For small businesses
Federal grants for small businesses, explained honestly
Federal grants for companies exist, but mostly for research and development and specific purposes named in a notice. Here is where to look and what to expect.
Independent platform. Not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency. Data from public federal sources.
Start with what federal grants are for
The SBA says it plainly: it does not provide grants for starting and expanding a business. Federal grants are awarded to carry out a public purpose defined by a program, such as research, energy efficiency or exporting, and they come with reporting and spending rules. If your goal is general working capital, a loan or private investment is usually the better fit.
Where small businesses do find federal grants
- SBIR and STTR. The main federal grant programs for for-profit small businesses, funding research and development with commercial potential. See our SBIR and STTR page.
- Purpose-specific programs. Some opportunities on Grants.gov list small businesses as eligible applicants for a defined purpose. The SBA's grants page, for example, names programs for manufacturing and exporting, some of which are awarded to state governments rather than directly to businesses.
- Rural and agricultural programs. Some USDA programs serve rural small businesses and agricultural producers. See our page for rural businesses.
Grants.gov uses a Small Businesses applicant category for companies that meet the SBA size standards. Your size standard depends on your industry, so check it before you apply.
Watch for scams
Offers of "free government grants" for anyone who pays a fee are a common scam. The FTC advises never to pay up-front fees or pay for a list of government grants. Our free Grant Scam Checker walks you through the warning signs.
Registrations to start early
Most organizations need these before they can apply through Grants.gov. Registration is a step you take with each government system directly; GovGrantsUSA cannot do it for you.
- SAM.gov entity registration and UEI. Register your organization in SAM.gov to receive a Unique Entity ID. A UEI on its own, without a full registration, is not enough to apply directly for federal awards. Grants.gov notes activation can take up to 10 business days, and registration must be renewed every year.
- Login.gov. You sign in to SAM.gov with a Login.gov account.
- Grants.gov account and roles. Your organization's E-Business Point of Contact (named in SAM.gov) creates a Grants.gov organization profile with your UEI and assigns roles such as Authorized Organization Representative, the person allowed to submit.
Use the free Federal Grant Readiness Checklist to track what you have and what is missing.
How GovGrantsUSA helps small businesses
- Matching gives applicant-type points to opportunities that list small or for-profit businesses as eligible, plus points for your NAICS codes.
- SBIR.gov solicitations are included alongside Grants.gov opportunities.
- The application workspace, AI drafting help and submission guide keep each application organized.
Browse open opportunities
Free planning tools
- Grant Scam Checker : Got a call or message about a "grant"? Check it against the FTC warning signs in under a minute.
- SBIR/STTR Eligibility Quiz : See whether your company is likely eligible for SBIR or STTR, with links to the official rules.
- Federal Grant Readiness Checklist : Track the registrations every federal applicant needs and print a list of what is still missing.
- Grant Budget & Indirect Cost Calculator : Build a draft budget, apply a negotiated or de minimis indirect rate, and export it in SF-424A categories.
Frequently Asked Questions
Other organization types
See which federal grants fit your organization
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