Starting in summer 2021, The LaunchPad at UT Austin is providing $15,000 in grant funding every semester for undergraduate students to pursue entrepreneurial opportunities!

Grant amounts range from $500 to $5,000 and can be used for projects related to customer discovery, prototype development, pilot deployment, travel expenses, living stipends for unpaid and/or low-paying startup internships, and more.

Who’s Eligible

Grants will be awarded to students based on the quality of application and availabilty of funds. Applicants must meet the criteria outlined below. Priority will be given to students participating in UGS programs and success initiatives across campus.

• Current UT undergraduate student

• Aspiring entrepreneur needing financial support to pursue a clearly identified entrepreneurial opportunity

• Takes initiative, are hardworking, and highly adaptable

How to Apply

Interested students should fill out the online application within the application acceptance period. Along with their application, students will be asked to provide the following supporting documents:

• A one-page overview of their entrepreneurial opportunity (Some information to consider sharing: Who are you? What is the opportunity? How will this grant be used? What are your goals? How do you measure success?)
• A budget spreadsheet that breaks down how much you are requesting ($5,000 max) and how you intend to use the funds
• Your updated résumé
• One letter of recommendation

Strong candidates may be invited to participate in a virtual interview. Applicants will be notified by April 14, 2021 if they have been selected or invited to interview for summer 2021 funding.  

Timeline and Expectations: Summer 2021

• Applications open: Monday, March 22 at 9 a.m.

• Applications close: Monday, April 12 at 5 p.m.

• Hear back by Wedneday, April 14

• Funds released: Saturday, May 1

• Monthly progress reports provided by recipients of grants

APPLY HERE

For questions regarding StartUP Grants email us at launchpad@utexas.edu.