Program For Investment In Microentrepreneurs (PRIME) Fy 2026

The Program for Investment in Microentrepreneurs (PRIME) is administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) through its Office of Financial Assistance. Established under the PRIME Act of 1999, the program is designed to support the development and expansion of microenterprise services for disadvantaged entrepreneurs. SBA, founded in 1953, has long played a role in supporting small business growth not only through lending but also by funding organizations that provide training and technical assistance. This funding opportunity continues that mission by investing in organizations that directly serve or strengthen the ecosystem supporting microentrepreneurs, particularly those with limited access to capital. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to provide financial assistance to eligible nonprofit organizations, intermediary entities, and certain government-affiliated microenterprise development programs. The program is structured into two funding tracks. Track I focuses on delivering training and technical assistance directly to disadvantaged entrepreneurs, including low-income and very low-income individuals. Track II supports capacity building for microenterprise development organizations, enabling them to expand services and improve effectiveness. Applicants may apply to only one track and must clearly define their intended activities within that scope. Funding under this program is intended to support activities such as business training, counseling, technical assistance, and organizational capacity development. For Track II recipients, a significant portion of funds may be used to issue subgrants to nonprofit organizations, although administrative expenses are capped. All funds must be used strictly for the purposes outlined in the award and must comply with federal cost principles, ensuring that expenditures are reasonable, allocable, and allowable. The program encourages leveraging additional resources and collaboration with SBA partners, local governments, educational institutions, and private organizations to maximize impact. A key requirement of the PRIME program is a matching contribution equal to 50 percent of the federal award. This match may include cash or in-kind contributions, although in-kind contributions are limited to half of the total match. Applicants facing significant financial constraints may request a waiver or reduction of the matching requirement, but such requests must be justified and are subject to SBA approval. This cost-sharing structure is intended to ensure commitment and sustainability while allowing flexibility for organizations with limited resources. Eligibility is limited to nonprofit microenterprise development organizations, intermediaries with experience in technical assistance, and certain government-affiliated or tribal entities. For-profit entities and individuals are explicitly excluded. Applicants must demonstrate a track record of serving disadvantaged entrepreneurs or supporting microenterprise development. Religious organizations may apply but must adhere to strict limitations regarding the use of federal funds for non-religious activities. Additionally, funded programs may only serve U.S. citizens or nationals, and organizations must comply with all federal eligibility and compliance requirements. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov and include several required components such as a cover sheet, technical proposal, budget forms, certifications, and supporting documentation. The technical proposal is a critical component and must detail the applicant’s experience, project design, target populations, partnerships, and evaluation methods. Applications are evaluated based on organizational capacity, project design, management approach, collaboration efforts, and ability to reach disadvantaged populations. Bonus consideration may be given to projects targeting rural areas. The application window for this funding opportunity opens on July 13, 2026, and closes on August 12, 2026, at 4:59 PM Eastern Time. Awards are expected to be announced before the end of the fiscal year on September 30, 2026, with project performance anticipated to begin on October 1, 2026, and continue for a 12-month period. The program is recurring annually, and applicants are encouraged to prepare early due to registration requirements and submission validation processes. For questions, applicants may contact the SBA Office of Financial Assistance via email at PRIME@sba.gov or by phone through the information line provided in the announcement.

Strong emphasis on demonstrating organizational capacity clear project design and ability to serve disadvantaged populations especially in rural areas