Federal Grants for Businesses

According to the SBA there are no federal grants available for starting a businesses. Most grants by private foundations are to non-profit organizations. There are some programs that make the grant to the non-profit organization, who then hires a for-profit business entity to complete the work or research specified in the grant. When you see headlines that say some well known company got started with government money, what they mean is that the company got an SBA loan, not a grant.

Federal Grants for Research and Development

These grants are by the federal government for research and development in the private sector by independent companies who are not dominant in their industry. The person applying for the grant must work full time in the company receiving the grant. There are two phases. Phase I and Phase II, only those companies who have already received a Phase I grant are eligible for Phase II grants. Grant amounts range from $50,000 to $500,000 and are competitive.

Department of Health and Human Services
National Institute on Aging
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
National Institute on Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and skin Diseases
National Institute on Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases
National Institute on Neurological Disorders and Stroke
National Institute on General Medical Sciences
National Heart, Lung, Blood Institutes
Public Health Service Bethesda, MD 20892

Department of Health and Human Services

Division of Injury Prevention and Centers for Disease Control
Public Health Service
2545 East Paces Ferry Road, NE
Atlanta GA 30305

National Center for Research Resources
Grants and Assistance, Agreements Section
Division of Food and Drug Administration
Public Health Service
HFA-520 Room 3-40 Parklawn Building
5600 Fishers Lane
Rockville, MD 20857

National Foundations

If you can present your company in such a way that it benefits society, you may be able to qualify for a foundation grant directly. Think creatively but not deceptively.

National Foundations

Allstate Foundation
Allstate Plaza North
Northbrook, IL 60062

Carnegie Corporation of New York
437 Madison Ave.
New York, NY 10022

The Ford Foundation
320 E. 43rd St.
New York, NY 10017

Metropolitan Life Foundation
One Madison Ave.
New York, NY 10010

Readers Digest Foundation
Roaring Brook Rd.
Pleasantville, NY 10570

Rockefeller Foundation
1133 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036

Xerox Foundation
P. O. Box 1600
Stamford, CT 06904

Federal Research Grants

There are also grants by the federal government in addition to the SBIR grants or private foundations. Some states run cooperative and independent grant programs as well.

Department of Agriculture
Ag Box 2241
14th Street and Independence Ave. SW
Washington D. C. 20250

Department of Agriculture
Cooperative State Research Service
Ag Box 2201
Washington D. C. 20250

Biological Sciences
Computer and Information Science and Engineering
Education and Human Resources
Engineering Grants
Geosciences
Mathematical and Physical Sciences
Social, Behavioral and Economic
National Science Foundation
4201 Wilson blvd.
Arlington, VA 22230

Department of Energy
Office of Management Resources Conservation and Renewable Energy
Washington D. C. 20585

Department of Energy
Fossil Energy Program
FE-122
Germantown, MD 20545

Department of the Interior
Office of Earthquakes, Volcanoes and Engineering
Geologic Division
National Center
Mail Stop 905
Reston VA 22902

Department of the Interior
Geological Survey Research National Center
Mail Stop 104
12201 Sunrise Valley Drive
Reston, VA 22092

Department of Commerce
Office of Trade and Industry Services
National Marine Fisheries Service
National Oceanic and Atmospheric administration
1335. East West Highway
Silver Springs, MD 20910

Department of Commerce
National Marine Fisheries Service
9721 Executive Center Drive
St. Petersburg, FL 33702

Department of Health and Human Services
Maternal and Child Health Bureau
Health Resources and Administration
Public Health Services
5600 Fishers Lane Room 18-05
Rockville, MD 20857

Department of Labor and Department of Commerce

Grants available for minority owned businesses including Native American programs. Woman's Special Employment Assistance

US Small Business Administration

Minority Business Development check your local office.

US Department of Agriculture has several grant and loan programs.

Grants By Cities And Local Organizations

Grants by cities for local redevelopment projects or restoration projects are occasionally available to qualifying businesses. These grants for the most part are for established businesses located in economically depressed areas. 31. Tax Credits and Services in lieu of Cash Many cities and states offer tax credits for a variety of programs, including training of employees and efforts to increase employment. There are also free services provided in the areas of business planning, marketing, and financial advice. Consulting services are provided for these areas at substantially discounted rates as well by participating professionals. Check with your local city, chamber of commerce and Small Business Development Center to see what's available.