Grants for Small Businesses

Federally funded program to enhance competitiveness of specialty crops such as fruits, vegetables, grapes, horticultural, etc. The purpose of the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) is to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. Specialty crops are defined as “fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops (including floriculture).” Projects must show a benefit to the specialty crop industry. This program is not designed for start-ups or projects that only benefit one operation. Universities, institutions, cooperatives, producers, industry, or community-based organizations may submit a proposal for funding. A review committee will select projects to be included in Tennessee’s state plan. This is a competitive program. Projects must directly impact multiple Tennessee producers. The Tennessee Department of Agriculture seeks to identify and support projects that are forward thinking with a positive, long-lasting impact on Tennessee Agriculture.

City of Tehachapi Small Business Sign Grant Program (California) is offering grants ranging from $500 to $3,000 to assist small businesses in the City with installing or improving their signs. The program aims to eliminate blight, encourage economic development, and enhance properties within the City’s commercial districts. Priority funding will be given to projects that align with the City Design Guidelines. The grant includes reimbursement of up to 50% of eligible sign costs, with a minimum of $500 and a maximum of $3,000. Recipients are required to maintain the building sign for a three-year term. Eligible applicants include owners and tenants of small businesses or commercial properties within the City of Tehachapi.

This funding opportunity supports early stage researchers in pursuing innovative and high-risk scientific projects that significantly diverge from their previous work, without the need for preliminary data.

This program provides funding to Silver Bay residents and business owners for exterior property improvements to enhance neighborhood aesthetics and pride of ownership.

This funding initiative provides financial support to Tennessee-based agricultural, food, and forestry businesses, as well as nonprofits and local governments, to enhance market access, increase production capacity, and promote innovation in the agricultural sector.

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders (NIDDK) intends to promote a new initiative by publishing a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to solicit applications for the TrialNet Clinical Network Hub (HUB). The purpose of this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is to continue support for the Type 1 Diabetes TrialNet Clinical Network Hub (HUB), a screening and clinical activities coordination unit for clinical trials focusing on the prevention of and early intervention in type 1 diabetes (T1D). The main objective of the HUB is to increase the efficiency and productivity of the TrialNet network by providing coordination of communications and outreach and developing new tools and approaches to increase screening, recruitment and retention. This NOFO requires a Plan for Enhancing Diverse Perspectives (PEDP), which will be assessed as part of the scientific and technical peer review evaluation. Applications that fail to include a PEDP will be considered incomplete and will be withdrawn. Applicants are strongly encouraged to read the NOFO instructions carefully and view the available PEDP guidance material. This Notice is being provided to allow potential applicants sufficient time to develop meaningful collaborations and responsive projects. The NOFO is expected to be published in Spring 2024 with an expected application due date in Summer 2024. This NOFO will utilize the U01 activity code. Details of the planned NOFO are provided below.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) intends to issue the U54 Specialized Programs of Research Excellence in Cancer Health Disparities and Minority Health (CHD-MH SPORE) notice of funding opportunity (NOFO). The program will support a network of multidisciplinary, multi-institutional U54 CHD-MH SPOREs, which are multi-project awards uniquely focused on health disparities and/or minority health translational research for improved prevention, early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer in populations who are underserved. U54 CHD-MH SPOREs can investigate more than one cancer type in underserved populations, including groups of highly related cancers (e.g., gastrointestinal or head and neck). The research supported through this program must be translational and must stem from research on human biology, addressing the interplay of various determinants of health with the biology of the disease. U54 CHD-MH SPORE projects must have the goal of reaching a translational human endpoint within the project period of the grant, which may include a clinical trial. This Notice of Intent to Publish is being provided to allow sufficient time for applicants to develop strong applications. The NOFO is expected to be published in late winter 2024 with only one expected application due date in late September 2024.

The National Institute on Aging (NIA), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), intends to publish a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to solicit applications that propose to establish a national Open Measurement Coordinating Network for Non-Pharmacological Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and AD-related Dementias (ADRD) Primary Prevention Trials. The Network will serve as a centralized hub for developing, validating, standardizing, and disseminating measures and measurement methods for AD/ADRD primary prevention trials. It will incorporate measures and measurement methods across neuropsychological, biomarker, and functional domains to meet the goal of primary prevention of AD/ADRD centered around brain health equity. Brain health equity is the fair distribution of brain health determinants, outcomes, and resources within and between segments of the population, regardless of social standing. Measures and methods of interest will test outcomes and mechanisms of action in settings customized for individuals with different needs and linked to real-world function. Applications must explain how the platform will meet evolving community needs and partner with other NIA-funded programs. Applications must also describe activities that will achieve the following objectives: Develop an organizational and governance structure to support the administration, innovation, and dissemination functions of the Network. Propose activities to establish a framework that will facilitate the development of innovative strategies for standardization and use of methods and measures across NIA-supported projects and support activities for the discovery and development of innovative and novel measures and data. Disseminate Network resources and products to the broader AD/ADRD research community. Ensure that all measures and methods development and validation occurs in a racially, ethnically, geographically, and diagnostically diverse set of participants, including members of NIH-defined Health Disparity Populations. This also includes establishing the acceptability and feasibility of using the proposed instruments in both cognitively normal individuals and persons living with cognitive impairment (PLWCI), including subjective cognitive decline. NIA is particularly interested in proposals that advance equity for populations disproportionately impacted by AD/ADRD. For example, Black and Hispanic Americans have a higher prevalence of AD/ADRD compared to non-Hispanic White Americans. Resources, including measurement instruments, methods, algorithms, code, documentation, and normative data will enable other, future measures and methods development projects that support AD/ADRD primary prevention research needs. This Notice is being provided to allow potential applicants sufficient time to develop meaningful collaborations and responsive projects. The NOFO is expected to be published in early 2024 with an expected application due date in Spring/Summer 2024. This NOFO will utilize the U24 activity code.

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders (NIDDK) intends to promote a new initiative by publishing a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to solicit applications for the TrialNet Coordinating Center (TNCC). The TrialNet network identifies people with type 1 diabetes (T1D) at stages before and after onset of clinical symptoms and enrolls them in trials and studies aimed at prevention of progression to clinical disease and preservation of insulin production. The TNCC participates in ongoing studies and intervention trials as well as the design and conduct of new studies and intervention trials. The TNCC will: (1) support a wide range of research projects in varying stages of development, implementation and completion, and (2) provide data and sample management, including standardized acquisition, quality control, dissemination and public accessibility. The TNCC will be responsible for network administration and operations, including the evaluation, selection, and funding (through subcontracts) of Clinical Centers and central support units (such as laboratories) necessary for the conduct of TrialNets clinical studies. The TNCC PD/PI will be a voting member of the TrialNet Executive and Steering Committees, contributing to network leadership. This NOFO requires a Plan for Enhancing Diverse Perspectives (PEDP), which will be assessed as part of the scientific and technical peer review evaluation. Applications that fail to include a PEDP will be considered incomplete and will be withdrawn. Applicants are strongly encouraged to read the NOFO instructions carefully and view the available PEDP guidance material. This Notice is being provided to allow potential applicants sufficient time to develop meaningful collaborations and responsive projects. The NOFO is expected to be published in Spring 2024 with an expected application due date in Summer 2024. This NOFO will utilize the U01 activity code. Details of the planned NOFO are provided below.

This grant provides funding for early stage investigators to pursue innovative and high-risk research projects involving human participants, without the need for preliminary data.

This funding opportunity supports researchers conducting fully remote clinical trials to evaluate the effectiveness of complementary and integrative health interventions, utilizing mobile health technologies without any in-person contact.

This funding opportunity supports existing Centers for AIDS Research in expanding training and research initiatives focused on HIV and health disparities, particularly for underrepresented groups and early-career investigators.

This program provides financial assistance to downtown Chehalis business and property owners for exterior improvements that enhance the historical character and visual appeal of their buildings.

This program provides rent support to new, innovative retail businesses in Downtown Grand Rapids, particularly those that are women- or minority-owned, to enhance the area's retail diversity and economic vitality.

This funding opportunity supports Wisconsin businesses in certain industries by covering up to 75% of the costs for hiring an independent expert to develop a comprehensive business or commercialization plan, particularly for those seeking a Phase II SBIR/STTR grant.

The EMG program provides early-stage technology-based companies with services and funding to support their efforts in obtaining significant federal grant funding. Additionally, Business Planning services rendered by the Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) increase the entrepreneurial proficiency of state entrepreneurs and small business owners. WEDC provides funding to the Center for Technology Commercialization (CTC) to deliver microgrants to clients for the services below: • Small Business lnnovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) Assistance program, providing up to $4,500 for assistance to prepare and submit an SBIR/STTR or other federal funding proposal. Applicants awarded federal funding may receive an additional $1,000 funding bonus through the program. • Commercialization Planning Assistance, providing individual and small business applicants up to $4,500 for assistance in completing business validation activities and a comprehensive market study or business plan or commercialization plan to procure Phase ll SBIR/STTR funding or to prepare for angel or venture capital funding. Applicants must utilize an eligible professional services provider. • Entrepreneurial Training Program, providing a grant of up to $750 to entrepreneurs upon successful completion of start-up coursework provided by the SBDC in the University of Wisconsin-System. Eligible applicants must provide at least a $250 match. Eligible coursework may focus on either business modeling or business planning.

The program offers assistance to targeted economic driver industries culminating over time in the development, diversification, competitiveness and growth in sectors that provide sustained high quality jobs, continued innovation and increase in GDP in Wisconsin. Applicants must be actively engaged in distinct industry or sector development or engaged in efforts to enhance cross-industry competitiveness, such as workforce development, market development, new investments, business attraction and acquisition of specialized competitive assets or facilities. These investments are generally intended to support strategic industry initiatives and investments, develop shared-use infrastructure, help fund industry-related pilot projects, expand successful initiatives, increase geographic reach or allow for expansion of consortia efforts.

Equitable Energy Future Grant Program (Notice of Funding Opportunity 3054-2638): The Equitable Energy Future Grant Program, administered by the Commerce And Econ Opp agency, aims to provide seed funding and pre-development funding opportunities to eligible contractors for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in historically disadvantaged communities. The program is designed to remove barriers caused by lack of capital and promote project, community, and business development. The anticipated number of awards is 40, with an estimated total program funding of $25,500,000. The award range is between $250,000 and $1,000,000. The source of funding is the state government of Illinois. There are no cost-sharing or matching requirements, but indirect costs are not allowed. The application period is from November 16, 2023, to June 30, 2024 at 5:00 PM. Technical assistance sessions are offered on November 30, 2023 at 12:00 PM and registration can be done through a provided link. Applicants must be pre-qualified entities registered in the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA) Grantee Portal. For more information on eligibility criteria and application requirements, please visit the grant application link provided in the description above.

U.S. Embassy Lilongwes Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) is pleased to announce that we are accepting proposals for our Small Grants Program. This announcement is an Annual Program Statement outlining our funding priorities, the strategic themes on which we focus, and the procedures for submitting funding requests. Please read this document carefully and follow all instructions. This notice is subject to the availability of funding. Purpose of Small Grants: PDS invites proposals for projects that strengthen ties between the United States and Malawi through programming that highlights shared values and promotes bilateral cooperation. All programs must include an American cultural element or connection with American expert/s, organization/s, or institution/s in a specific field that will promote increased understanding of U.S. policies and perspectives in Malawi. Examples of programs implemented through the PDS Small Grants Program include, but are not limited to: • U.S. experts conducting lectures, seminars, or speaking tours with Malawian audiences • Artistic and cultural workshops, joint performances, and exhibitions • Professional and academic exchanges and programs • Cultural heritage conservation and preservation programs • Programs developed by an alumnus/a of a U.S. sponsored or supported educational or professional exchange program • Initiatives aimed at maintaining contact with alumni of U.S. exchange programs • Projects to promote English language teaching skills or widen access to books and other sources of information about the United States Priority Program Areas: • Promote good governance and rule of law • Facilitate and encourage growth of entrepreneurship • Promote gender equality to increase participation in education and improved health decision-making by adolescent girls and young women • Increase transparency of government activities through a more capable media • Support and improve conditions for vulnerable and marginalized citizens, such as the disabled, people living with albinism, and those subject to stigma or persecution • Prevent gender-based violence and trafficking in persons • Promote stronger, more numerous university partnerships between U.S. and Malawian universities PDS will ONLY consider proposals that contain a significant American component or aspect. This could include, but is not limited to, an American expert as a speaker, using curriculum developed by a U.S. institution, or screening an American film.

The Angler Recruitment, Retention, and Reactivation (Angler R3) grant program provides financial assistance to partners who conduct Angler R3 programs and activities in Wisconsin. Funding is provided through the Dingell Johnson Sportfish Restoration Act, a federal aid program. The goals of the Angler R3 grant program are to grow the numbers of anglers in Wisconsin and expand angling participation among adults, particularly from non-traditional audiences. To achieve these goals, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will award cost-sharing funds to community-based organizations, community centers, government agencies, Wisconsin tribes, colleges, universities and schools to ensure the education and development of safe and ethical adult anglers. Grant awards may be up to 75% share of total eligible project costs.