To find a small-business grant, match the proposed use of funds to an eligible applicant, location, and current program notice—then apply through the agency or organization that actually awards the money. There is no general U.S. Small Business Administration grant for starting or expanding an individual business, but specific research, export, and state or local programs may fit some businesses. This guide to how to find and get small business grants explains where to look, how to check eligibility, and how to avoid mistaking a grant for another kind of funding.
Are there grants for starting a small business?
Not as a general SBA startup grant. The SBA says it does not provide grants to start or expand an individual business. Its grant funding generally supports nonprofits, resource partners, and educational organizations that provide entrepreneurship counseling and training. That statement is about SBA grants; it does not mean no state, local, or private grant could ever be available to a business. Check each program’s official rules rather than assuming a grant will cover ordinary startup costs. SBA grants guidance
Some federal opportunities have narrower purposes or award a different type of applicant. The key question is not only whether a program is called a grant, but whether your business is the eligible recipient and whether your planned expense is allowed.
Which grant paths might fit a small business?
| Program path | Who receives funding | Potential fit | What to verify |
|---|---|---|---|
| SBIR and STTR research and development awards | Eligible small businesses applying to participating agencies | Scientific research and development that matches an agency’s needs and an active solicitation | Current topic, agency solicitation, business eligibility, deadlines, and award terms |
| State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) | State and territorial governments receive SBA awards; businesses should contact their jurisdiction’s STEP awardee | Eligible export activities, which may include trade missions, translation, trade-show exhibits, export training, or certain market-development services | Whether the activity and business qualify under the local awardee’s current rules |
| State and local incentives | Varies by program; confirm the named recipient | Location-specific objectives such as job creation, energy efficiency, redevelopment, or technology | Geography, eligible costs, matching terms, application window, and funding status |
| PRIME | Eligible nonprofit microenterprise development organizations | Support for qualifying organizations serving microentrepreneurs, not a general grant application for an ordinary for-profit business | Whether your organization meets the nonprofit applicant requirements |
Research and development: SBIR and STTR
A small business conducting scientific R&D may be a candidate for Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) or Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) awards. These are competitive awards tied to participating agencies’ research needs, not unrestricted business capital. SBA’s Grow Your Business guidance says the programs provide “Over $4 billion each year” in early-stage capital through the competitive awards process; the page does not state a year for that figure. Treat it as SBA’s reported program figure, not as money available to any one applicant. Start with an agency’s current topic and solicitation, then follow that notice’s requirements.
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Exports: STEP
STEP money is awarded to state and territorial governments, not directly by SBA to an individual business. A small business pursuing exports should contact its state or territory’s STEP awardee to ask whether a specific activity is covered. SBA lists trade missions, translation, trade-show exhibits, export training, and some market-development services as examples of eligible activities. The local administrator’s current rules determine whether a business, expense, and timing qualify. SBA grants guidance
State and local programs
Economic-development incentives depend on place and policy priorities. Search the state, county, and city economic-development websites where the business operates or plans to locate. Look for the actual awarding agency and its current notice, not just a directory listing. An SBA office, Small Business Development Center, or Women’s Business Center may be able to point you toward relevant local resources. SBA launch guidance
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PRIME and other nonprofit-focused grants
PRIME supports eligible nonprofit microenterprise development organizations, rather than serving as a general funding source for for-profit small businesses. More broadly, some grants pay an intermediary, nonprofit, university, or public entity that delivers services to businesses. Confirm who is legally eligible to apply and receive the award before investing time in an application. SBA grants guidance
How to find and apply for a grant
- Define the use of funds. Write one sentence naming the expense or outcome: for example, scientific R&D, entering an export market, creating local jobs, improving energy efficiency, or general startup costs. If you need unrestricted startup or expansion capital, SBA grants are not a match.
- Identify the applicant. Determine whether the applicant is a for-profit company, nonprofit, local government, university, or partner organization. Do not confuse a grant that funds a support organization or state program with money paid directly to your business.
- Search by purpose and place. For R&D, review SBIR/STTR opportunities and agency-specific topics. For export costs, contact the STEP awardee in your state or territory. For local incentives, search state and municipal economic-development sites and ask a nearby SBA office, SBDC, or WBC what may apply. SBA’s launch guidance and grants page are starting points, not a complete list of every local opportunity.
- Read the awarding body’s current notice. Check eligible applicants and locations, allowed costs, matching requirements, award form, opening and closing dates, required registrations, and reporting duties. Use the current official notice instead of relying on a promotional directory. Grant availability, deadlines, and rules can change.
- Contact the program before drafting. Ask whether your business type and proposed use qualify, whether the application is open and funds remain, whether costs incurred before an award are excluded, and what evidence is required. Keep the official contact details and notice for reference.
- Get proposal assistance. SBA resource partners include SBDCs, SCORE, Women’s Business Centers, and Veterans Business Outreach Centers. SBDCs provide technical assistance to help entrepreneurs obtain capital. Ask a local center what help it offers for the specific grant you are pursuing. SBA Office of Entrepreneurial Development and SBA Resource Hubs
How to compare programs before applying
If several opportunities look plausible, compare the rules that determine whether an application is realistic. A program’s headline amount matters less than fit, eligibility, and the work required to comply.
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- Purpose: Does the program fund R&D, export activity, a local economic goal, or nonprofit assistance?
- Recipient: Does the business receive the award, or does funding go to a state, nonprofit, university, or intermediary?
- Geography and eligibility: Is the business in the covered place, at the right stage, and of an eligible type?
- Costs and match: Are the planned expenses permitted, and must the applicant contribute matching funds?
- Competition and terms: Is the award competitive, and what conditions attach to the funds?
- Timing and administration: Is the opportunity open and funded? What registrations, documentation, and reporting will be required?
How to avoid grant scams
Verify alleged SBA communications independently. The SBA says: “SBA only communicates from email addresses ending in @sba.gov.” It warns readers to suspect and report messages claiming to represent SBA that use another email domain. Do not rely on a link in a fee-requesting email; navigate to the SBA’s official site yourself and confirm the program and contact there. SBA grants guidance
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.If a grant is not the right fit
Do not treat every funding opportunity as a grant. Loans and loan guarantees create repayment obligations; tax credits reduce eligible tax liabilities; procurement preferences affect contracting opportunities; and investment capital may involve giving up ownership. SBA separately lists investment capital, surety bonds, and grants among additional funding opportunities, while its resource hub discusses loans and hybrid state programs. Compare the terms and obligations before choosing an alternative. SBA additional funding opportunities and SBA Resource Hubs
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