Top Small Business Grants for 2025 in Kansas

Starting a business in Kansas can feel like an overwhelming process. Between drafting your business plan to securing inventory, hiring workers, and marketing your brand, there are so many details to consider. One of the most important elements is funding, which enables you to do everything else. However, traditional funding methods like small business loans can impact your bottom line with interest payments and credit checks. 

One suitable alternative is securing a small business grant. As a Kansas business owner, you can apply for grant funding from both state and federal programs. Not only can this money help you kick-start your company (or take it to the next level), but it doesn’t require repayment. To help you get the most out of grant opportunities, we’ve compiled a list of available options. Here’s everything you need to know about small business grants for 2025 in Kansas. 

What are small business grants?

A small business grant is a unique type of funding that works differently from a loan. Typically, with a loan, you can use the money however you like, but you must repay it with interest. With a grant, however, you don’t have to repay the funding, but you often must use it for specific business-related activities and projects. Because a grant is technically “free money,” the application and approval process is time-consuming and complex. Usually, you must provide extra documents and details about your company to illustrate why you should receive the grant money and how you plan to use it. 

Overall, small business grants can be a valuable source of funding, especially if your business aims to provide economic development and opportunities within the community. They can also be a powerful way to get the support you need when establishing a new business. For example, in Kansas, if you’re a minority-owned business and need to expand your workforce, you’re more likely to get approved for grants.

Kansas state-specific grants for 2025

Compared to other states, Kansas has limited grant opportunities. But, it offers multiple tax incentives and rebates to spur economic development. Here’s a quick overview of the different grants available to Kansas entrepreneurs. 

Small Business R&D Acceleration Grant

The Small Business R&D Acceleration Grant is a program designed to help small companies develop products to bring to market. According to the grant’s website, recipients can use funds to advance a product or service to commercialization, modify a product or service to enter a new market or gain new clients by partnering with higher education facilities. 

The way this grant works is that you must work with a higher education research facility to develop or modify a product or service that you plan to bring to market. This is a match-funding grant, meaning for every $1 you receive in grant money, you must match the same amount from your own funds. The maximum grant amount is $25,000, and all approved projects must be completed within a year of receiving the money. 

Application process: tips and tricks

First, read through all the grant guidelines to ensure you meet all the eligibility requirements. Also, because this is a match-funding grant, make sure you have sufficient capital to provide your share of the funding. One of the advantages of this program is that it will help you find a research facility, so you don’t have to do that legwork yourself. 

Another advantage of this program is that you can build a relationship with the research institute and then apply for the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Grant. STTR is a federal grant (we’ll break down the details later), but if you have multiple R&D projects in the pipeline, you can take advantage of additional funding to complete them. 

Topeka & Shawnee County Small Business Incentives Program

If your business is located in either Topeka or Shawnee County, you can take advantage of multiple incentive and grant programs offered by Go Topeka. One such grant is a match-funding opportunity designed to make Kansas businesses more competitive on an international scale. In this case, if you receive grant funding from a trade expansion program (like the Kansas International Trade Marketing Assistance Program), you can receive matching funds from Go Topeka to enhance your ability to trade with international partners and enter international markets. 

One thing to note about any money offered by the Small Business Incentives Program is that you must get all of your purchases pre-approved. This application and approval process is an integral part of the program, so be sure to plan accordingly. You can read through all of the incentive opportunities and eligibility requirements. 

Application process: tips and tricks

The goal of the incentive programs offered by Go Topeka is to bring economic development and job creation to Topeka and Shawnee Counties. So, the more your projects will spur innovation and success in the area, the more likely you’ll get approved. Also, because these incentive programs have such strict rules, spend as much time reading through the requirements and parameters as possible. This way, you can adapt your application accordingly, and there will be no surprises later on, especially if you get the money. 

Downtown Topeka Redevelopment Incentive Grant Program

The Downtown Topeka Redevelopment Incentive Grant Program is designed to pay for improvements of residential and commercial buildings within the Capital City Business Improvement District (BID). So, if your business is located in this area, you can apply for grant money. 

This is a partial funding grant. Recipients can receive up to 25 percent of the total project costs, up to $50,000 per project or building. If the developments are only for the building’s facade, the program will pay up to $5,000 for 25-foot fronts and $10,000 for 50-foot fronts. Also, if you get this money, your business must remain in the building for at least three years. 

Application process: tips and tricks

The best way to see if your application will be approved is to look at previous grant recipients. Overall, this grant program aims to upgrade and develop the entire downtown area. If you’re in an older, more run-down building, you may have a greater chance of getting funded. Also, remember that this grant only pays for 25 percent of upgrading costs. So, make sure you can cover the remaining 75 percent before applying. 

Federal grants available for Kansas small businesses

Because Kansas has limited small business grant options, you may want to turn to the federal government instead. Many federal agencies offer grant money for various purposes, such as economic development, international trade, or agricultural development. Because Kansas has a lot of rural spaces, you may be able to qualify for multiple USDA grants to turn patches of empty land into a thriving business. 

While there are many unique federal small business grant opportunities, let’s break down three specific options that may have broad appeal to different Kansas entrepreneurs. 

State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) Grant

The State Trade Expansion Program is designed to help businesses in the United States establish trade partnerships in international markets. As a national program, any business within the country can apply, but it’s administered by local agencies. In Kansas, the Department of Commerce oversees grant approval.

These funds can be used for various expenses related to exporting and establishing a foothold in international trade. Examples can include trips to international trade shows, building or updating your website for a foreign market, and the costs of establishing an export system for your business. 

Application process: tips and tricks

Overall, the best way to ensure you can get STEP Grant money is to illustrate that your products will have high demand in foreign markets. The more potential your product or service has overseas, the more likely you’ll get approved. You can also get local assistance to determine the viability of your expansion plans to help expedite your application and approval process. 

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Grant

The goal of the Small Business Innovation Research Grant is to help small businesses across the country develop and bring new technology to market. This grant is overseen by both the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the American Seed Fund (ASF). One of the great things about this grant is that it doesn’t dilute equity, meaning you keep full control over your new product. 

The SBIR Grant works by allowing various federal agencies to post grant requests. So, rather than applying to the SBA or ASF directly, you apply to the agency funding the specific grant. Examples of participating agencies include the Department of Defense or the Department of Education.  

Application process: tips and tricks

Because you’re getting grant money from a specific federal agency, you must adhere to the organization’s eligibility requirements. Fortunately, you can get local assistance from Kansas-based administrators. The best way to find this help is to sign up with the Lab to Market (L2M) Hub, which can connect you with these SBIR partners. 

Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Grant

Technically, the STTR Grant is part of the SBIR program. However, there’s one crucial difference between this grant and the SBIR. Rather than researching and developing technology within your own business, you must partner with a nonprofit research institute. As we mentioned with the Small Business R&D Acceleration Grant, creating this partnership allows you to participate in both programs. 

There are two ways for the STTR Grant process to work. Either you help a research facility bring its tech to market, or you use a facility to bring your company’s proprietary technology to market. 

Application process: tips and tricks

The application process is the same as the SBIR, meaning grant proposals go to the respective federal agency making the request. However, now is the time to start working with a research facility to ensure you have something to include in your application. 

Corporate and private foundation grants for 2025

State and Federal agencies can be an excellent resource for grant money for Kansas small businesses. However, because getting a government grant can be complicated and time-consuming, it may be better to seek funding from a private enterprise. Many large corporations offer grant programs, although the amounts of these grants are generally lower than those offered by the government. Here are a few examples open to Kansas-based businesses. 

Verizon Small Business Fund

Verizon offers $10,000 grants to small businesses across the country. To qualify, you must participate in at least two grant-eligible programs or events. These programs are designed to give you insight into running your business more efficiently, so you get added value beyond the monetary prize. 

FedEx Entrepreneur Fund and Boost Program

If you want to accelerate your business and grow or develop more rapidly, you should sign up for the FedEx Boost Program. This 12-week course helps you streamline and market your business as efficiently as possible. If you’re in the program, you can receive a $10,000 grant by the end. 

Amazon small business grants

As one of the largest corporations in the world, Amazon has immense resources that can help small businesses in Kansas reach new heights of success. This grant program is open to Amazon Business members who make less than $1M annually in sales. The grand prize is worth $25,000, then there are four $20,000 finalists and 10 $15,000 finalists. The application period opens in May. 

Tailor Brands Grant

Starting a business takes courage, and Tailor Brands wants to make that leap a little easier. Through its Tailor AID Fund, the we help people who have recently lost their jobs due to AI-related changes turn their skills and experience into something new. The program provides a business kit valued at $1,000, including the tools, resources, and a professional business plan to guide you as you launch and grow your business.

Eligibility is simple: applicants must be U.S. citizens and have been laid off within the past 90 days due to AI adoption. Proof of the layoff is required, whether that’s a termination notice, confirmation from a manager, or a public layoff announcement.

For Kansas entrepreneurs, this fund is more than just financial help. It is an invitation to take control of your future, start fresh, and turn a challenge into a business you are proud to build.

Conclusion

Funding your Kansas business doesn’t have to be a complex ordeal. With the right preparation and planning, you can secure grant money to help your venture thrive. Plus, networking with various grant financiers and government organizations can empower you to foster long-lasting business relationships that will pay off over the long term.