SBA Small Business Grants: Eligibility & How to Apply

All About SBA Small Business Grants

At some point, most small business owners look for outside capital. Whether you need funds to grow or to get through a rough patch, there are several types of financing to consider. SBA grants are one option worth understanding, even though they’re more limited and specific than most people expect.

This article covers the SBA grant programs still open to small businesses today, how to qualify, and how to apply. It also covers the COVID-19 relief programs SBA ran in past years, since older program names still come up in search results and business forums even though those programs are now closed.

Understanding SBA Grants

The U.S. Small Business Administration, or SBA, is an independent federal agency that supports small businesses. It does this through four main channels: counseling and training, federal contracting assistance, SBA-backed loans, and grants.

SBA grants are available through several programs. Some target small businesses directly, while others fund nonprofits, states, or community organizations that in turn support entrepreneurs. That distinction matters: most SBA “grant” dollars don’t go straight into a small business owner’s bank account.

Programs like STEP fund state and territory governments, and programs supporting SCORE, SBDCs, and veteran-focused organizations fund those resource partners, not individual applicants.

The two programs that fund small businesses directly for research and development are SBIR and STTR, along with the newer Empower To Grow manufacturing grant described below.

Below is the current list of SBA grant programs, split between programs that are still open and older COVID-19 relief programs that have closed.

COVID-19 Relief Programs (No Longer Accepting Applications)

The coronavirus pandemic hit small businesses hard, and SBA introduced several relief programs in response.

All of them have since closed to new applications, but they’re worth knowing about if you’re researching your business’s SBA history or dealing with a program you were previously part of.

Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) — Mainly a loan program, though eligible businesses could also receive a targeted EIDL grant of up to $10,000.
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) — A loan that became forgivable for businesses that met the program’s forgiveness requirements.
Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) — Aimed at venue operators, including live venue promoters and operators, museum, aquarium, and zoo operators, motion picture theater owners and operators, and talent representatives.
Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) — Assisted bars, restaurants, wineries, distilleries, and catering businesses affected by the pandemic.
SBA Debt Relief — Covered payments on existing SBA loans for businesses affected by the pandemic.

Most COVID-19 relief programs stopped accepting new applications by mid-2021.

SVOG in particular closed to new applicants in August 2021 and never reopened. If anything, the trend has run the other way: starting in 2025, SBA began sending repayment demands to more than 600 SVOG recipients over eligibility disputes, and that process was still unfolding as of early 2026.

If you received a COVID-era SBA grant and have questions about your status, contact an SBA resource partner or an attorney rather than relying on older articles that speculated about the program reopening — and check for the latest developments, since this situation may still be changing.

State Trade Expansion Program (STEP)

STEP offers assistance and guidance to small businesses looking to export their products and services, delivered through territory and state government partners in your region. The program has been running since 2011.

To be eligible, you generally need to be new to exporting. STEP assists small businesses by:

Providing guidance on how to export
Supporting participation in export workshops and foreign trade missions
Helping design international marketing campaigns and materials
Covering website translation services
Paying for subscription services offered by the U.S. Department of Commerce and other agencies

Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR)

SBIR is a funding program coordinated by SBA that provides financial assistance to startups and small businesses doing research and development. To be eligible, your business needs a technological component, or research work that meets a federal agency’s needs.

Other eligibility requirements include:

The business must be US-owned.
The business must have fewer than 500 employees.

SBIR funding is competitive but substantial. Current award ranges are:

Phase I (Proof of Concept): $50,000 to $275,000, over 6 to 12 months
Phase II (Technology Development): $750,000 to $1.8 million, over 24 months

You must complete Phase I before applying for Phase II.

Small Business Technology Transfer Program (STTR)

STTR works similarly to SBIR, funding small businesses and startups doing research and development. The key difference is that STTR requires the small business to be in a partnership contract with a research institution.

SBIR and STTR funding is distributed through several federal agencies, including the USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) and NASA. When applying, look for the agency whose mission fits your field and technology.

Empower To Grow (E2G) Manufacturing in America Grant

This is a newer SBA grant program supporting organizations that provide hands-on manufacturing training and technical assistance to small manufacturers, covering areas like operating machinery, quality control, industrial software, and workplace safety.

Eligible applicants for E2G funding include for-profit and not-for-profit organizations — such as trade associations and educational institutions — that have operated continuously for at least three years and have direct experience delivering hands-on manufacturing training or technical assistance.

Application windows open periodically rather than year-round, so check SBA’s grants page for current status before applying.

How to Qualify for an SBA Grant

Before applying for an SBA grant, determine whether you’re eligible. Each program has its own requirements — some involve specific activities like exporting or research and development, while others depend on revenue or time in business.

There’s also a limit on how grant funds can be used. SBA does not provide grants for starting or expanding a business.

To qualify for an SBA grant, your business needs to meet SBA’s definition of a small business. Size standards vary by industry and are measured by either employee count or average annual receipts, depending on the sector.

SBA maintains an official, regularly updated table of small business size standards — check the current figures there rather than relying on numbers printed elsewhere, since SBA periodically revises these thresholds by industry.

Beyond size, a qualifying small business should also be:

Operating for profit
Operating in the United States or contributing to the growth of the U.S. economy

How to Apply for an SBA Grant

The application process varies by grant and by the state or agency behind the funding opportunity, but you can generally follow this process:

1. Make Sure You Are Eligible

Confirm you meet the definition of a small business and any program-specific qualification requirements before applying.

2. Search for the SBA Program That Best Fits Your Small Business

You likely won’t be eligible for every SBA grant. Focus on the programs that match your business or industry.

3. Register for the Grant

Sign up through the website or agency offering the grant you want. For SBIR and STTR, register through SBIR.gov. For STEP programs, register through your local state agency. You can also register and manage federal grant applications through Grants.gov.

Federal grant registration for individuals differs from registration for organizations. Grants.gov defines an organization as an entity such as a nonprofit, state government, or private business.

Before registering, your organization will need a Unique Entity ID (UEI), issued through SAM.gov. The UEI replaced the older DUNS number system in 2022 and is now the standard identifier for federal grants and contracts.

Details you may need to provide on your SBA grant application include:

Number of months or years in business
Number of employees
Revenue details
Financial projections or budget
Your organization’s Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Business plan or pitch deck
Social media handles (Facebook, X, and Instagram)
Your plan for using the funds

A few tips to improve your chances of getting the grant:

Have a business plan. Most states and agencies want to understand you and your business before awarding a grant. This matters most if you haven’t launched the business yet.
Know your financial information. Many SBA grants require revenue and expense details, so keep your bookkeeping records current.
Read the grant instructions. Follow the guidelines closely and provide every document requested — missing paperwork is one of the most common reasons applications lose out.
Get advice. Reach out to the agency or an SBA resource partner in your area. Talking with someone who’s been through the process, or hiring a grant writer, can meaningfully improve your odds.
Research the grant and the agency. Understand why the federal government offers this particular grant, and look into the specific requirements of the agency or state involved.

What to Know About SBA Small Business Grants

A few things to keep in mind as you research and apply for SBA grants:

SBA Grants Don’t Necessarily Have to Be Cash

SBA grants can come as training, workshop or event invitations, or services from federal agencies — not always as direct funding.

No Repayment Clause

Unlike loans, grants don’t need to be repaid.

Grants Are Competitive

Because SBA grants are free money, many small businesses apply for them. Understanding the requirements and the agency behind a grant improves your odds.

Be Cautious of Scammers

Watch for scammers when applying for an SBA grant. If anyone contacts you claiming to be from SBA, check that their email ends in @sba.gov — SBA does not use any other email domain. If something feels off, reach out to an SBA advisor or resource partner, or report fraud through sba.gov.

Conclusion

SBA grants are offered to small businesses, nonprofits, and community organizations that support entrepreneurship through the federal government’s Small Business Administration.

The programs currently open to small businesses directly are SBIR, STTR, and the Empower To Grow manufacturing grant. STEP remains active but funds state and territory governments rather than individual businesses.

COVID-19 relief programs like EIDL, PPP, SVOG, RRF, and SBA Debt Relief have all closed to new applicants.

Before applying, confirm your eligibility and make sure your business meets SBA’s small business definition. An SBA resource partner or agency representative can help guide your application.

Resources

Below are resources to help with SBA grants. Bookmark this page to use them whenever you need them.

How to Identify SBA Grants

The most direct way to identify current SBA grant opportunities is SBA’s own grants page, which lists qualification requirements and program details.

Other useful resources:

Grants.gov

Grants.gov lists grants offered by the federal government. Use it to search for SBA grants alongside opportunities from other agencies, local governments, and nonprofit organizations.

GrantWatch

GrantWatch maintains a database of grants from the federal government, nonprofits, community organizations, and educational institutions. Access requires a paid subscription. The listings update frequently, so most results are current and open.

SCORE

SCORE is a free SBA resource partner that connects small business owners with experienced mentors, including guidance on finding and applying for grants.

Small Business Development Centers (SBDC)

SBDCs operate in every U.S. state and territory as SBA resource partners. SBDC advisors offer counseling on marketing, taxation, grant applications, financing, and more.

Books

Books remain a solid way to build a deeper understanding of SBA small business grants at your own pace. Many are organized into clear subtopics, which makes it easier to focus on the specific program or process you need to understand.

Staying Current

SBA grant programs open, close, and change eligibility rules over time, so it’s worth following the news periodically — through a source like Google News, for example, which surfaces both recent coverage and older archives, even for updates that don’t make national headlines.

Key Points and Facts About SBA Small Business Grants

SBA does not provide grants for starting or expanding a business.
Most SBA “grants” fund states, resource partners, or nonprofits — not individual small businesses directly.
SBIR, STTR, and the newer Empower To Grow grant are the main programs that fund small businesses directly.
All COVID-19 relief grant programs (EIDL, PPP, SVOG, RRF, SBA Debt Relief) are closed to new applications.
The DUNS number system was replaced by SAM.gov’s Unique Entity ID (UEI) in 2022.
SBA only communicates from email addresses ending in @sba.gov.

Action Steps for Finding and Applying to SBA Grants

Confirm your eligibility

Check your business against SBA’s current size standards table
Confirm your business is for-profit and U.S.-based

Identify the right program

Match your business activity (export, R&D, manufacturing) to the relevant program
Rule out programs that fund organizations rather than individual businesses

Register through SAM.gov and Grants.gov

Get a Unique Entity ID (UEI) through SAM.gov
Create an account on Grants.gov if applying for a federal grant directly

Gather required documentation

Prepare financial statements, EIN, and a current business plan
Collect any program-specific technical or research documentation

Get help from a resource partner

Contact a local SCORE mentor or SBDC advisor
Consider a grant writer for complex or research-based applications

Checklist for Applying to an SBA Grant

Confirm eligibility
- Review SBA’s size standards table for your industry
- Verify your business meets program-specific requirements
Get a Unique Entity ID (UEI)
- Register through SAM.gov
Choose the right program
- SBIR/STTR for research and development
- STEP for exporting (through your state)
- E2G for manufacturing training organizations
Prepare your documentation
- Business plan, financials, EIN, and program-specific materials
Submit and follow up
- Apply through the correct portal (SBIR.gov, Grants.gov, or your state agency)
- Confirm receipt and note any follow-up requirements

FAQ: SBA Small Business Grants

Does SBA give grants directly to small businesses to start a business?

No. SBA does not provide grants for starting or expanding a business. Most SBA grant funding supports states, nonprofits, and resource partners instead.

What’s the difference between an SBA grant and an SBA loan?

Grants don’t need to be repaid, but they’re limited in scope and competitive. SBA loans are more widely available but must be repaid with interest.

Do I need a DUNS number to apply for an SBA grant?

No. DUNS numbers were replaced by SAM.gov’s Unique Entity ID (UEI) in 2022. You’ll need a UEI instead.

Are the COVID-19 relief grant programs still open?

No. EIDL, PPP, SVOG, RRF, and SBA Debt Relief have all closed to new applications.

How competitive are SBA grants?

Very. Programs like SBIR are well-funded but draw many applicants, so a strong, well-documented application matters.

References: