Which grants can a small business or startup in the US get?
Almost none for starting or growing an ordinary business: the SBA says plainly that it does not give grants to start or expand one, and anyone offering free government money for a fee is running a scam. The real federal grant money is for research and development: the SBIR and STTR programmes, known as America's Seed Fund, which were reauthorized on 13 April 2026 after a six-month lapse; the National Science Foundation's arm alone invests up to $2 million and takes no equity. Search every open federal opportunity on Grants.gov, and ask your state's economic development agency about local programmes. For most small businesses the money that exists is a loan, through an SBA-backed lender.
This is the founder-perspective answer to your exact question, delivered as an interview rather than a listicle. The clearest line lands the decision: if you already have strong traction, are comfortable with the VC route, and want to move fast, grants are not for you. It is honest about the cost too, roughly 160 hours of founder time per serious application and 2 to 8 months from submission to cash, which is precisely the burden that tips the scale toward a round.
The SBA's own statement that it does not provide grants for starting and expanding a business, and where federal grant money actually is: SBIR and STTR research grants, manufacturing grants, and grants to nonprofits and resource partners.
A law firm's summary of the April 2026 reauthorization: the programmes lapsed for six months, were restored on 13 April 2026, and gained a Phase II 'strategic breakthrough' award of up to $30 million and tougher foreign-risk screening.
The federal government's guide to how grants and loans work, including a warning about 'free money from the government' scams and where to go to start and fund a business.
The official portal for the SBIR and STTR programmes, which award non-dilutive federal funding to small businesses developing technology, with every agency's open topics in one search.
The National Science Foundation's SBIR/STTR programme for deep-tech startups: up to $2 million in seed funding and zero equity, with a project pitch as the first step.
The single federal site to search and apply for every federal grant opportunity; most opportunities are for organisations and research rather than for starting a business.
