Freed Fellowship Grant
Freed Studio
$500/mo + $2,500 year-end
Monthly micro-grant with year-end bonus for small business owners
Monthly rolling grant of $500 for one US micro or small business owner, with all Fellows automatically considered for a year-end $2,500 bonus award. Applications accepted on a rolling basis with a $19 application fee. Funds are completely unrestricted. Especially encourages women, minorities, and underrepresented entrepreneurs to apply. Non-profits are not eligible.
- Funding type
- Grant
- Level
- Private
- Amount range
- $500 – $2,500
- Realistic amount
- $500 for monthly Fellows; $2,500 year-end for standout Fellows
- Deadline
- Rolling — submit by midnight ET on the last day of each month to be considered in that month's cycle
- Status
- active
- States
- Nationwide
- Payment model
- lump sum
Who qualifies
- Any micro or small business owner in the United States
- For-profit businesses only (non-profits currently ineligible)
- Women, minorities, and underrepresented entrepreneurs especially encouraged to apply
- No minimum revenue or years-in-operation requirement specified
- $19 non-refundable application fee required
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Any business expense — funds are completely unrestricted
- Marketing and advertising
- Equipment and tools
- Software and subscriptions
- Inventory and supplies
- Professional development
- Hiring or contractor costs
Ineligible expenses
- Non-profit organizations (explicitly excluded)
- Personal non-business expenses
How to apply
-
1
Review the 5C Framework criteria
Understand what reviewers evaluate: Context (market positioning), Content (business narrative), Community (audience), Chemistry (competitive advantage), Commerce (revenue model). Prepare notes on each.
~1 hrs
-
2
Complete online application form
Answer questions about your business through the online form — described as taking 'just a few minutes.' Describe your business, revenue model, and how you'd use the $500.
~1 hrs
-
3
Pay $19 application fee
Non-refundable $19 fee paid at submission. Covers platform and administrative costs.
~0.1 hrs
-
4
Submit by month-end deadline
Applications must be submitted by midnight ET on the last day of the month to be considered in that month's cycle.
~0 hrs
-
5
Receive feedback and award decision
One Fellow selected per month. All Fellows are automatically considered for the year-end $2,500 bonus. Feedback typically arrives by end of the following month.
~0 hrs
The $19 fee filters casual applicants — treat it as a signal to submit a polished narrative. The 5C Framework is the rubric: nail Commerce (show real revenue) and Chemistry (what makes you different). Year-end $2,500 bonus goes to standout monthly Fellows, so monthly winners have a second shot at larger money.
Deadline & timing
Applications accepted year-round on a rolling monthly basis. Submit by end-of-month to be reviewed in that cycle. Feedback typically provided by end of the following month.
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Last reviewed 2026. GrantCompass is an independent funding-discovery tool and is not affiliated with any government agency. Always confirm details on the official program page.