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.
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.
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, Application opens August 3, 2026 at 9AM and closes August 31, 2026 at 5PM. Informational webinar scheduled for July 14 at 10AM.
Last verified, Aug 4, 2026
ExportMD Program
Maryland Department of Commerce
Up to $5,000
RollingExportMD 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, Applications accepted monthly on a rolling basis, due on the 1st of each month. Applicants should contact office at least two weeks prior to application deadline. Up to $5,000 reimbursement available.
Last verified, Jul 29, 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.
Last verified, Jul 29, 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, Round 2 of 2026 grants open until July 31. Provides up to $50,000 to small businesses along Purple Line corridor impacted by construction. Round 3 opens October 12.
Last verified, Aug 4, 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.
Last verified, Aug 4, 2026
Business Boost Microgrants (Neighborhood BusinessWorks)
Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)
$20,000–$50,000
Deadline Oct 14, 2024Through the Neighborhood BusinessWorks program, DHCD offers microgrants to small businesses that need capital for growth or expansion in designated Sustainable Communities. Your business must have annual revenue between $50,000 and $1 million and be in good standing with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation.
Status check, The Business Boost application round closed as of October 14, 2024, at 5 PM. Page states any incomplete applications after the deadline are ineligible.
Last verified, Jul 29, 2026
Project Restore 2.0
Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)
Up to $300,000
ClosedProject Restore 2.0 provides up to $8 million to place-based economic development organizations that sub-grant funding to businesses for rental assistance, renovation, and equipment to activate vacant commercial spaces in business districts.
Status check, Page explicitly states Project Restore 2.0 is currently closed. Businesses that received sub-granted funds had until December 2025 to open and be operational.
Last verified, Jul 29, 2026
NourishMD Grant Program
Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)
Varies
ClosedNourishMD 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, Both Project Restore 2.0 and Business Boost application rounds are explicitly stated as closed. Business Boost closed October 14, 2024. No reopening date mentioned.
Last verified, Jul 29, 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 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, Maryland offers several true grant programs that do not require repayment. The DHCD Business Boost microgrants provide $20,000 to $50,000 to eligible small businesses, and the ExportMD program reimburses up to $5,000 for international marketing expenses. The Maryland Manufacturing 4.0 program awards grants of $25,000 to $500,000 to qualifying manufacturers. All of these are non-repayable grants, though some may direct you to use funds for specific business purposes.
The DHCD Business Boost microgrant, offered through the Neighborhood BusinessWorks program, is one of the most accessible grants for Maryland small businesses. It provides $20,000 to $50,000 for growth and expansion. For manufacturers, the Maryland Manufacturing 4.0 grant is the most popular program, awarding $5 million to 43 businesses in its most recent round. The ExportMD program is also widely used, supporting over 100 companies annually with matching grants for international marketing.
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.
Processing times vary by program. The ExportMD program accepts applications monthly and processes them on a rolling basis. The Maryland Manufacturing 4.0 program has an annual application cycle, typically with awards announced within a few months of the deadline. DHCD Business Boost microgrants follow a periodic application cycle with awards after the round closes. Plan for at least 4 to 12 weeks from application to approval for most state programs, and make sure all required documentation is submitted to avoid delays.
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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