Small business grants for 2026: Free money for your business - Nav

Small business grants 2026: Free money for your business

Written by Gerri Detweiler

January 9, 2026 | 24 min read

Summary

Editorial disclosure: Our priority is to provide accurate, unbiased financial information for your business. Our partners cannot pay for favorable reviews. All content is accurate to the best of our knowledge when posted. You can review more details here.

We also encourage you to review our advertiser disclosure.

Small business grants can help your business get the money you need to grow your business. But there are a lot of misconceptions about grants. Here’s what you need to know about finding and getting free money to start a small business (or grow an existing one).

What is a small business grant?

A grant is financial assistance that is given to a person, business, nonprofit, or corporation from federal, state, county, or local governments, or private businesses or corporations. There are a number of companies, nonprofits, and government agencies providing essentially funding to small business owners in the form of a small business grant. And the best part? Grants don’t require repayment of any kind.

Grants can be formed to target businesses based on a variety of factors, including minority-owned businesses, specific for-profit businesses as well as nonprofit organizations, veteran-owned businesses, grants for women entrepreneurs, and more. For example, securing grants for a minority-owned business can help give your business a much-needed boost for growth and profitability.

Types of small business grants

There are several types of grants, and you may only be eligible for certain ones. Grants generally come from the following sources:

Government grants are often the most involved, while grants made by businesses may include a competition aspect.

Here we’ve rounded up examples of some popular grants in these categories. However, don’t limit your search to just these grants. We’ve also included several research tools you can use to find grants that may be a fit for your business.

Keep in mind the federal government does not give grants to start a business.

Private small business grants

There are many private corporations that want to support small businesses in the U.S. See which of these grants you qualify for.

FedEx small business grant contest

Good for: Existing businesses

Each year since 2013, FedEx has offered $25,000 grants to businesses. The application is only open for a one-month period, so ready your applications for the next open date. You’ll need to capture your business’s story via video.

National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) Growth Grants

Good for: Growing businesses

NASE Growth Grants are offered to NASE members looking to take their business to the next level. NASE grants are worth up to $4,000 and can be used for all types of activities, like purchasing new equipment, hiring help, and creating promotional material.

The StreetShares Foundation Veteran Business Grant

Good for: Veterans

The Second Service Foundations Military Entrepreneur Challenge (MEC) features a speed coaching session, private pitch session to a judging panel, and finally an opportunity to pitch business ideas to a live audience for a chance to win a small business grant. Businesses must be at least 51% owned by a veteran, Reservist, National Guardsman, or transitioning active-duty Military Member of any of the United States Armed Forces, the spouse of a Military Member, or the surviving spouse or child of a Military Member who died on active duty (i.e., a “Gold Star” family member). The applicant must be low income. Grand prizes vary by event. Note: The StreetShares Foundation is now the Second Service Foundation.

Nav’s small business grant

Good for: Existing businesses

For several years, Nav has offered a $10,000 small business grant to help business owners solve a business problem or take their business to the next level. The Nav Small Business Grant is currently paused — but we plan to reopen it in the future, so keep an eye out.

eBay Up & Running grants

Good for: eBay sellers

50 eBay Sellers will win $10,000 grant packages including cash, coaching and eBay education. The 2025 competition has ended, but keep an eye out for the 2026 grants.

Halstead jewelry grant award

Good for: Jewelry startups

Are you a jewelry artist? If so, submit your portfolio and business plan to Halstead for its annual jewelry grant award of $7,500. In addition to funds, Halstead aims to help jewelry artists develop their business, fine-tune their plans, and hit their goals.

Federal small business grants

The Federal government, too, offers grants to support small businesses.

Small Business Innovation Research program

Good for: Technology companies

The federal research SBIR grant program is for entrepreneurs focused on innovations in technology that have the potential for commercialization. You can check its funding opportunities here.

Small Business Technology Transfer Program

Good for: Energy-focused businesses

The STTR program aims to expand funding for innovative research and development leveraging existing technology. What makes this program unique is that small businesses get the opportunity to formally collaborate with research institutions throughout the program.

Department of Defense grants

Good for: Research and development companies

The DoD offers grants to small businesses through the STTR program and a number of other initiatives, like the Defense Enterprise Science Initiative.

Department of Energy grants

Good for: Innovative technology companies

The DOE offers grants through the SBIR and STTR programs for innovative research and development leveraging technology developed by a university or a DOE National Lab. Check here for its current grant openings.

National Institute of Health (NIH) grants

Good for: Biomedical businesses

NIH is a federal agency within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). It offers business grants to small businesses developing and researching biomedical technology.

Department of Justice grants

Good for: Public safety projects

The DOJ allocates grant funding to projects that support law enforcement, public safety activities, programs to improve the criminal justice system, and more. Here’s an overview of the agencies within the DOJ that provide grants.

Department of the Interior grants

Good for: A variety of businesses

The DOI offers small business grants through several departments, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, Indian Affairs, National Park Service, and Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act.

USDA Rural Development business grants

Good for: Small rural businesses

The Department of Agriculture offers both loans and grants to support businesses in rural areas to create quality jobs.

National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) grants

Good for: Agriculture and food nonprofits

The NIFA is a federal agency within the USDA with a focus on leadership and funding programs. It offers grants throughout the year, which come with support and guidance.

Small business grants for women

While grants offered by private companies and grants for startups are available to a broader range of business owners, there are also grants for women-owned businesses (grants for women-owned businesses).

The Amber Grant program

Good for: Planning-stage businesses

The Amber Grant is a $10,000 cash grant awarded to qualifying female entrepreneurs each month. At the end of the year, monthly grant recipients will have the opportunity to win an additional $25,000 grant.

Boston Women’s Fund

Good for: New businesses

The Boston Women’s Fund provides seed money, program support, and operational funding for women-led grassroots community efforts. Find its grants for women here.

How to find a grant for a small business

A quick Google search will pull up millions of results for business grants. So many possibilities are out there that it can seem impossible to narrow down the prospects. But there are a few resources that can help you find the right grants for your business, assist in the application process, and help you identify grant opportunities that can’t be missed.

OpenGrants

OpenGrants offers a comprehensive data set of public and private grant funding in the U.S. The site offers both free and paid membership options.

Grants.gov

Grants.gov is the federal government agency’s landing page for all federal government grants across agencies. It’s a great resource for finding grant opportunities, though many grants are closed to small businesses.

GrantWatch

GrantWatch is another database of grants of every kind, though it’s subscription-based.

Your local librarian

Local libraries can provide free help finding grants. Just ask your librarian.

Demystifying common grant myths

There are a lot of misunderstandings that can come with grants for small businesses. Here’s the most common ones:

Myth #1: There are no restrictions

Grants are typically given out for a specific use that you need to prove you’re making progress on.

Myth #2: Grant applications are simple to put together

It may take weeks or months to finish a grant application.

Myth #3: Grants are easy to get

Many grant programs are extremely competitive.

Myth #4: The business with the largest need is most likely to get a grant

Grants are usually awarded to businesses that will fulfill the grant agency’s goals, not the ones that need it the most.

How to apply for a small business grant

Work smart and hard. Create a “resume” for your business that outlines your answers to the common questions business grant-givers ask of their applicants.

Here are a few common details you may need to provide when applying for a business grant:

  1. Time in business
  2. Number of employees
  3. Monthly or annual revenue
  4. How the funds will be used
  5. Your business’s “elevator pitch”
  6. Your Employer Identification Number (EIN)
  7. Social media handles
  8. A professional photo
  9. A business plan.

Grant application pitfalls to avoid

There are several common mistakes to help you avoid them:

Business grant vs. business loan: What’s the difference?

The main difference between a grant and a loan is whether or not they require repayment. Grants can be harder to obtain due to competition.

Are there any downsides to business grants?

Business grant funds are taxable income for IRS purposes, and applications take time. They may also require campaigning and may not be suited for all business types.

Alternatives to small business grants

If you don’t have the patience to apply for a small business grant, look for small business loans or other financing options.