Small business grants 2026 you can actually apply for right now: the Amber Grant awards three $10,000 grants every month (plus three $50,000 year-end grants) to women-owned businesses, and Jobber Grants is giving away $250,000 in 2026 with a top prize of $100,000 and a Phase 1 deadline of June 11, 2026. Federal SBIR/STTR awards run as high as $323,090 for Phase I research. Below is the verified, current list with amounts, eligibility, deadlines, and direct apply links.
On this page
- What counts as a small business grant
- The 2026 grant table (12 programs)
- Federal grants: SBIR, STTR, and state pass-throughs
- Women-owned business grants
- Minority-owned business grants
- How to apply (5 steps)
- People also ask
What counts as a small business grant
> Small business grant (definition): non-dilutive funding you do not repay and that does not take equity in your company. Grants come from federal agencies, state and local economic-development offices, corporations, and private foundations. Unlike a loan, there is no interest and no repayment, which is why competition is high and eligibility rules are strict.
Grants are not the same as loans or revenue-based financing. If you need capital faster than a grant cycle allows, or you don't fit a grant's niche, a lender is usually the realistic path. We track financing programs built for diverse and small businesses in our lender directory.
The 2026 grant table
Every amount and deadline below is sourced. "Recurring" means the program runs on a rolling or monthly cycle through 2026 rather than a single close date.
| Program | Amount | Eligibility | Deadline (2026) | Apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amber Grant (WomensNet) | $10,000 monthly (×3); $50,000 year-end (×3) | Women 18+, 50%+ ownership, US or Canada; $15 application fee | Monthly, rolling | ambergrantsforwomen.com |
| Jobber Grants | $250,000 total: one $100K, one $50K, two $25K, five $10K | Blue-collar / home-service owners 18+, US & Canada (excl. Québec) | Phase 1 closes June 11 | getjobber.com/grants |
| FedEx Entrepreneur Fund | 30 grants of $10,000 | Military-connected entrepreneurs and business owners with disabilities | Check portal | helloalice.com/grants/fedex |
| FedEx Small Business Grant Contest | $50K grand, $30K 2nd, ten $15K (plus print services) | US small businesses; 2026 cycle dates not yet announced | TBD — monitor | fedex.com (Cares) |
| Verizon Digital Ready | Ten $10,000 grants per month | US small businesses that complete 2 free courses/events | Monthly, Jun–Dec | uschamber.com/co |
| Visa Everywhere Initiative | Up to $100,000 (overall winner) | Tech-forward startups integrating Visa products | Competition cycle | Inc. coverage |
| Hello Alice grants | Typically $5,000–$25,000 | Varies by cycle; focus on underserved owners | Multiple cycles | helloalice.com/funding/grants |
| NSF SBIR/STTR Phase I | Up to $305,000 (Fast-Track up to $400,000) | For-profit, US-based, <500 employees, deep-tech R&D | Rolling windows | seedfund.nsf.gov |
| USDA SBIR/STTR Phase I | $125,000–$175,000 | For-profit, US-based ag/rural innovation | Annual solicitation | nifa.usda.gov |
| DoD SBIR/STTR | Up to ~$323,090 Phase I (agency cap) | For-profit, US-based, <500 employees, defense topics | Per BAA cycle | defensesbirsttr.mil |
Sources for the table are linked inline and listed in the fact-check note. The federal SBIR/STTR Phase I ceiling of $323,090 is the figure agencies may award without separate SBA approval as of April 2026, per SBIR.gov.
Federal grants
Federal "small business grants" are narrower than most blogs imply. The federal government does not hand out general-purpose grants to start or grow an ordinary business. The real federal money is research and development through SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) and STTR (Small Business Technology Transfer).
- Who qualifies: a for-profit company located in the US, with fewer than 500 employees, owned and controlled by US citizens or permanent residents. STTR additionally requires a formal partnership with a research institution.
- How much: Phase I awards can reach $323,090 without SBA sign-off. NSF tops out near $305,000 (and up to $400,000 under its Fast-Track pilot). USDA Phase I runs $125,000–$175,000 depending on topic area.
- Where to start: the unified application portal at sbir.gov/apply lists open solicitations across all 11 participating agencies.
For anything outside R&D, the federal pathway is usually a set-aside contract, not a grant. If your goal is government revenue rather than research funding, certification (8(a), WOSB, SDVOSB, HUBZone) is the move — see our certification guides.
Women-owned business grants
The Amber Grant is the most accessible recurring program for women founders. WomensNet awards three $10,000 grants every month, and the monthly winners compete for three $50,000 year-end grants. Eligibility is wide: women 18 or older who own at least 50% of a US- or Canada-based business, including pre-revenue and idea-stage ventures. There is a non-refundable $15 application fee. Apply at ambergrantsforwomen.com.
NerdWallet maintains a longer running list of women-owned business grants worth scanning for niche and regional options.
Minority-owned business grants
Most "minority grant" money flows through corporate and foundation programs (Hello Alice cycles, Verizon Digital Ready, regional chamber programs) and state economic-development offices rather than a single federal grant. The practical strategy: stack a recurring corporate grant like Verizon Digital Ready with any state program your address qualifies for. NerdWallet's grants for minorities list is a solid starting index.
If a grant doesn't materialize on your timeline, certification plus a diversity-friendly lender is the faster route to capital. Compare programs in our lender directory.
How to apply
- Confirm eligibility before you write anything. Read the rules page, not the marketing page. Jobber excludes Québec; the Amber Grant charges $15; SBIR requires US ownership and under 500 employees.
- Gather the standard packet once. EIN, formation documents, a one-page business description, financials, and a clear statement of how you'll use the money. You'll reuse this across applications.
- Match the pitch to the funder's goal. Verizon wants digital-skills completion. FedEx's Entrepreneur Fund wants a military or disability connection. SBIR wants a technical innovation with commercial potential.
- Submit before the deadline closes at the funder's local time. The Amber Grant closes at 11:59 PM Eastern on the last day of each month. Jobber's Phase 1 closes June 11, 2026.
- Have a financing backup. Grant odds are low by design. Line up a lender so a denial doesn't stall you — start with our diversity-friendly lender directory.
People also ask
Are there free small business grants from the government in 2026? Yes, but they're for research and development, not general operating costs. Federal SBIR/STTR grants fund tech and product innovation, with Phase I awards up to $323,090. General "free government grants to start any business" advertised online are almost always scams or misrepresented loans. Start at sbir.gov.
What is the easiest small business grant to get in 2026? The Amber Grant has the lowest barrier to entry: a short application, a $15 fee, and monthly $10,000 awards open to any 50%+ women-owned US or Canadian business. Verizon Digital Ready is also accessible — complete two free courses and you're eligible for monthly $10,000 grants through December 2026.
Do you have to pay back a small business grant? No. A true grant is non-dilutive and non-repayable, with no interest and no equity given up. If a "grant" asks for repayment or an upfront processing fee beyond a small application fee, treat it as a red flag.
How much can a small business get in grants in 2026? It ranges widely. Corporate grants typically run $10,000–$100,000 (Jobber's top prize is $100,000; Visa's Everywhere Initiative awards up to $100,000). Federal SBIR/STTR Phase I awards reach $323,090, and NSF's Fast-Track can hit $400,000.
Where can I find grants for my specific state or city? Every state runs an economic-development agency that publishes active grant and incentive programs. Search "[your state] small business grants 2026," and check your regional chamber of commerce. The US Chamber's CO— resource aggregates many of these.
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Last updated: June 7, 2026. Amounts and deadlines verified against each program's official site; cycle dates change, so confirm on the funder's page before applying.
Maya Okonkwo writes on small business financing and certification for SupplierDiversity.com.
Grant didn't come through, or your timeline is shorter than the next cycle? Compare lenders with financing programs built for diverse and small businesses in our lender directory.
