Blog Post
Short, useful writing from the advisors who review solicitations every day.
Open Grants
A working shortlist from our grant desk covering every state plus nationwide programs. Deadlines shift — always confirm the details on the official program page before you write a word.
Federal · Federal — 11 participating agencies
Who can apply: US small businesses conducting scientific research and development.
Non-dilutive R&D funding with strong commercialization potential — Phase I awards commonly reach six figures.
Federal · Federal — 5 participating agencies
Who can apply: Small businesses partnering with nonprofit research institutions.
Funds joint R&D projects that move research from lab to market.
Federal · HUD, administered by each state
Who can apply: Units of general local government in all 50 states.
Housing, public facilities, and economic development benefiting low- and moderate-income residents.
Alabama · Alabama Department of Commerce
Who can apply: Small businesses, research institutions, and tech startups in Alabama.
Supports research, product commercialization, and job-creating innovation projects.
Alaska · Alaska DCCED
Who can apply: Alaska municipalities, boroughs, and tribal entities.
Funds public facilities, infrastructure, and economic development that benefits low-income residents.
Arizona · Arizona Commerce Authority
Who can apply: Rural communities and small businesses in Arizona.
Site readiness, workforce training, and expansion projects in rural counties.
Arkansas · Arkansas EDC
Who can apply: Nonprofits and business centers serving Arkansas small firms.
Counseling, certification help, and capital readiness support for small businesses.
California · California GO-Biz
Who can apply: Centers and nonprofits serving California small businesses.
Free consulting and training for underserved small businesses and microenterprises.
Colorado · Colorado OEDIT
Who can apply: Early-stage Colorado companies in advanced industries.
Proof-of-concept and early-stage capital grants, plus commercialization support.
Connecticut · Connecticut DECD
Who can apply: Connecticut manufacturers and supply-chain firms.
Equipment, process improvement, and incumbent worker training investments.
Delaware · Delaware Division of Small Business
Who can apply: Delaware small businesses under ten employees.
Matching grants for growth projects, from marketing to specialized equipment.
Florida · Florida Department of Economic Opportunity
Who can apply: Florida local governments, state colleges, and technical centers.
Public infrastructure and workforce training projects that support job creation.
Georgia · Georgia DCA
Who can apply: Georgia cities and counties.
Water, sewer, housing rehabilitation, and community facility improvements.
Hawaii · Hawaii HTDC
Who can apply: Hawaii small businesses with federal SBIR/STTR awards.
Matches federal Phase I and Phase II research awards for Hawaii-based firms.
Idaho · Idaho Department of Labor
Who can apply: Idaho employers creating or upgrading jobs.
Reimburses training costs for new hires and skill upgrades for existing staff.
Illinois · Illinois DCEO
Who can apply: Community-based organizations and coalitions in Illinois.
Pre-apprenticeship training that prepares people for construction and building trades careers.
Indiana · Indiana Economic Development Corporation
Who can apply: Indiana manufacturers modernizing operations.
Matching funds for automation, robotics, and smart manufacturing upgrades.
Iowa · Iowa Economic Development Authority
Who can apply: Iowa startups in biosciences, advanced manufacturing, and IT.
Stage-based funding from proof of commercial relevance through demonstration.
Kansas · Kansas Department of Commerce
Who can apply: Designated Kansas Main Street communities and downtown businesses.
Facade improvements, building rehabilitation, and downtown economic development.
Kentucky · Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development
Who can apply: Kentucky counties and regional development authorities.
Prepares industrial sites and buildings for competitive recruitment projects.
Louisiana · Louisiana Economic Development
Who can apply: Certified Louisiana small and emerging businesses.
Developmental assistance, training, and targeted reimbursement for growth costs.
Maine · Maine Technology Institute
Who can apply: Maine businesses commercializing new technology.
Research, development, and commercialization grants across Maine's targeted sectors.
Maryland · Maryland Commerce
Who can apply: Maryland innovation companies needing physical infrastructure.
Capital costs of labs, production space, and specialized equipment.
Massachusetts · Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor
Who can apply: Massachusetts small and mid-sized employers.
Reimburses employee training from approved course providers.
Michigan · Michigan LEO
Who can apply: Michigan employers training new and current workers.
Classroom, on-the-job, and apprenticeship training that leads to credentials.
Minnesota · Minnesota DEED
Who can apply: New or expanding Minnesota businesses outside the metro.
Training grants for newly hired employees at expanding companies.
Mississippi · Mississippi Development Authority
Who can apply: Mississippi small businesses and lending partners.
Helps small businesses prepare for and access capital and contract opportunities.
Missouri · Missouri Technology Corporation
Who can apply: High-growth Missouri technology startups.
Early-stage capital for product development and commercialization.
Montana · Montana Department of Commerce
Who can apply: Montana local governments and certified development corporations.
Job creation grants and planning for local economic development projects.
Nebraska · Nebraska DED
Who can apply: Nebraska employers adding or upgrading positions.
Offsets the cost of training for new and incumbent workers.
Nevada · Nevada GOED
Who can apply: Nevada employers and training providers.
Industry-driven training programs aligned to in-demand occupations.
New Hampshire · NH Department of Business and Economic Affairs
Who can apply: New Hampshire employers with a training plan.
Matching grants for structured training of current employees.
New Jersey · New Jersey EDA
Who can apply: New Jersey small businesses and nonprofits.
Reimburses building improvements and new equipment purchases.
New Mexico · New Mexico Economic Development Department
Who can apply: New Mexico companies hiring newly created positions.
Reimburses a share of wages during structured on-the-job training.
New York · Empire State Development
Who can apply: New York small businesses entering export markets.
Reimburses trade show, translation, and market-entry costs for exporters.
North Carolina · NC Department of Commerce
Who can apply: North Carolina firms with federal SBIR/STTR Phase I awards.
Matching funds and proposal assistance for federal research awards.
North Dakota · North Dakota Commerce
Who can apply: North Dakota primary sector manufacturers.
Supports automation equipment purchases that improve productivity.
Ohio · Ohio Department of Development
Who can apply: Ohio employers upskilling current employees.
Reimburses up to a set amount per credential earned by each worker.
Oklahoma · Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology
Who can apply: Oklahoma small firms with federal research awards.
Matches federal SBIR/STTR funding to accelerate commercialization.
Oregon · Business Oregon
Who can apply: Oregon small businesses and community lenders.
Growth projects, technical assistance, and capital access for small firms.
Pennsylvania · PA Commission on Crime and Delinquency
Who can apply: Pennsylvania school districts, charters, CTCs, and intermediate units.
Physical security upgrades and mental health services, including contracted providers.
Rhode Island · Rhode Island Commerce
Who can apply: Rhode Island small businesses under 500 employees.
Pays for R&D help from universities, research centers, and medical centers.
South Carolina · SC Rural Infrastructure Authority
Who can apply: South Carolina counties and municipalities.
Infrastructure that supports business location and expansion in rural areas.
South Dakota · South Dakota GOED
Who can apply: South Dakota employers and workforce partners.
Training, recruitment, and workforce housing efforts tied to job growth.
Tennessee · TNECD
Who can apply: Tennessee small businesses in distressed and at-risk counties.
Capital readiness and growth support for rural small businesses.
Texas · Texas Workforce Commission
Who can apply: Texas employers partnering with public community colleges.
Customized job training for new and incumbent workers at no cost to trainees.
Utah · Utah Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity
Who can apply: Utah companies commercializing university or in-house technology.
Grants that move research toward market-ready products.
Vermont · Vermont Agency of Commerce
Who can apply: Vermont employers in manufacturing, tech, and other target sectors.
Reimburses up to half the cost of approved training for Vermont workers.
Virginia · Virginia Economic Development Partnership
Who can apply: Virginia companies creating new jobs or retraining staff.
Consulting and cash reimbursement for recruiting and training costs.
Washington · Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges
Who can apply: Washington employers paired with a public college.
Dollar-for-dollar match for customized workforce training.
West Virginia · West Virginia Department of Economic Development
Who can apply: West Virginia development authorities and local governments.
Site preparation, due diligence, and infrastructure for development sites.
Wisconsin · Wisconsin DWD
Who can apply: Wisconsin regional partnerships of employers and training providers.
Regional plans that solve local workforce challenges.
Wyoming · Wyoming Business Council
Who can apply: Wyoming cities, towns, counties, and joint powers boards.
Publicly owned infrastructure and facilities that support business growth.
Grants
A working list of open grants with fall 2026 deadlines, plus evergreen federal programs worth tracking — and how to pick the ones worth your time.
Bidding Basics
Scope, evaluation criteria, submission instructions — the three sections that decide whether a bid is worth your time.
Contract Intelligence
Agendas, minutes, and budget workshops telegraph procurements months ahead. Here is how to read them.
Strategy
Term dates are public. Build a renewal calendar and start relationships before the recompete drops.
Positioning
One page, five blocks, zero fluff. What to include and what to cut.
Market Analysis
State, local, and education buyers move faster. Federal awards run larger. Pick a lane on purpose.
Proposals
Every loss carries a scorecard. Request it, read it, and price the next one accordingly.
Take the next step
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