Federal Business and Commerce Grants

The American-Made Electronics Scrap Recycling Advancement Prize (E-SCRAP) is a $3.95 million challenge sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office (AMMTO). This three-phase prize aims to stimulate innovative approaches that reduce the costs and environmental impact of critical material recovery from electronic scrap (e-scrap). The program aligns with the DOE's mission to advance energy technology and reduce environmental impact, specifically targeting the challenges within the e-scrap recycling value chain. The target beneficiaries of the E-SCRAP prize are individuals, private entities (for-profits and nonprofits), nonfederal government entities (states, counties, tribes, and municipalities), and academic institutions working in waste collection and management, dismantling and sorting, separation, refining, validation, and material supply. The impact goals are to increase the domestic supply of critical materials from e-scrap, enhance material circularity, and reduce the environmental footprint associated with current recycling processes. The program prioritizes innovative approaches, processes, or technologies that optimize and implement critical material separation and recovery from e-scrap. This includes building partnerships across the recycling value chain, developing and demonstrating innovations, addressing technical, supply chain, or logistical hurdles, and enhancing supply chains to accelerate connectivity between various stages of recycling. Areas of interest include innovations for electronic scrap (communication devices, home appliances, medical/office equipment) and the recovery of critical materials such as aluminum, cobalt, copper, lithium, nickel, and rare earth elements. Expected outcomes include the development and demonstration of new technologies that lead to more efficient and environmentally friendly e-scrap recycling processes. Measurable results will be seen in increased rates of critical material recovery, reduced costs, and a decrease in environmental impact. Competitor teams can win up to $800,000 in cash prizes and $150,000 in national laboratory analysis support. The prize’s strategic priorities are to act as a catalyst for change, fostering innovation and collaboration to strengthen the domestic supply chain of critical materials, thereby contributing to clean energy initiatives and a more circular economy.

FY2025 National Aquaculture Initiative: Strengthening U.S. Coastal, Marine, and Great Lakes Aquaculture Through Business Support aims to enhance the development and efficiency of U.S. aquaculture businesses by funding projects that address critical business needs and promote partnerships between researchers, industry stakeholders, and Sea Grant extension personnel.

The "Microloan Program National Training Conference" grant is a funding opportunity by the U.S. Small Business Administration for experienced microlending or nonprofit organizations to organize a national training conference for Microloan Program Intermediaries, aimed at enhancing their skills to operate SBA microloan programs effectively, with a total award of up to $499,000 covering logistical expenses for a one-year project period.

This grant provides funding to organizations that support women entrepreneurs in Cameroon, helping them improve their businesses and access U.S. export markets through training and resources.

The U.S. Embassy Nassaus Public Diplomacy (PD) section announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to develop and organize a Regional Alumnae Summit for the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) network throughout the Caribbean. The PD section invites proposals from non-profit organizations, civil society organizations, and U.S. government alumni organizations to design and organize a summit to connect small and medium businesses of AWE Alumnae from across the Caribbean during a 2-day Summit in Nassau, The Bahamas in Spring 2025. This Summit will also provide a forum for AWE Alumnae to expand their professional network, share best practices and gain broader market access. In consultation with the U.S. Embassy Public Diplomacy team, the awardee is expected to organize all logistics for the Summit to include, but not limited to several deliverables. Therefore, the proposal should clearly describe how each item below will be addressed: Structure and Overall plan for the event. The estimated Cost for the proposed Venue for the Summit. Equipment (Equipment cannot account for more than 10% of the total project cost.) Marketing plan Proposed 6 Conference Speakers and associated costs (this should include Bahamian, Caribbean and American Entrepreneurs as well as a Keynote Speaker.) Travel Costs for participants from Family Islands. A Business Expo opportunity for participants. Opportunities for participants to scale up their businesses (ex. export, product development and scaling.) Cost Share (not required but looked upon favorably) Public Private Partnerships Pre and Post Surveys for participants (ex. To garner input for topics for summit)

The HBIIP program offers cost-share grants up to $5 million to fueling and distribution facilities for the expansion of renewable fuel infrastructure, aiming to increase the sales and use of higher blends of ethanol and biodiesel derived from U.S. agricultural products.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for a variety of organizations and individuals to implement public diplomacy initiatives that promote cooperation and shared values between the United States and Finland, focusing on areas like economic prosperity, technology, global security, and youth exchanges.

A key pillar of U.S. strategy in India is to strengthen Indias innovation and entrepreneurship eco-system while also advancing the role of women in the economy and the workforce. Building on the success of our Academy of Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) 2023 program, U.S. Consulate General Hyderabad proposes in 2024 to create an AWE program of 60 total participants for an intensive, four month, workshop style training and mentorship program. Our AWE program will provide training in basic business principles using the established Academy of Women Entrepreneurs/DreamBuilder curriculum. Building on the DreamBuilder framework, we seek to add value for participants by including extensive USG alumni engagement, including the participation of distinguished alumni as speakers and as informal mentors to all participants. Hyderabads AWE program will again also tap into existing U.S. government-funded resources to provide additional value to participants, including the use of our American Corners for in-person event locations and the use of a specialist to help participants hone their business communications and presentation skills. For 2024, priority for participation will be given to underrepresented groups, including Muslim women.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to state and local governments, nonprofit organizations, and tribal entities in Massachusetts and Indiana to help businesses access training and assistance for securing government contracts.

This funding opportunity supports not-for-profit organizations and educational institutions in the UAE to develop programs that strengthen U.S.-UAE relations through cultural events, space exploration initiatives, and entrepreneurship activities.

This program provides funding to public bodies, nonprofit organizations, and government entities to support economic development and job creation initiatives in rural areas with populations under 50,000.

In October 2023, the Irish parliament passed new investment screening legislation and expects to implement the legislation in 2024. U.S. Embassy Dublin announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to implement an exchange program for Irish policymakers, legal professionals, and academics. The program should facilitate an exchange of best practices between the United States and Ireland, focused on sharing U.S. expertise and lessons learned - including federal and state government, legal, and academic perspectives - on foreign direct investment (FDI) in the United States. This exchange program should facilitate travel for up to five Irish participants and up to five American participants between the United States and Ireland, as well as cover the costs of associated events. Funding should also be made available for Irish participants to join relevant trainings on investment screening in third countries. Award subject to the availability of funds. A successful program may include meetings with: 1. officials at Treasury, State, Commerce, Energy, and other agencies involved in the CFIU.S. process to learn how the U.S. reviews investment, including what criteria are taken into account and how decisions are made 2. congressional staff to learn more about how CFIU.S. legislation was passed and understand current issues around investment screening 3. private sector contacts whose companies have undergone the CFIU.S. process 4. law firms and consultancies that represent clients in CFIU.S. reviews Objectives for the project: 1. Facilitate sharing of U.S. knowledge and expertise on investment screening 2. Examine multiple models for screening investments with counterparts from various sectors 3. Review the U.S. experience with establishing a high threshold, national security-based screening system to attract, rather than deter investment Applicants with questions may email [email protected].

This program provides funding to empower local organizations and communities in specific countries to lead their own development initiatives, focusing on inclusivity and sustainability.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations working to strengthen small and medium-sized enterprises in Haiti, helping them improve performance, access financing, and create jobs to foster economic growth.

This funding opportunity supports the training and development of 100 young women entrepreneurs in South Africa, Lesotho, and Eswatini through a combination of online learning and in-person mentorship.

The Office of Native American Affairs (ONAA) mission is to ensure that American Indian, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians (referred to collectively as Native American) seeking to create, develop and expand small businesses have full access to the business development and expansion tools available through the Agency’s entrepreneurial development, lending and procurement programs. ONAA’s overarching goal is to promote and support American Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiian entrepreneurs. In recent years, ONAA has successfully sponsored and managed nation- wide contractor-led workshops and roundtables, co-sponsored agreements, interagency agreements, and tribal consultations; developed and distributed promotional materials; and attended and participated in national and regional economic development conferences as subject matter experts for these groups. The focus of this pilot program initiative is to award a grant to a Native American serving business to carry out projects that support developing exports by eligible Native small businesses. The objective of NATEP is to increase (1) the number of Native small businesses that export, (2) the dollar value of exports, and (3) the number of Native small businesses exploring significant new trade opportunities. Such empowerment will serve to maximize economic impact and improve quality of life for the targeted underserved communities. Section 7(j) of the Small Business Act authorizes the U.S. Small Business Administration to provide management and technical assistance to eligible individuals and businesses. To be eligible for 7(j) services, a client must be: a socially and economically disadvantaged individual whose firm is a participant in the 8(a) Business Development Program; a business that is eligible to receive 8(a) contracts; or a business which qualifies as small under 13 CFR subpart 121 – Small Business size Regulations, and which is located in an urban or rural area with a high proportion of unemployed or low-income individuals, or which is owned by low-income individuals. The term “high proportion of unemployed” means the urban or rural county’s unemployment rate is not less than 140 percent of average unemployment rate for the United States or for the State in which such county is located, whichever is less, based on the most recent data available in the annual Local Area Unemployment Statistics report from the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. The term “low- income individual” means an individual whose family’s taxable income for the preceding year did not exceed 150 percent of the poverty level amount established by the Bureau of Census, U.S. Department of Commerce, for determining poverty status.

CPO plays a critical role in advancing science and informing decisions for climate adaptation, resilience, and mitigation as part of NOAA and the U.S. Global Change Research Program. CPO research/science programs and activities meet urgent climate challenges, and incubate innovative advancements in Earth system and social sciences; support world-class assessment reports, including the National Climate Assessment; enhance and expand NOAAs capabilities for integrated information systems for drought, heat and floods to deliver timely science-based information that can reduce the impacts and costs of these climate-driven challenges; educate and grow the next generation of experts in support of NOAAs climate mission. Through these new investments, CPO expands previous efforts focused on climate risks to address a suite of urgent climate-driven societal challenges faced by our Nation including water availability and quality, marine and freshwater ecosystems, coastal changes and inundation, drought and extreme heat and related cascading hazards like wildfire, and air quality, and climate mitigation (more information about CPO Societal Challenges and Risks framework can be found here. NOAA, OAR, and CPO require applicants and awardees to support the principles of diversity and inclusion when writing their proposals and performing their work; indeed, applicants will be evaluated, in part, on how well principles of diversity and inclusion are addressed. Diversity is defined as a collection of individual attributes that together help organizations achieve objectives. Inclusion is defined as a culture that connects each employee to the organization. Promoting diversity and inclusion improves creativity, productivity, and the vitality of the climate research community in which CPO engages.

This award recognizes and promotes innovative green chemistry technologies that significantly reduce environmental impact, particularly in areas like greenhouse gas emissions, and is open to small businesses and academic researchers across the U.S.

This funding opportunity is designed to empower women entrepreneurs in Namibia by providing training, resources, and networking opportunities to help them grow their businesses and foster local partnerships.

The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Program is the U.S. Small Business Administrations (SBAs) largest matching grant-funded program providing quality service to the small business community. The SBDC Program has 63 Recipient Organizations - one in each state (with the exception of four regional SBDC networks in Texas and five regional networks in California), the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands. The Recipient Organization is responsible for establishing a Lead Center and a network of partner Service Centers to cover its designated area of service. The SBDC Program links the resources of Federal, state, and local governments with the resources of the educational community and the private sector to provide assistance to the small business community. In partnership with SBAs Office of Small Business Development Centers (OSBDC) and District Offices, SBDCs develop business counseling and training programs, informational tools, and other services that enhance the economic development goals and objectives of SBA, in their respective service areas, and their local funding partners.