Small Business Grants in Alaska
Alaska runs its small business funding through two bodies. They are the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development and the Alaska Small Business Development Center.
Which Alaska grants fit your business?
Answer 7 quick questions and we sort the 11 programs on this page into likely fits and long shots. Nothing personal is asked or stored, and final eligibility is always decided by the granting agency.
Alaska Small Business Grant Programs
State-administered funding programs available to Alaska small businesses. Verify deadlines directly with the granting agency before applying.
Alaska SBIR/STTR Grant Program
DCCED Division of Community and Regional Affairs
$25,000–$100,000
RollingThis state grant program provides matching funds to Alaska-based businesses that hold active federal SBIR or STTR awards. Phase I awardees receive up to $25,000, and Phase II awardees may receive up to $100,000 total. FY2026 program funding is $125,000.
Status check, The DCCED Alaska SBIR/STTR Grant Program had a single documented application window closing May 15, 2023. No official renewal, extension, or reopening has been announced for 2024, 2025, or 2026.
Last verified, Jul 29, 2026
Alaska State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI)
Alaska Small Business Development Center (SBDC) / University of Alaska Anchorage
$500,000–$1,500,000 per loan
RollingAlaska's flagship SSBCI program deploys $59 million over 10 years through loan guarantees, loan participation, equity investment, and collateral support. Ranked number one in the nation in 2026 for percentage of funds deployed, the program prioritizes businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals and very small businesses with fewer than 10 employees.
Status check, The Alaska SBDC SSBCI program is active as of June 2026 with no application deadline for small businesses. Businesses apply via participating lenders. Federal disbursement deadline is Dec 31, 2027 for the state, not individual applicants.
Last verified, Jul 29, 2026
Alaska SSBCI Tribal Consortium
Alaska Small Business Development Center (SBDC) / Alaska Federation of Natives
$500,000–$1,500,000 per loan
RollingPartnering with 125 Alaska Native tribes, this $83.1 million consortium deployed $67.3 million in 61 loans to 57 SEDI-owned businesses in 2026. The program also includes a $23 million venture capital fund for Alaska small businesses.
Status check, The Alaska SSBCI Tribal Consortium is active with no posted application deadline for businesses. Program launched August 1, 2024 and operates on a rolling lender-driven basis. No pause, closure, or discontinuation notices found.
Last verified, Jul 29, 2026
Microenterprise Grant (UAA Center for Human Development)
University of Alaska Anchorage / Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority
$500–$12,000
Deadline Sep 16, 2026This grant provides $500 to $12,000 to help Alaska Mental Health Trust beneficiaries start, expand, or acquire a micro enterprise with fewer than 5 employees and capital needs under $35,000. Multiple applications are accepted across review periods up to the $12,000 lifetime maximum.
Status check, Two application deadlines per year. Fall deadline is September 16, 2026 at 12 p.m. Spring deadline is March 24, 2027 at 12 p.m. Must attend orientation before applying.
Last verified, Aug 3, 2026
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program
DCCED Division of Community and Regional Affairs
Up to $850,000
RollingAlaska's CDBG program funds community development, planning, and special economic development projects that benefit low and moderate-income residents. While grants go to municipalities, Special Economic Development activities can fund job creation projects that directly benefit small businesses, particularly in rural Alaska.
Status check, No current DCCED CDBG open application round or official deadline for FY2025-2026. HUD national CDBG remains active but no Alaska-specific call for applications is documented. Program targets local governments, not small businesses directly.
Last verified, Jul 29, 2026
State Trade Expansion Program (STEP)
DCCED Office of International Trade / U.S. Small Business Administration
Varies (reimbursement-based)
RollingThis SBA-funded reimbursement program helps Alaska small businesses with exporting activities including foreign trade missions, market sales trips, international marketing campaigns, and export trade show exhibits.
Status check, Alaska's STEP-funded ITAG program set September 29, 2024 as the application and activity completion deadline. No subsequent application window is documented. Today is 2026-07-07, well past that deadline.
Last verified, Aug 1, 2026
USDA Micro-Grants for Food Security Program
Alaska Division of Agriculture / USDA Agricultural Marketing Service
$500–$5,000 (individuals), up to $10,000 (organizations)
RollingThis USDA-funded program distributes $2.6 million annually through the Alaska Division of Agriculture for small-scale gardening, herding, livestock, and subsistence projects. Priority goes to applicants in food insecure rural communities.
Status check, Page states the application cycle for this program is closed. A second round of 2024 applications was mentioned as coming soon but no new deadline or application period has been announced.
Last verified, Aug 4, 2026
Federal Grant Programs
These federal programs are available to small businesses in every state.
SBA 7(a) Loan Program
The SBA's primary lending program guarantees loans through participating lenders. This is a loan, not a grant. But the terms favor small businesses that may not qualify for conventional financing.
Status check, This is a loan program, not a grant. The 7(a) Loan Program provides loan guarantees to lenders for small business loans up to $5 million. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis through participating SBA lenders.
Learn moreLast verified, Aug 3, 2026
SBA Microloan Program
Loans up to $50,000, not grants. You borrow from a nonprofit lender near you, not from the SBA itself. The money can cover working capital, inventory, supplies or equipment. Most people get far less than the cap. The average microloan is about $13,000.
Status check, Verified July 30, 2026 at sba.gov. Rates run 8 to 13 percent. The longest term allowed is seven years. Your lender sets both, not the SBA, so two owners can be quoted very different deals. There is no deadline. You apply through an SBA approved lender in your area.
Learn moreLast verified, Jul 30, 2026
SBIR/STTR Grants
Competitive federal grants for small businesses doing research and development with commercial potential. Eleven federal agencies take part. Phase I funds proof of concept. Phase II funds full development.
Status check, Verified July 30, 2026 at sbir.gov. Two different figures get quoted for this program and both are real. As of April 2026 an agency may award up to $323,090 at Phase I and up to $2,153,927 at Phase II without SBA approval, and anything above that needs a waiver. Those are ceilings, not typical awards. Each agency sets its own amounts in its own solicitation, and the sbir.gov agency table currently runs from $50,000 to $300,000 at Phase I and $400,000 to $1.83 million at Phase II. There is no single deadline. You apply through a participating agency.
Learn moreLast verified, Jul 30, 2026
Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Programs
Help for minority owned businesses that need capital, contracts or new markets. MBDA runs business centers around the country. They give advice, help with bids, and point you toward lenders.
Status check, The business centers still run. The grants are a different story. Those windows are short, and they fund groups rather than single businesses. The last one we could find closed in February 2025. We found no open MBDA grant that a small business can apply for today.
View program pageLast verified, Jul 29, 2026
Get Grant-Ready
Before you apply, most Alaska grant programs expect these basics to be in place.
Form your business entity
Most Alaska grant programs require applicants to be a registered LLC, corporation, or nonprofit. If you haven't formed yet, that's the first step.
$39 + state fee. Includes registered agent, business address, and more.
Get your EIN
An Employer Identification Number is free from the IRS and required on nearly every grant application. You can apply online and receive it immediately.
Open a business bank account
Grant funds need to go into a dedicated business account, not your personal checking. Most agencies will ask for your banking details on the application.
Mercury is a fintech company, not an FDIC-insured bank. Banking services provided through Choice Financial Group and Column N.A., Members FDIC.
Grants by Business Type
Targeted programs for specific business owners in Alaska.
Rural Business Grants
Alaska's vast rural landscape means most communities qualify for rural-specific programs. AIDEA's Rural Development Initiative Fund provides loans to businesses in communities with 5,000 or fewer residents not connected by road or rail, or 2,000 or fewer connected. The SSBCI Tribal Consortium also prioritizes rural businesses. USDA's Rural Business Development Grant does not take for profit applicants, so that route runs through your borough or a local non profit.
- ›AIDEA Rural Development Initiative Fund
- ›Alaska SSBCI Tribal Consortium
Minority-owned Business Grants
Alaska's SSBCI programs have a strong focus on socially and economically disadvantaged individuals (SEDI). In 2026, 82 of 99 businesses receiving State SSBCI loans were SEDI-owned. The Tribal SSBCI Consortium specifically serves Alaska Native-owned businesses through a partnership with 125 tribes.
- ›Alaska SSBCI State Program
- ›Alaska SSBCI Tribal Consortium
- ›MBDA Programs
Technology/Innovation Business Grants
The Alaska SBIR/STTR Grant Program provides $25,000 to $100,000 in state matching funds for businesses with active federal SBIR or STTR awards. This program is administered by DCCED's Division of Community and Regional Affairs with $125,000 in annual appropriations.
- ›Alaska SBIR/STTR Grant Program
- ›SBIR/STTR Federal Grants
Women-owned Business Grants
Women-owned businesses in Alaska may qualify as SEDI-owned under the SSBCI program, gaining priority access to loan guarantees and participation programs. The Alaska SBDC provides free one-on-one advising and can help women entrepreneurs connect with appropriate funding sources.
- ›Alaska SSBCI Program
- ›Alaska SBDC
- ›SBA Women's Business Centers
Veteran-owned Business Grants
Veteran-owned businesses in Alaska can access SSBCI financing and SBA veteran-specific programs. The Alaska SBDC offers personalized business advising to help veterans navigate available funding options at no cost.
- ›Alaska SSBCI Program
- ›Alaska SBDC
- ›SBA Veterans Advantage
Tips for Applying in Alaska
Increase your chances of approval with these state-specific tips.
- 1Register your business with the Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing through DCCED before applying for any state grant programs. An active Alaska business license is required for most applications.
- 2Contact the Alaska SBDC for free, confidential one-on-one advising before applying. SBDC advisors can help with business planning, financial projections, and connecting you with the right funding programs for your situation.
- 3For SSBCI loan programs, contact a participating lender directly rather than applying to the state. Review the SSBCI State and Tribal Participating Lender List on the Alaska SBDC website for current options.
- 4Prepare a detailed business plan with three-year financial projections. Most Alaska programs, including the Microenterprise Grant and Division of Investments loan programs, require profit and loss projections and cash flow statements.
- 5If applying for the SBIR/STTR state grant, ensure your federal award is active and submit your application on a rolling basis before the annual deadline. The FY2026 deadline was May 9, 2026, so check the DCCED website for the current cycle.
State Economic Development Agency
Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development (DCCED)
DCCED promotes economic growth, community development, and consumer protection in Alaska, overseeing grant programs, loan funds, and business licensing for small businesses statewide.
Funding While You Wait
Grant applications in Alaska can take weeks or months to process. These options can bridge the gap.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, Alaska offers several true grant programs that do not require repayment. The Alaska SBIR/STTR Grant Program provides $25,000 to $100,000 in state funds to businesses with active federal research awards. The Microenterprise Grant through UAA's Center for Human Development offers $500 to $12,000 for Alaska Mental Health Trust beneficiaries starting or expanding a business. The USDA Micro-Grants for Food Security Program provides up to $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations working on food production projects. However, the largest funding source, the SSBCI program, provides loans and equity investments rather than grants.
The most widely accessible funding program for Alaska small businesses is the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI), administered by the Alaska SBDC. While technically a loan program rather than a grant, SSBCI deployed $168.7 million through 176 loans to 156 businesses across 50 communities in 2026. For true grants, the Alaska SBIR/STTR Grant Program is the most relevant option for innovation-focused businesses. The program is funded at $125,000 annually and provides matching funds of up to $100,000 per business.
No formal minority or women-owned certification is required for most Alaska funding programs. The SSBCI program defines eligible SEDI (Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Individual) businesses broadly, and you self-certify your status when working with a participating lender. However, obtaining a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) certification through the Alaska Department of Transportation can give your business advantages when pursuing state contracts and certain programs. Contact the Alaska SBDC for guidance on which certifications may benefit your specific business.
Processing times vary by program. The Alaska SBIR/STTR Grant Program reviews applications on a rolling basis throughout the application period, with awards typically made within a few months of the deadline. The Microenterprise Grant through UAA has scheduled review periods in September and March each year. For SSBCI loan programs, timelines depend on the participating lender, but the Alaska SBDC reports that loans can close within weeks once approved. Budget 2 to 4 months from initial application to receiving funds for most state programs.
About the Author
Senior Finance & Banking Editor
Richard is the veteran anchor of the site's financial content. Raised in the Midwest and starting his career in Chicago's commercial banking sector, he spent over a decade underwriting small business loans before moving into financial journalism. He doesn't get swept up in startup hype; he cares about unit economics, APYs, and fee structures.
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Grant programs change frequently. Deadlines, eligibility requirements, and funding amounts listed here may be outdated. Always verify information directly with the granting agency before applying. This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or legal advice.
Sources & References
- Alaska DCCED - Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development
- Alaska SBDC - State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI)
- Alaska SBIR/STTR Grant Program - DCCED Division of Community and Regional Affairs
- UAA Microenterprise Grant - Center for Human Development
- Alaska SSBCI Programs Achieve Historic Impact in 2026 - University of Alaska
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