Are there grants to start or run a small business?

Rarely. Federal grants are not available to simply start or run a business. Real small business grants are tied to specific programs: SBIR and STTR research funding, USDA rural energy and value-added programs, and some state economic-development or workforce-training grants. Ads promising free money to start a business are the most common grant scam.

Do I need a UEI to apply for federal small business grants?

Yes. Every federal applicant needs an active SAM.gov registration and the 12-character Unique Entity ID it assigns. SAM.gov registration is free and can take a few weeks, so start early. Anyone charging a fee to register you in SAM.gov is selling something you can do yourself at no cost.

Can a brand-new business apply for SBIR or other grants?

It depends on the program. SBIR and STTR have no minimum age, but you must be a US for-profit with 500 or fewer employees and the research must happen in the US. USDA programs such as REAP and the Value-Added Producer Grant have their own eligibility rules on location, revenue sources and ownership. Your report shows each program's requirements.

Does the agent write the technical sections of an SBIR proposal?

No. The agent drafts the business sections, such as the company overview, commercialization plan, budget narrative and required forms checklist, to the solicitation's requirements. The technical approach and research plan stay with your team and technical lead, who know the science.

What is the difference between SBIR and STTR?

Both fund small business research and development in phases. STTR requires a formal partnership with a US research institution such as a university, which must do at least 30 percent of the work. SBIR allows, but does not require, outside partners.

Small business grants

Small business grants,without the fantasy.

SBIR/STTR research funding, USDA rural and energy programs, and state economic-development grants — the real programs your business can apply for, matched to your EIN or SAM.gov UEI, with deadlines.

How it works

SBIR / STTRUSDA REAPValue-Added ProducerState programs

Grant match report

Example

SBIR / STTR

Phase I small business research

Up to $300,000 · Due in 48 days

Strong fit

USDA Rural Development

Rural energy (REAP) grant

Up to 50% of project cost · Due in 39 days

Good fit

State program

Workforce training grant

Up to $40,000 · Due in 66 days

Check eligibility

Illustrative layout. Your report lists real, verifiable funders.

The honest version

Grants to start a business are rare.The real programs are below.

There is no federal grant to simply start or run a business. Federal grants for small business come from specific programs with specific rules: research funding, rural and energy programs, and state economic-development grants. As of Oct 26, 2026, Grants.gov listed 391 open federal grants that name small businesses as eligible. Anyone promising free money to start a business is the subject of the scam section below.

SBIR & STTR grants

Research funding for small businesses.Phase I and Phase II.

SBIR and STTR fund US small businesses developing new technology, through programs including NSF SBIR, NIH SBIR, DoD SBIR, DOE and USDA. SBIR Phase 1 (Phase I) proves feasibility; Phase II funds development. The agent matches you to open SBIR STTR solicitations and drafts the business sections, SBIR proposal help without paying an SBIR grant writer for the whole proposal. The science stays with your team.

The agent drafts

✓Company overview and team summary
✓Commercialization plan
✓Budget and budget justification
✓Solicitation requirements checklist

Your technical lead completes

✓Technical objectives and approach
✓Research and work plan
✓Prior results and feasibility
✓Final technical review

Other real programs

Federal and state grants for small business.With eligibility rules you can check.

USDA REAP energy grants

The USDA REAP grant (Rural Energy for America Program) funds renewable energy systems and energy efficiency grants for business upgrades for rural small businesses and agricultural producers.

Value-Added Producer Grant

The value added producer grant is USDA funding for agricultural producers turning raw products into higher-value goods, such as processing, packaging or marketing.

Rural business grants

USDA grants for small business from Rural Development for rural small businesses, cooperatives and the organizations that support them.

Manufacturing & export programs

Manufacturing grants and export grants for small business from federal and state programs: equipment upgrades, supply chain projects and first-time exporters.

State economic development

State grants tied to job creation, relocation, expansion and investment in specific regions or industries.

Workforce training grants

State and regional funds that reimburse employers for training new or existing employees.

How it works

From UEI to application.Without the busywork.

Match

Tell the agent who you are and enter your EIN or SAM.gov UEI. It verifies your organization and matches it against open federal, state and foundation grants you’re eligible for.

Draft

Pick a grant. The agent drafts the application to that funder’s requirements: need statement, program, outcomes and budget narrative.

Submit

You review and submit. The agent tracks every deadline and drafts the reports funders expect after an award.

Plans

Start free.Pay when you apply.

Free match report

See what you qualify for before you spend anything.

Grant Agent

$149/mo

The agent drafts every application you choose to pursue.

Agent + expert review

$1,499/mo

One funder-ready proposal a month, reviewed and finalized by a grant professional.

See plans and pricing →Grant writing services →

Grant scams

Real grants nevercost money to receive.

Every listing in your report links to the funder’s own page. If an offer shows any of these signs, walk away.

!Charges a fee before you receive the money
!Promises a guaranteed award or “free money you never pay back”
!Found you through a social media ad or cold DM
!Won’t meet, and wants full payment upfront
!Asks for your bank login or card details to “deposit” a grant
!Offers a personal grant — federal grants to individuals are rare

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Are there grants to start or run a small business?: Rarely. Federal grants are not available to simply start or run a business. Real small business grants are tied to specific programs: SBIR and STTR research funding, USDA rural energy and value-added programs, and some state economic-development or workforce-training grants. Ads promising free money to start a business are the most common grant scam.
Do I need a UEI to apply for federal small business grants?: Yes. Every federal applicant needs an active SAM.gov registration and the 12-character Unique Entity ID it assigns. SAM.gov registration is free and can take a few weeks, so start early. Anyone charging a fee to register you in SAM.gov is selling something you can do yourself at no cost.
Can a brand-new business apply for SBIR or other grants?: It depends on the program. SBIR and STTR have no minimum age, but you must be a US for-profit with 500 or fewer employees and the research must happen in the US. USDA programs such as REAP and the Value-Added Producer Grant have their own eligibility rules on location, revenue sources and ownership. Your report shows each program's requirements.
Does the agent write the technical sections of an SBIR proposal?: No. The agent drafts the business sections, such as the company overview, commercialization plan, budget narrative and required forms checklist, to the solicitation's requirements. The technical approach and research plan stay with your team and technical lead, who know the science.
What is the difference between SBIR and STTR?: Both fund small business research and development in phases. STTR requires a formal partnership with a US research institution such as a university, which must do at least 30 percent of the work. SBIR allows, but does not require, outside partners.

Get my free matches.

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Grant Agent by LynkAI is a private service that searches public sources, including Grants.gov, SAM.gov, state grant programs and IRS 990-PF foundation records. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by Grants.gov, SAM.gov, the SBA or any government agency. Grant counts are snapshots and change daily.