Understand your options.
Fund and grow your business.
Explore SBA loans, free counseling, research grants and government contracting, and find official resources for your next step.
Program directory
Small business programs, at a glance.
Most federal help is loans and free advice; grants are mainly for research and specific industries.
- 01
- Support
- Loans from lenders, partly guaranteed by SBA
- Learn about
- Uses, terms and applying
- 02
- Support
- Smaller loans for startups and growth
- Learn about
- Finding a microlender
- 03
- Support
- Free one-on-one business advice
- Learn about
- Finding your local center
- 04
- Support
- Free mentoring and workshops
- Learn about
- Getting matched with a mentor
- 05
- Support
- Research and development funding
- Learn about
- Who qualifies and topics
- 06
- Support
- Selling to the federal government
- Learn about
- Registering and certifications
Loan terms, grant rules and eligibility depend on your business. Check the official guidance.
Getting started
Getting ready to seek funding.
Free counseling from SBA partners can help you prepare before you apply for a loan or contract.
- 1Write down what you needKnow how much funding you need and what it is for.
- 2Get free adviceAn SBDC or SCORE mentor can review your plan and numbers.
- 3Prepare your documentsGather tax returns, financial statements and a business plan.
- 4Talk to SBA lendersMost SBA loans are made by banks and other approved lenders.
- 5Watch for scamsReal government grants never charge a fee to apply.
Common assumptions
Small business funding myths, checked
- AssumptionThe government gives free grants to start any business.What to checkFederal grants for general startup costs are rare. Most SBA help is loans and counseling.
- AssumptionThe SBA lends money directly.What to checkMost SBA loans come from lenders, with SBA guaranteeing part of the loan.
- AssumptionBusiness counseling is expensive.What to checkSBDCs and SCORE offer free or low-cost advice.
- AssumptionOnly big companies win federal contracts.What to checkThe government sets aside some contracts for small businesses.
Common pitfalls
Where funding applications fall short
- Paying for grant accessGrants.gov is free. Never pay to apply.
- Missing paperworkKeep tax returns and financial statements current.
- Missed registrationsContracting requires registration before you can bid.
Frequently asked questions
Small business funding questions.
Federal grants for general startup costs are rare. Most federal help comes as SBA-backed loans and free counseling. Research grants such as SBIR and STTR exist for businesses doing qualifying research and development.
It is the SBA's main loan program. A bank or other approved lender makes the loan, and SBA guarantees part of it, which can make it easier to qualify. Our SBA 7(a) guide covers uses and terms.
Small Business Development Centers and SCORE offer free or low-cost counseling, mentoring and workshops. SBA's local assistance finder lists the ones near you.
They are federal programs that fund small businesses doing research and development in areas agencies need. Opportunities are posted on SBIR.gov.
Real government grants do not charge fees to apply, and searching Grants.gov is free. Be wary of anyone who asks for payment or bank details to release a grant.
Official sources
SBA.gov and federal program links
Independent guide
GrantsHubUSA explains programs and links to official resources. We do not run these programs or process applications.
Read our editorial policyEligibility wizard
Answer a few questions and see which programs are worth a closer look. Only the agency decides eligibility.