Every grant starts with the Department of Commerce from each respectable state. Without it, and there would be no grants to aid small businesses. The startup hardship of stating a business from the ground up becomes not impossible, but very difficult. Currently, there’re 33,185,500 small businesses in America.
Federal and State Grants contribute a total of 1.1 trillion Dollars to the economy alone. so while there’s a large amount of businesses in the country, there’s plenty of funding to go around. Yet, be mindful, that while there’s a huge influx of funding and grants. Each grant is quite competitive, so keep in mind when establishing your own business. Planning, creating a budget and even sometimes a little luck will either make or break your business.
What are small business grants?
Government agencies, corporate funds, and even foundational funding organizations sometimes will offer guidance for any business. Grants come in different sizes and shapes, some having specific conditions just to obtain. But despite the challenges that come with it, grants are free, they usually do not need to repay. Unless you use the funds for illegitimate purposes, then the grant is required to be reimbursed.
Yet, its not a loan. Loans come with their own stipulations and conditions. Some loans have a certain time frame for them to be repaid, others require a downpayment before you receive the loan, and the worst part. Interest.
North Dakota state-specific grants for 2026
- Technical Skills Training Grant – The Technical Skills Training Grant helps North Dakota businesses offset the cost of training employees in highly skilled technical roles. Visit the North Dakota Department of Commerce website at commerce.nd.gov/services-assistance/grant-programs for current funding availability and application details.
- Regional Workforce Impact Program – The Regional Workforce Impact Program (RWIP) provides grants to regional workforce entities in North Dakota, not directly to individual small businesses, to design and implement plans addressing their region’s most pressing workforce challenges. The program has been appropriated $12.5 million. If your business has workforce needs in your region, contact your regional workforce entity to learn how RWIP-funded initiatives might support your hiring and training efforts.
Specific grants are grants that focus on the development of specific programs or hardships. The Regional Workforce Impact Program was created in the year 2020. Its main purpose was to respond to the economic hardships of COVID-19. The technical skills training grant provides financing to offset training highly skilled employees.
1. Rural Business Development Grants in North Dakota
RBD (Rural Business Development) Program grants funding for tribes, non profit organization, and public body or Governmental placement. Within this program are two grants available. Business opportunity grants and business enterprise grants.
It’s worth noting that RBD Program grants are awarded to tribes, nonprofit organizations, and public bodies or government entities — not directly to individual for-profit small businesses. These organizations then use the funding to support small business development within their communities through technical assistance, incubators, and other programs.
Within this program are two grant types: Business Opportunity Grants and Business Enterprise Grants.
Applications and conditions
To apply one most be one of the following. Additional information can be found here.
- To apply, an organization must be one of the following: a Native American tribe, a nonprofit organization, or a public body or governmental entity.
- Additional information can be found at the USDA Rural Development website.
- Unrestricted state allocated funding, Native American set-aside funding, and Rural Economic Area Partnership (REAP) funding are all available through this program.
2. Base Enhancement Retention Grant
The Base Enhacement Retention grant alone is a federal grant. Funding is awarded to nonprofit organizations, economic development groups, and local governments, not directly to individual small businesses. The purpose is to enhance military readiness and community integration around Minot Air Force Base, Grand Forks Air Force Base, and Fargo Air National Guard facilities. The total program funding is $600,000.
If your business operates in one of these communities, contact your local economic development organization to learn whether Base Enhancement Grant funding could support a project relevant to your business.
Applications and procedures
To apply, eligible organizations must submit a letter to the Department of Commerce that includes a preferred point of contact, associated contact information, the requested amount, intended use of funds, and the desired outcome.
3. State Energy Program
The State Energy Program (SEP) primarily funds political subdivisions, schools, state agencies, and nonprofit organizations, not individual for-profit small businesses. Grants range from $7,500 to $75,000, with a 20% match required in most cases, and fund activities like energy audits, efficiency upgrades, and educational programs.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis year-round. However, to guarantee consideration for the upcoming program year (which runs July 1 through June 30), applications or a letter of intent must be received by March 1.
Applications and procedures
- Applicants must be registered at SAM.gov
- Applicants must be for future projects (cannot have a project already underway)
- Purchase of goods exceeding $10,000 require three bids. If less, an explanation letter must be sent to the program manager
- Additional information can be found on the website
Industry-specific and niche grants
Industry specific grants are very specific to a category. Weather Argicutural, Technological, or even entertainment. With that in mine, each grant has a special condition to be obtained, but anything industrial is usually earned by contributing to the state, or contributing to the state and the whole American economy. Down below is a list of programs that focus on energy, and innovative research. Each grant has its own uniqueness and requirements to participate.
1. Automate ND Grant Program
This grant aims to help businesses who experienced work shortages during the pandemic. More specifically, businesses that need hands to operate machinery.
Application process, terms and conditions
- Applicants must be registered to do business within the state of North Dakota
- Businesses must have less than 500 employees
- The Equipment must be utilized in a facility located in North Dakota
- The Machinery, equipment or software has not been purchased
- More information can be found here
2. Innovate ND
The Innovate grant focuses on encouraging entrepreneurs on furthering their business by supporting customer and market research. The program offers reimbursement of up to $50,000 total, split into two phases of up to $25,000 each, with participants given six months to complete each phase for a maximum of 12 months overall.
The program is delivered through four regional entrepreneur centers staffed with certified business coaches who provide one-on-one guidance throughout the process. Innovate ND has supported more than 70 startups across the state over the last two biennia, with around 20 new participants expected to be accepted from 2025-27.
Application Process
To be eligible, applicants are not guaranteed acceptance into phase 2.
- This is a first come, first serve program
- Participating members must complete all phase requirements within the three-month timeframe of each phase
- Participant agrees to complete an annual survey at the time they are accepted into phase one. And, up to three years after the completion of the program
3. Energy Conservation Grant
The Energy Conservation Giant grant focuses on projects such as installation of insulation. Weather sealing, heating and venting, and air conditioning. The main objective of this grant is energy efficiency. It’s important to note that the Energy Conservation Grant is specifically for nonfederal public buildings owned by political subdivisions, not for individual small businesses. The program typically funds LED lighting upgrades and other efficiency improvements, covering up to 50% of project costs with a cap of $100,000.
How to apply?
This program is intended for local governments rather than individual businesses. If your business operates in partnership with a local government on an energy efficiency project, more information can be found at the state website.
Native American Small Business Support Program
The North Dakota Department of Commerce offers $600,000 to support Native American-owned small businesses across the state. Unlike several of the other programs on this page, this funding can go directly to individual businesses — awards may be made to one or multiple businesses depending on the round. The intent of the program is to maximize economic impact by supporting the growth, sustainability, and competitiveness of Native American-owned small businesses in North Dakota.
Autonomous Agriculture Grant Program
The North Dakota Department of Commerce periodically requests proposals for grant funding of up to $7.5 million, awarded as a single grant or divided among multiple recipients, to support transformational initiatives that advance autonomous agriculture in the state. This program is designed for businesses and organizations working on cutting-edge agricultural automation technology that could meaningfully shift how farming is done in North Dakota.
Federal grants available to North Dakota businesses
The Federal government does a lot for its people. That also includes having grants and resources so your business too can succeed. The SBA usually focuses on helping veterans or small business centers, while the latter SBIR, STTR, and STEP. Help with exporting, research and development. While it may come off as imposing, all of them are here to help your business succeed.
1. SBIR Small Business Innovation Research
SBIR Small Business Innovation Research and STTR Small Business Technology Transfer has set aside 1.4 trillion dollars from R&D Research and development purse to aid businesses in their early development.
2. STTR Small Business Technology Transfer
Similar to SIBR the STTR focuses more on Technology. Usually being partnered with universities or colleges in the name of Research and Development. Moreover, in the non-profit research institutions. These constitute charitable organizations, private foundations and political organizations.
Application and conditions for eligibility
There are grants sponsored by the DOD – Department of Defense that can be found here.
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.
3. Small Business Association (SBA)
The SBA has resources and information available for a small business to thrive. They offer grants to veterans and disabled veterans-owned businesses. This also includes business development centers.
How to submit your application
There are several different grants to choose from. Each of them have their own terms and conditions. Some have very specific requirement, but all can be found here.
4. STEP State Trade Expansion Program
State Trade Expansion Program was founded in 2011, to assist small businesses in selling goods in international markets. Within this program is a series of training that aid a small business to sell proficiently on the international stage. The Office of International Trade works with different branches to aid in the success of small businesses seeking to export. To find more information, and to get in contact with some of the staff, please click here.
How to submit your application
There are several different grants to choose from. Each of them have their own terms and conditions. Some have very specific requirement, but all can be found here.
Corporate and private foundation grants for 2026
North Dakota has a total of 74,202 small businesses. With that, each business has at least at some point gotten a grant. Each grant provides its own terms of conditions, some conditions are contest-based, while others are more specific and benefit the state and or economy. Corporations usually give grants via contests. But sometimes they too grant money to a small business. Foundational grants are usually nonprofit entities. These companies and foundations include the following:
- FedEx E-Commerce Learning Lab: FedEx partners with Accion Opportunity Fund to offer a four-month e-commerce accelerator and graduates receive a $5,000 grant.
- National Association of Self Employed: Offers Growth Grants of up to $4,000 for small business development activities, reviewed quarterly.
- Verizon: Awards $10,000 grants after completing two free courses on Verizon’s Digital Ready platform.
- Visa Foundation (CLOSED): Visa Everywhere Initiative is no longer accepting US applicants, check visafoundation.org for any new programs.
With a constant growth in population, there will always be a demand for goods that are being traded every single day. Big or small, an imprint has been made today and more to come in the future of 2026.
Conclusion
Grants are essential to helping small businesses in North Dakota thrive. They provide vital financial support that eases operational strain and fosters innovation, growth, and resilience. From state initiatives like the Regional Workforce Impact Program to national opportunities through the SBA, SBIR, and STTR, there are countless ways to secure funding that strengthens both your business and the local economy.
Private organizations and foundations such as FedEx, Verizon, and the Visa Foundation continue to play an important role in fueling entrepreneurship, offering millions in grant money and resources to small businesses nationwide. By researching, planning carefully, and applying strategically, you can position your business for lasting success, and perhaps one day, pay it forward by helping other entrepreneurs do the same.