Small businesses don’t have a lot of wiggle room when it comes to finances. Most of them are living on the margins of success for the first several years of their existence, if not longer. That’s why it’s so important for them to find funding wherever they can, ideally money that doesn’t need to be repaid.
Small business grants fit the bill. A grant is essentially a loan, with the important distinction that you never need to repay it.
This makes them an attractive funding option for businesses of a wide variety, especially since grants can similarly be applied to a wide variety of business needs. Think technology upgrades, capital investment, research and development, expansion, and more.
The good news is, Maryland is a great place to start a small business.
As of the most recently available statistics from the U.S. Small Business Administration, there were more than 639,000 small businesses in the state. They represented 99.5% of all Maryland businesses, and employed nearly 49% of all Maryland employees. In total, that’s more than 1.2 million employees. Small businesses are, in other words, very important for the economy.
If you need a boost for 2026, you are not alone. All businesses face financial challenges, sometimes critical, and small business grants can make a huge difference in your success or failure.
In this post, let’s take a look at the best options for small business grants in Maryland in the coming year. We will explore both state and national grants, as well as private grant programs, and give you all the information you need to get started applying for them. If you’ve always wondered about small business grants 2026 may just be your year.
What are small business grants?
There are many ways to fund a nascent or existing business. Bank loans are one, providing capital to help you get started or keep a business afloat during those difficult early years. Venture capital is the other common one, where investors provide funding in exchange for a cut of your profits later on.
While both of these can be a healthy part of your small business funding, and there is nothing wrong with them, why not look for free money where you can?
That’s what grants are: Funding opportunities with absolutely no strings attached. This allows early-stage businesses to:
- Gain access to capital funding without much collateral
- Invest heavily in their business idea without worrying about interest
- Pour resources into the business with enough left over to pay themselves a living wage
The good news is, there are many grant opportunities from which to choose. Indeed, for funding opportunities Maryland is a great place to look. It has a thriving startup culture, and entrepreneurs can choose between a number of federal, corporate, and nonprofit options.
There also exists a strong Maryland grant program. If you’re curious about the many grant opportunities Maryland has to offer, read on.
Maryland state-specific grants for 2026
First and foremost, let’s take a look at specific small business grants in Maryland. These are the ones that you cannot get in any other state.
Maryland State Department of Education Grants
Rather than offering a single grant, the Maryland State Department of Education offers a number of programs on an ongoing basis. They are geared toward teachers or educators and may represent either formula (government Title I grants) or non-formula. Awards vary.
Application process – best practices and tips
Head to the MSDE’s main grants page and review the currently available grants at the bottom. Click the link to learn more about eligibility requirements and deadlines.
ExportMD
This program is geared toward Maryland companies who are looking to expand or further their current international marketing efforts. You may be awarded up to $5000 to help with related activities, such as trade shows or travel.
Application process – best practices and tips
To learn more, email [email protected] or call 667-263-9354 and explain your goals. The point of contact will introduce you to an appropriate regional manager to help you complete the process.
Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO)
TEDCO is Maryland’s leading source of funding for early-stage, technology-based businesses, and runs several distinct grant and investment programs worth knowing about.
The Pre-Seed Builder Fund provides investments of up to $100,000 to early-stage Maryland technology and life sciences companies that are developing innovative products with commercial potential. This is an equity investment, not a grant, but it is non-dilutive in the sense that terms are founder-friendly.
The Concept Capital program provides convertible notes of $25,000 to $50,000 specifically targeting underrepresented entrepreneurs in Maryland, including those in rural or disadvantaged communities, minority founders, female founders, and founders with disabilities. Terms include zero interest and negotiable valuation caps.
The SBIR/STTR Matching Funds Program provides competitive matching grants to Maryland businesses that have received a federal SBIR or STTR award, helping bridge the gap between Phase I and Phase II and accelerating commercialization.
Application process – best practices and tips
Find the appropriate category that represents your needs at the link above and click the “Learn More” button to see the application process.
Maryland Manufacturing 4.0 Grant
The Maryland Manufacturing 4.0 Grant is a competitive grant program administered by the Maryland Department of Commerce that helps small and mid-sized Maryland manufacturers invest in Industry 4.0 technologies, including robotics, automation, digital business tools, and advanced manufacturing processes. The program is designed to keep Maryland manufacturers competitive in a rapidly evolving industrial landscape.
For small manufacturers with 3 to 50 employees, the grant covers up to 75% of eligible project costs. For mid-sized manufacturers with 51 to 250 employees, the grant covers up to 50% of costs. The state allocated $6 million in FY2026 funding for the program.
To be eligible, your business must be a Maryland-based manufacturer in good standing with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation.
Application process – best practices and tips
This is a competitive program with a fixed annual funding pool, so apply early in the fiscal year. Your application will be strongest if you can clearly demonstrate how the technology investment will improve productivity, competitiveness, or workforce capability at your facility.
Industry-specific and niche grants
Among some of the other best small business grants 2026 has to offer are industry-specific and niche grants. These small business grants in Maryland are applicable to enterprises in certain industries, particularly education, technological advancement, and conservation.
Career and Technical Education Innovation Grant
The CTE Innovation Grant is geared toward business owners whose goal is to drive the development of career and technical education.
Application process – best practices and tips
As small business grants go, it’s quite specific. Make sure you check out the application requirements in the information guide listed on the page before applying.
Maryland Innovation Initiative
For businesses interested in moving their ideas from the lab to the market, the Maryland Innovation Initiative is here to help. The program offers two phases of funding. Technology Assessment grants provide up to $90,000 (or up to $180,000 for joint applications from two qualifying universities) to explore the commercial potential of a new technology. Company Formation investments provide up to $300,000 to Maryland-based startups that have licensed technology from a qualifying university within the past 12 months.
Application process – best practices and tips
The MII accepts applications on a quarterly basis. All applicants must obtain a TEDCO ID before applying.
Federal grants available to Maryland businesses
Like the state of Maryland, the federal government also runs a number of grant programs. Although these are not exclusive to the state, they still comprise some of the best small business grants in Maryland.
Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
The SBIR supports scientific advancement and entrepreneurship through America’s Seed Fund via the Small Business Administration. It helps you both develop the technology and figure out how to get it to market.
Best of all, the funding is non-dilutive. That means you don’t have to give up a share of the profits or ownership to the grantor.
Application process: best practices and tips
The application process is somewhat lengthy, as you can apply for SBIR money through a variety of participating agencies rather than through a single grant. Find local assistance if you need more help.
Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR)
The STTR is available through the same channels as the SBIR. It is also paid for by America’s Seed Fund. Similarly, its goal is also to help you create new technologies and then sell them to other companies or to the government.
The only difference from the SBIR is that in order to get this grant, businesses need a partner. The partner must be a nonprofit research institution. Examples include a laboratory run by the federal government or a research university.
Note: The SBIR and STTR programs lapsed on September 30, 2025, after Congress missed the reauthorization deadline. Both programs were reauthorized in March 2026 and are now active through September 30, 2031.
Department of Defense
As with the SBIR and the STTR, Department of Defense programs may take many forms. Explore their main page to see what they offer such as the Mentor-Protégé Program (MPP) and the Rapid Integrated Scalable Enterprise (RISE) initiative.
Application process: best practices and tips
If you think you might be interested in a program, make sure to research it specifically. The DoD does not have standard timelines or award amounts, but rather sponsors a number of unique programs.
Department of Energy
Funding from the Department of Energy takes a number of forms and it is available in a wide variety of award amounts. You may receive grant money for renewables, nuclear energy, carbon management, and more.
Application process: best practices and tips
Head to the appropriate industry at the above link and click the “View More” button. Explore the currently available opportunities, make note of submission deadlines, and apply for the ones that are right for you.
Corporate and private foundation grants for 2026
Next up on our roundup of small business grants in Maryland our corporate and private foundation grants. There are a huge number of these in the United States, so we cannot cover them all here. However, below you will find some of the best options that we anticipate will be repeated in 2026.
Don’t forget: These are not the only options. Make sure you do thorough research about other private and corporate grants that may apply to your industry, minority status, or financial situation.
Visa Foundation (CLOSED)
The Visa Foundation’s Small Business Grant Program, which previously awarded grants to women-owned and underserved small businesses in the United States, is no longer accepting applications. Check Visa’s website for any new grant programs they may announce.
FedEx
FedEx partners with Accion Opportunity Fund to offer a four-month e-commerce accelerator called the FedEx E-Commerce Accelerator. Graduates receive a $5,000 grant. The Fall 2026 deadline is June 30.
Amber Grant Program
Available to women only, the Amber Grant program is designed to help female entrepreneurs realize their business dreams. The grant is $10,000, with an additional three awards of $25,000 to past winners annually. That means you could get a total of up to $35,000.
Funds are nonspecific, so you can use them for any business activity.
Application process: best practices and tips
The Amber Grant is available on a monthly basis with the winner announced the following month. Feel free to keep applying.
Conclusion
And that concludes our roundup of the small business grants 2026 has to offer!
At the risk of repeating ourselves, remember that there exist many other small business grants in Maryland and beyond its borders. Do your business and start with this list, but keep looking for other opportunities to fund your small business!