Capital

US small business funding: grants, loans and eligibility

The long-running US programmes founders ask me about: SBA loans, SBIR research grants, export support, tax credits and grants for women founders, in US dollars.

By Kapil Gaud Updated Oct 17, 2026 11 min read

US small-business funding starts with a practical distinction: a loan for business operations, research funding for a defined technical project or a competition with its own prize terms. Choose the job the money must do before building an application list.

This page covers the long-running federal routes and a few respected private grants. Amounts are in US dollars.

Illustrative founder decision

A research project and a trading business need different funding

Consider two founders: one is testing a new sensing technology; the other is launching a profitable local service business. The first can investigate a relevant research solicitation. The second should build a business-financing plan around operations, cash generation and the lender’s requirements. Calling both a startup does not make their funding options the same.

A funding brief you can use

For a research route, write the technical uncertainty, proposed experiment, expected evidence and commercial use. For a business loan, write how the money will be used, when customers pay and how repayments will be covered. Start with the version that describes your business.

The next conversation

Use the exact agency solicitation or lender programme page. Record the applicant entity, ownership and location rules before counting a route as eligible. An application portal or an active programme name is only the starting point; a specific opportunity needs its own deadline and requirements.

Find your starting point

Scroll across to compare every column.

Your situation	Look at first
Small business needing a loan	SBA 7(a), SBA 504 or SBA Microloan through a lender
Research-led startup	NSF or NIH SBIR/STTR
Exporting from the US	EXIM working capital guarantee and export credit insurance
Early-stage business that pays R&D salaries	R&D payroll tax credit
Very small or underserved business	Kiva 0% crowdfunded loan; Amber Grant; HerRise MicroGrant

Federal research grants

NSF SBIR/STTR — NSF 26-510

Type: R&D grant
Support: Phase I up to US$305,000; Phase II up to US$1.25 million. Fast-Track/supplements have separate rules.
Who it fits: High-risk scientific/engineering R&D with commercial potential.
Key requirements: Eligible US small business, affiliates included; ownership/control and US-work rules. Phase I/Fast-Track need Project Pitch invitation; STTR needs a research partner. Current solicitation’s PI employment/effort rules apply.
How to apply: Project Pitch first; invited full proposal through Research.gov.
Availability: Open now; recurs regularly
Timing: Next full-proposal deadline 2026-11-04 at 17:00 submitting organisation’s local time; invitation required.
Cost or condition to plan for: Not generic website/app development capital. Use 26-510 over older summaries, including its current pitch limits. A nearby deadline does not bypass the invitation stage.
Official sources: nsf.gov · seedfund.nsf.gov · sbir.gov
Last checked: 16 October 2026

NIH / CDC / FDA Parent SBIR — PA-27-100

Type: R&D grant, R&D contract
Support: Component-specific Phase I / II budgets; the NOFO table includes US$400,000 or US$700,000 Phase I tiers and up to US$3 million Phase II for some NIH components. No universal award cap.
Who it fits: Biomedical/health R&D aligned with a participating institute’s mission.
Key requirements: US for-profit SBC, at most 500 employees including affiliates, qualifying US ownership/control or permitted multiple-VC exception. PI primarily employed by SBC at award/during project; normally SBC performs at least 67% Phase I or 50% Phase II research. US-work, component scope and clinical-trial rules apply; SAM/UEI, SBA, eRA Commons and Grants.gov registrations.
How to apply: Revised full PA-27-100 announcement → ASSIST / Grants.gov Workspace; select participating component and research fit.
Availability: Open now; recurs regularly
Timing: Next standard due date 5 January 2027, 17:00 applicant organisation local time; then 5 April 2027. NOFO expires 6 April 2027.
Cost or condition to plan for: No cost share required. Phase II normally follows qualifying Phase I; Fast-Track has its own route. Current revised notice controls over older FAQs and expired NOFOs.
Official sources: simpler.grants.gov · files.simpler.grants.gov
Last checked: 16 October 2026

Loans and guarantees

SBA 7(a)

Type: Loan
Support: Individual 7(a) loan maximum US$5 million.
Who it fits: Eligible US operating small business with a credible repayment case.
Key requirements: For-profit US location, SBA size/eligible-business rules, creditworthiness and repayment ability. March 2026 notice requires 100% direct/indirect owners and required guarantors to be US citizens/nationals with US principal residence.
How to apply: Participating lender; verify current SBA ownership notice and loan terms.
Availability: Ongoing, through banks or lenders
Timing: Lender appraisal; current rules apply at the relevant approval/application stage.
Cost or condition to plan for: Not a grant. A US entity owned by an Indian resident does not qualify just by incorporation. July 2026 combined 7(a)/504 rules do not make the individual 7(a) cap US$10 million. SOP 50 10 8.1, effective 1 October 2026, retains the 100% ownership rule; ask the lender to confirm how it applies to the complete ownership chain.
Official sources: sba.gov · legacy.sba.gov · legacy.sba.gov
Last checked: 16 October 2026

SBA 504

Type: Loan
Support: Published maximum SBA 504 loan amount US$5.5 million; project structure/limits depend on eligibility.
Who it fits: Eligible US small-business fixed-asset projects, including facilities/equipment.
Key requirements: For-profit US business, applicable size/job/public-policy/repayment rules and the 2026 ownership/US-principal-residence requirements. Borrower contribution and CDC/lender review apply.
How to apply: Certified Development Company plus participating lender.
Availability: Ongoing, through banks or lenders
Timing: CDC/lender project appraisal.
Cost or condition to plan for: Not general working-capital grant money. The SBA page has differing headline/body ceilings; the financing structure and current policy control the actual transaction. SOP 50 10 8.1, effective 1 October 2026, retains the 100% ownership rule; ask the lender to confirm how it applies to the complete ownership chain.
Official sources: sba.gov · legacy.sba.gov · legacy.sba.gov
Last checked: 16 October 2026

SBA Microloan

Type: Loan
Support: Up to US$50,000 through an authorised intermediary.
Who it fits: Eligible small ventures with a modest working-capital/equipment need.
Key requirements: Intermediary underwriting, possible collateral/guarantees. Updated notice effective 1 April 2026 requires 100% US-citizen/national ownership and US principal residence; direct/indirect entity-owner restrictions also apply.
How to apply: Local SBA-approved Microloan intermediary.
Availability: Ongoing, through banks or lenders
Timing: Intermediary intake.
Cost or condition to plan for: Not a grant; do not assume loans can buy real estate or refinance existing debt. Current official use restrictions and lender conditions apply.
Official sources: sba.gov · legacy.sba.gov
Last checked: 16 October 2026

Accion Opportunity Fund Small Business Term Loan

Type: Loan
Support: Up to US$250,000; repayment up to 36 months.
Who it fits: Established small businesses financing profitable growth, inventory or equipment.
Key requirements: Applicant at least 18 and at least 20% owner; business at least two years old with US$300,000+ annual sales. All shareholders US citizens or permanent residents. Final underwriting and service-area conditions apply.
How to apply: Current AOF online application; business bank connection, business tax returns/void cheque as requested, personal tax returns before disbursement for CDFI reporting.
Availability: Ongoing, through banks or lenders
Timing: Ongoing public online application; no fixed closing date published.
Cost or condition to plan for: Individually priced interest; no prepayment penalty. Current product criteria override older AOF articles advertising lower revenue/trading thresholds.
Official sources: aofund.org
Last checked: 16 October 2026

Kiva US Crowdfunded Business Loan

Type: Loan
Support: US$1,000–15,000; 0% interest, no fee or collateral.
Who it fits: Small US businesses able to demonstrate community support.
Key requirements: Age 18+, reside and operate in US; Nevada/North Dakota primary operations or registration excluded. No current bankruptcy, foreclosure or liens; published criminal-history and prohibited-industry rules apply. PayPal account and private fundraising from personal network required. No minimum credit score.
How to apply: Kiva US borrower application → review → private then public fundraising.
Availability: Apply any time (assessed case by case)
Timing: Ongoing borrower applications; fundraising and approval deadlines are set in the individual process.
Cost or condition to plan for: Loan is repayable, with first payment one month after funds received; fundraising is not guaranteed. Nonprofits must show revenue/donations in prior 12 months. No debt refinancing or stock/equity purchases.
Official sources: kiva.org
Last checked: 16 October 2026

EXIM Working Capital Loan Guarantee

Type: Loan, Government guarantee
Support: 90% lender guarantee; official product page sets no minimum or maximum transaction amount.
Who it fits: US exporters needing working capital to fulfil export orders.
Key requirements: US export transaction with at least 10% US content under current product guidance; participating lender credit, collateral, eligible-country and EXIM requirements. Eligible uses include materials, labour, export inventory and bid/performance bonds.
How to apply: Use EXIM working-capital lender locator; lender arranges revolving or transaction-specific facility.
Availability: Ongoing, through banks or lenders
Timing: Ongoing participating-lender route; no fixed competitive closing date published.
Cost or condition to plan for: Borrower owes the full debt. Interest, fees, security and final eligible borrowing base are lender/EXIM decisions.
Official sources: exim.gov
Last checked: 16 October 2026

Export, tax and private grants

EXIM Multi-Buyer Express Insurance

Type: Export credit insurance
Support: Usually 95% commercial/political loss cover; sovereign buyers 100%, bulk agricultural commodities 98%. Not a cash award.
Who it fits: Newer US small-business exporters selling on credit.
Key requirements: SBA small-business size; three-year average export credit sales at most US$10 million excluding Canada/secure payment terms; at most ten buyers and at most five years exporting on credit. EXIM approves buyers; US-content/country and policy terms apply.
How to apply: Official EXIM policy application/forms or authorised insurance broker; select Express policy.
Availability: Apply any time (assessed case by case)
Timing: Ongoing policy application; no fixed competitive closing date.
Cost or condition to plan for: Premiums payable on insured shipments. No application fee/minimum annual premium; refundable US$500 advance deposit to issue policy. Can support lender receivables finance; it does not fund marketing expenses directly.
Official sources: exim.gov · exim.gov
Last checked: 16 October 2026

Qualified Small Business R&D Payroll Tax Credit

Type: Tax incentive
Support: Elect up to US$500,000 of qualifying research credit annually against specified employer payroll taxes; not an upfront grant.
Who it fits: Young businesses conducting documented qualifying US research with payroll liabilities.
Key requirements: Gross receipts below US$5 million for election year and no gross receipts before the five-tax-year period ending that year. Related-business/controlled-group and qualifying-research expense tests apply; tax-exempt entities excluded. Election generally limited to five tax years.
How to apply: Elect using Form 6765 on timely original income-tax return including extensions; claim via Form 8974 with employment-tax return.
Availability: Ongoing (tax or benefit rule)
Timing: Entity-specific timely original income-tax-return deadline. Claim begins first calendar quarter after filing election; election cannot be first made on an amended return.
Cost or condition to plan for: Available credit depends on actual qualified research and tax calculation, not simply total development spending. Unused qualifying credit carries forward under rules.
Official sources: irs.gov · irs.gov
Last checked: 16 October 2026

WomensNet Amber Grants

Type: Private grant
Support: Current official rules: three monthly awards of US$15,000; three additional US$75,000 year-end awards for eligible monthly winners.
Who it fits: Qualifying women-owned US/Canada businesses, including eligible idea-stage ventures.
Key requirements: Woman age 18+ owning at least 50% of a US/Canada-based business; category-specific rules. Current rules list a non-refundable US$15 application fee and a fee-waiver request option.
How to apply: Official WomensNet application linked from Grant Rules.
Availability: Open now; recurs regularly
Timing: Current monthly window ends 2026-10-31 at 23:59 ET under the rules.
Cost or condition to plan for: Older All Grants/FAQ passages still show US$10,000/US$50,000. Current Grant Rules and dated landing-page cutoff support US$15,000/US$75,000; confirm rules at submission.
Official sources: ambergrantsforwomen.com · ambergrantsforwomen.com · ambergrantsforwomen.com
Last checked: 16 October 2026

HerRise MicroGrant

Type: Grant
Support: US$1,000 monthly award to one selected business. Nonrefundable US$15 application administration fee; no award guaranteed.
Who it fits: Under-resourced women-owned US small businesses with a specific community-impacting need.
Key requirements: At least 51% women-owned, registered in the US, gross revenue below US$1 million. Current application excludes nonprofits, franchises, direct sellers, authorised resellers and independent consultants. Provide business pitch/use of funds, contact details, website/social link, headshot/logo and mailing address in the public form.
How to apply: Official HerRise programme page → Small Business application. Review the full eligibility and US$15 fee before entering information; no paid HerSuiteSpot membership or mixer attendance required.
Availability: Open now; recurs regularly
Timing: Monthly cycle: 11:59 pm Eastern Time on the last day of each month; current October round closes 31 October 2026. Later entries go to the following month under the published FAQ.
Cost or condition to plan for: Current landing/application wording covers women entrepreneurs including women of colour; an older standalone FAQ still says women of colour only. Use the current application screen and clarify any mismatch before paying. Only selected recipients are notified under the current application text. This is a private microgrant, not a federal R&D substitute.
Official sources: hersuitespot.com · hersuitespot.com · hersuitespot.com
Last checked: 16 October 2026

How to narrow your shortlist in the US

Map the complete ownership chain before spending weeks on an application. A US company owned by a non-US founder does not automatically satisfy SBA or federal R&D rules. Then separate research grants, repayable lending, export insurance and tax relief. A revenue-generating consultancy may be comparing loans; a technical startup must show eligible R&D, not just that it is building an app.

Questions before applying

Does a US LLC automatically qualify an Indian founder for SBA funding?

No. The listed SBA products have ownership, residence, eligible-business and underwriting conditions. US incorporation alone is not enough. Ask the participating lender to check the current rule against the complete direct and indirect ownership structure.

Which route should I shortlist first?

For a trading business, compare a suitable lending route and its repayment conditions. For a research company, identify a current agency solicitation matching the technical work. Screen US entity, operating, ownership and programme-specific requirements before applying.

Before you apply or spend

Save the current official page and check for amendments.
Confirm the exact eligibility condition that applies to you, in writing if possible.
Work out your own share: the unfunded part, ineligible costs and cash needed before money arrives.
For loans, ask for the full repayment schedule. For equity, model dilution.
Get qualified advice before signing anything with legal or tax consequences.

Not sure which route fits?

Tell me where the business operates, what you need to fund and the route you are considering. Include the condition or trade-off you want to work through.

Ask about funding routes

Prefer a conversation on social? Message me on LinkedIn.

Sources and review: programme links lead to the provider or official authority. Eligibility and application timing are shown with each route; use the dated information for your shortlist and the linked current terms before applying.