Small Business Grants in Maryland
Small business money in Maryland comes mainly from the Maryland Department of Commerce and the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development. Grants are only part of it.
Small business money in Maryland comes mainly from the Maryland Department of Commerce and the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development. Grants are only part of it. Every card carries its type and whether it is open. These programs support everything from manufacturing modernization and workforce training to international marketing and community revitalization.
Which Maryland grants fit your business?
Answer 7 quick questions and we sort the 12 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.
Maryland Small Business Grant Programs
State-administered funding programs available to Maryland small businesses. Verify deadlines directly with the granting agency before applying.
Business Boost Microgrants (Neighborhood BusinessWorks)
Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)
$20,000–$50,000
Closed, programme no longer offered by DHCDDHCD ran these microgrants for small businesses in designated Sustainable Communities that needed capital for growth or expansion. Applications have closed and no new round is posted. DHCD's business development page now lists loans, the NourishMD grant for food retailers, and Opportunity Zone incentives.
Status check, Maryland DHCD no longer lists Business Boost Microgrants among its business development programmes. Its grant offering for businesses is now the NourishMD programme, with the rest of its small business support delivered as loans.
Automated check, Aug 25, 2026
Maryland Manufacturing 4.0 Grant Program
Maryland Department of Commerce
$25,000–$500,000
Deadline Aug 31, 2026This competitive grant program helps small and mid-sized Maryland manufacturers invest in Industry 4.0 technologies, robotics, and digital business practices. Grants cover up to 75% of project costs for small manufacturers (3–50 employees) and 50% for mid-sized manufacturers. FY2026 funding was set at $6 million.
Status check, Verified at commerce.maryland.gov on August 21, 2026. The application opened August 3, 2026 at 9AM and closes August 31, 2026 at 5PM. Grants run $25,000 to $500,000 and cover 75 percent of project costs for manufacturers with 3 to 50 employees, 50 percent for those with 51 to 250. A fifth of the fund is reserved for the smaller firms. You need a two digit NAICS code of 31 to 33, at least two years in business, good standing with OSHA and MOSH, matching funds, and a completed CESMII technology assessment through Maryland MEP. Half the award is paid at notice, half on proof of completed spending.
Automated check, Aug 25, 2026
ExportMD Program
Maryland Department of Commerce
Up to $5,000
Rolling, applications due the 1st of each monthExportMD provides matching grants of up to $5,000 to reimburse expenses associated with international marketing projects, including trade show fees, brochures, and travel. Applications are accepted on a monthly basis from qualifying Maryland companies.
Status check, Maryland Commerce accepts ExportMD applications monthly, due on the 1st. Awards reach $5,000 against international marketing costs. An export counselling meeting has to happen before the deadline, so contact the office around two weeks ahead.
Automated check, Aug 25, 2026
Partnership for Workforce Quality (PWQ)
Maryland Department of Commerce
$5,000 minimum (up to 50% of training costs)
RollingPWQ provides matching training grants that reimburse up to 50% of qualified direct costs for worker training in manufacturing and technology companies. At least 60% of funds must go to businesses with 150 or fewer employees.
Status check, Program accepts applications on a rolling basis. Contact regional Commerce representative to apply. Minimum grant is $5,000, reimburses up to 50% of qualified training costs.
Automated check, Aug 20, 2026
MDOT Purple Line Small Business Grant Program
Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT)
Up to $50,000
Deadline Aug 28, 2026This program provides direct grants to small businesses impacted by Purple Line construction in Prince George's and Montgomery counties. Funded at $1 million per year through 2028, with up to three application rounds annually.
Status check, Verified at purplelinemd.com on August 21, 2026. The 2026 Round 2 application period runs June 29 to August 28, 2026, with awards announced September 29. Round 3 opens September 29 and closes November 7, awards December 16. Grants pay up to $50,000 to businesses that were open at their current location before July 1, 2023, sit within a quarter mile of the Purple Line alignment and serve customers on site. A business must apply separately for each round. MDOT has awarded $2.6 million to nearly 250 businesses since 2025, the programme is funded at $1 million a year and ends in 2028, and it is explicitly competitive so eligibility is not an award.
Automated check, Aug 25, 2026
NourishMD Grant Program
Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)
$25,000–$150,000
2026 pilot round closed, 2027 round expected late 2026NourishMD provides grants to support the development, stabilization, and expansion of retail outlets that provide fresh food in Maryland's food deserts. Part of the Moore-Miller Administration's $10 million Community Business Compass initiative.
Status check, Grants run $25,000 to $150,000 against a pool of up to $3.65 million. The 2026 pilot round has closed and the department expects to publish details of a 2027 round late in 2026. Eligible applicants are food retailers in communities with a Fresh Food Gap Score of 60 percent or higher.
Automated check, Aug 25, 2026
TEDCO Concept Capital
Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO)
$25,000–$50,000
RollingTEDCO's Concept Capital provides convertible notes with founder-friendly terms (zero interest, negotiable valuation caps) to bridge the early-stage funding gap for underrepresented entrepreneurs. Eligible founders include those in rural or disadvantaged communities.
Status check, Applications accepted on a rolling basis. Convertible notes of $25k to $50k for underrepresented Maryland tech entrepreneurs. Recent news items from June 2026 show active funding.
Automated check, Aug 17, 2026
Project Restore 2.0
Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)
Up to $300,000
ClosedProject Restore 2.0 gave $8 million to Main Streets, Arts and Entertainment Districts and other place based economic development organisations in Sustainable Communities, up to $300,000 each, which those organisations subgranted to businesses filling vacant storefronts. A business never applied to DHCD directly, and the round is finished.
Status check, Verified at dhcd.maryland.gov on August 21, 2026. This round is finished and it was never a grant a business applied for directly. Project Restore 2.0 gave $8 million to Main Streets, Arts and Entertainment Districts and other place based economic development organisations, up to $300,000 each, which those organisations then subgranted to businesses filling vacant storefronts. Businesses receiving subgranted funds had until December 2025 to open. DHCD now lists Project Restore 2.0 under local government and nonprofits, not under business owners.
Automated check, Aug 21, 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 moreAutomated check, Aug 25, 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 moreAutomated check, Aug 21, 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 moreAutomated check, Aug 21, 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 pageAutomated check, Aug 19, 2026
Get Grant-Ready
Before you apply, most Maryland grant programs expect these basics to be in place.
Form your business entity
Most Maryland 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 Maryland.
Women-owned Business Grants
Maryland's MBE certification program through MDOT includes women-owned businesses, and TEDCO's Concept Capital specifically targets female founders. The Governor's Office of Small, Minority & Women Business Affairs provides additional procurement support.
- ›MBE Certification (MDOT)
- ›TEDCO Concept Capital
- ›Governor's Office of Small, Minority & Women Business Affairs
Minority-owned Business Grants
Maryland requires state agencies to allocate 29% of procurement contracts to certified MBE firms. TEDCO's Minority Business Pre-Seed Fund invests up to $40,000 in minority entrepreneurs with technology-based ideas, and the MSBDFA promotes businesses owned by economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs.
- ›MBE Certification (MDOT)
- ›TEDCO Minority Business Pre-Seed Fund
- ›Maryland Small Business Development Financing Authority
Veteran-owned Business Grants
Maryland's MBE program includes veteran-owned businesses in its procurement goals. The Governor's Office of Small, Minority & Women Business Affairs and local county programs provide resources for veteran entrepreneurs.
- ›MBE Certification (MDOT)
- ›Governor's Office of Small, Minority & Women Business Affairs
Rural Business Grants
TEDCO's Concept Capital specifically supports rural-based founders with convertible notes of $25,000 to $50,000. Western Maryland and the Eastern Shore sit in USDA rural territory, but the Rural Business Development Grant does not take for profit applicants.
- ›TEDCO Concept Capital
Technology/Innovation Business Grants
Maryland is a top state for technology startups, with TEDCO managing multiple funding programs including the Maryland Innovation Initiative and SBIR/STTR support. The Manufacturing 4.0 program provides grants for Industry 4.0 technology adoption.
- ›TEDCO Maryland Innovation Initiative
- ›Maryland Manufacturing 4.0
- ›SBIR/STTR Programs
Tips for Applying in Maryland
Increase your chances of approval with these state-specific tips.
- 1Ensure your business is in good standing with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) before applying to any state program. You can verify your status on the Maryland Business Express website.
- 2Register for a TEDCO ID before applying to any TEDCO-administered programs, including the Maryland Innovation Initiative and Concept Capital. This one-time registration streamlines future applications.
- 3Consider obtaining MBE certification through MDOT's Office of Minority Business Enterprise if your business qualifies. Certification is free and gives access to the state's 29% procurement allocation goal.
- 4Contact the Maryland SBDC for free consulting help with your grant application. The SBDC Network, hosted by the University of Maryland, has regional offices across the state and can help strengthen your business plan and financial statements.
- 5Prepare standard documentation in advance: most Maryland grant applications require a business plan, financial statements, proof of Maryland business registration, and an IRS W-9 form.
State Economic Development Agency
Maryland Department of Commerce
The Maryland Department of Commerce is the state's primary economic development agency, offering financing, grants, tax credits, and business support services to help small businesses start, grow, and compete.
Funding While You Wait
Grant applications in Maryland can take weeks or months to process. These options can bridge the gap.
Grants in Other States
All state grant guidesFrequently Asked Questions
Yes. Maryland Manufacturing 4.0 awards $25,000 to $500,000 to manufacturers with 3 to 250 employees, and its 2026 window closes on August 31. ExportMD reimburses up to $5,000 of international marketing costs and takes applications on the first of each month. The MDOT Purple Line grant pays up to $50,000 to businesses within a quarter mile of the construction, with the current round due August 28. None of those are repaid. The DHCD Business Boost microgrant used to belong on this list and no longer does, DHCD closed it and its business page now offers loans rather than grants.
For manufacturers it is Maryland Manufacturing 4.0, which pays $25,000 to $500,000 and reserves a fifth of its money for firms with 3 to 50 employees. For everyone else it is ExportMD, which reimburses up to $5,000 of international marketing costs and takes applications every month. The DHCD Business Boost microgrant used to be the usual answer here and it is closed. DHCD now lists loans, the NourishMD grant for food retailers and Opportunity Zone incentives, so a Maryland founder after plain grant money has fewer doors than the older guides suggest.
No, most Maryland small business grants are open to all eligible businesses regardless of ownership demographics. However, obtaining MBE certification through MDOT's Office of Minority Business Enterprise can give you access to state procurement contracts with a 29% MBE allocation goal. Certification is free and can be a valuable tool for winning government contracts. Some TEDCO programs, like Concept Capital, specifically prioritize underrepresented founders.
It depends on the programme. ExportMD accepts applications on the first of each month and processes them on a rolling basis. Maryland Manufacturing 4.0 runs one annual cycle, closing August 31, 2026, and pays half the award at notice and half on proof of completed spending. The MDOT Purple Line grant announces Round 2 awards on September 29, 2026 and generally pays within thirty days of that notice. Plan on four to twelve weeks from application to money for most state programmes, and note that every one of these is competitive, so being eligible is not the same as being funded.
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.
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