Small Business Grants & Funding

A curated directory of grants, loans, and tax credits for small businesses in New England. Updated for 2025.

⚠️ Grant programs open and close frequently. Always verify current status and deadlines directly with the administering agency before applying.

Jump to Your State

Massachusetts 6 programs Connecticut 5 programs Rhode Island 5 programs Vermont 5 programs New Hampshire 5 programs Maine 6 programs

Federal Programs

Available to small businesses in any state.

Grant

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Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)

U.S. Small Business Administration

Competitive grants for small businesses engaged in R&D with commercial potential. Funded through 11 federal agencies including NIH, DOD, and NSF.

Amount: Phase I: up to $275,000 · Phase II: up to $1.83M

Eligibility: For-profit U.S. small businesses with <500 employees doing R&D

Grant

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Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR)

U.S. Small Business Administration

Similar to SBIR but requires formal collaboration with a university or research institution. For businesses commercializing science and technology.

Amount: Phase I: up to $275,000 · Phase II: up to $1.83M

Eligibility: Small businesses partnering with a U.S. research institution

Loan

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SBA Microloan Program

U.S. Small Business Administration

Loans up to $50,000 through nonprofit intermediary lenders. Often more accessible than traditional bank loans, with business training included.

Amount: Up to $50,000 (avg. loan: ~$13,000)

Eligibility: Small businesses and nonprofit childcare centers; varies by intermediary

Grant

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USDA Rural Business Development Grant

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Grants for rural small businesses and nonprofits to support business development in rural areas. Funded through USDA Rural Development.

Amount: Varies — typically $10,000–$500,000

Eligibility: Businesses in rural areas (population under 50,000)

Grant

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Economic Development Administration (EDA) Grants

U.S. Dept. of Commerce

Infrastructure and planning grants to help distressed communities attract business investment and create jobs. Usually goes to governments and nonprofits, not directly to businesses.

Amount: Varies widely

Eligibility: Primarily governments, nonprofits, and EDAs — not direct to businesses

Loan & Grant

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Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) Fund

U.S. Dept. of the Treasury

CDFIs are mission-driven lenders that provide affordable financing to underserved communities. Access grants and loans through your regional CDFI.

Amount: Varies by CDFI

Eligibility: Businesses in low-income or underserved communities; varies by CDFI

State-Specific Programs

Massachusetts

6 programs →

Massachusetts has one of the more robust small business support ecosystems in New England, with programs through MassDev…

Connecticut

5 programs →

Connecticut offers small business support through the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD), CTNext fo…

Rhode Island

5 programs →

Rhode Island Commerce Corporation is the main hub for business financing in the state. RI also has active programs for i…

Vermont

5 programs →

Vermont has a tight-knit small business support community through the Vermont Agency of Commerce, Vermont SBDC, and VEDA…

New Hampshire

5 programs →

New Hampshire has fewer direct grant programs than other New England states — consistent with its low-regulation philoso…

Maine

6 programs →

Maine has strong programs for innovation, aquaculture, and rural business through the Maine Technology Institute, Financ…

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