINGTON, DC | $136,460 | 2023 | SUBAWARD |
| UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN | ANN ARBOR, MI | $130,652 | 2023 | SUBAWARD |
| NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION | AUSTIN, TX | $126,324 | 2023 | SUBAWARD |
| THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL | CHAPEL HILL, NC | $121,009 | 2023 | SUBAWARD |
| THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA IRVINE | OAKLAND, CA | $117,988 | 2023 | SUBAWARD |
| ONWARD EUGENE | EUGENE, OR | $105,958 | 2023 | SUBAWARD |
IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
$3,292,978SUBAWARD
NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY
$2,729,842SUBAWARD
UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
$2,155,554SUBAWARD
NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY
$924,747SUBAWARD
RICE UNIVERSITY
$453,180SUBAWARD
WIRELESS RESEARCH CENTER OF NORTH CAROLINA
$292,025SUBAWARD
MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY
SUBAWARD
THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
$75,720SUBAWARD
CITY OF SAN JOSE
$75,000SUBAWARD
THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY (RUTGERS)
$72,037SUBAWARD
INTERNATIONAL COMPUTER SCIENCE INSTITUTE
$44,217SUBAWARD
THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA IRVINE
$21,613SUBAWARD
TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY
$6,619SUBAWARD
UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
$2,918,553SUBAWARD
IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
$1,288,887SUBAWARD
NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY
$1,269,765SUBAWARD
NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY
$682,881SUBAWARD
THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY (RUTGERS)
$545,520SUBAWARD
ZYLINIUM RESEARCH LLC
$410,518SUBAWARD
RICE UNIVERSITY
$304,665SUBAWARD
WIRELESS RESEARCH CENTER OF NORTH CAROLINA
$279,991SUBAWARD
MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY
$230,283SUBAWARD
CITY OF LAS VEGAS
$209,383SUBAWARD
THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA IRVINE
$184,555SUBAWARD
THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
$71,168SUBAWARD
JUGANU USA INC
$53,000SUBAWARD
TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY
$35,398SUBAWARD
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA
$32,499SUBAWARD
PURDUE UNIVERSITY
$26,907SUBAWARD
THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL
$7,028SUBAWARD
UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
$3,150,087SUBAWARD
NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY
$2,288,994SUBAWARD
IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
$2,135,306SUBAWARD
RICE UNIVERSITY
$1,023,098SUBAWARD
NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY
$707,700SUBAWARD
ZYLINIUM RESEARCH LLC
$459,020SUBAWARD
WIRELESS RESEARCH CENTER OF NORTH CAROLINA
$337,749SUBAWARD
DIGITALC
$251,843SUBAWARD
MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY
$248,570SUBAWARD
ALLIED MEDIA PROJECTS
$234,077SUBAWARD
KEYSIGHT TECHNOLOGIES
$229,584SUBAWARD
WESTCHESTER COUNTY ASSOCIATION
$226,405SUBAWARD
THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY (RUTGERS)
$167,067SUBAWARD
TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY
$138,025SUBAWARD
LIBRARIES WITHOUT BORDERS
$136,460SUBAWARD
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
$130,652SUBAWARD
NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION
$126,324SUBAWARD
THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL
$121,009SUBAWARD
THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA IRVINE
$117,988SUBAWARD
ONWARD EUGENE
$105,958SUBAWARD
Current and upcoming funding from Us Ignite that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Open to for-profit companies, nonprofit organizations, universities and research institutions, startup companies, and teams or consortia led by one eligible entity.
Deadline: Applications due July 16, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. ET.
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Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
