The phrase "were granted" can be replaced with a number of synonyms in order to add variety to writing and make it more interesting. Some possible alternatives include "were given," "were awarded," "were bestowed," "were provided," "were permitted," and "were allowed." Each of these options conveys a slightly different meaning, so it's important to choose the synonym that best fits the context of the sentence. For example, "were awarded" might be more appropriate if the grant was the result of some sort of competition or achievement, while "were allowed" would work better if the grant was permission to do something.