Small Business Grants in Nebraska
Nebraska's grant money runs through the Department of Economic Development, and you apply for nearly all of it on AmpliFund. The largest open program pays up to $150,000 toward building a prototype.
Nebraska's grant money runs through the Department of Economic Development, and you apply for nearly all of it on AmpliFund. The largest open program pays up to $150,000 toward building a prototype. All of them want matching funds. Most pay by reimbursement, so the cash leaves your account before any of it comes back. Each card below names the funding type, the match, and the date we last checked it.
Which Nebraska grants fit your business?
Answer 7 quick questions and we sort the 15 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.
Nebraska Small Business Grant Programs
State-administered funding programs available to Nebraska small businesses. Verify deadlines directly with the granting agency before applying.
Nebraska Innovation Fund Prototype Grants
Nebraska Department of Economic Development
Up to $150,000 per project, paid as reimbursement
Deadline Jun 30, 2027Nebraska DED pays up to $150,000 toward developing a new product. You bring matching funds. Most businesses show at least 50 percent of the grant request as match. Value added agriculture projects show 25 percent. The money arrives as reimbursement, at 66 percent of project costs, or 80 percent for value added agriculture. You need fewer than 500 staff and a non retail main industry. These are competitive, and DED asks you to talk to staff first.
Nebraska SBIR and STTR Matching Grant Program
Nebraska Department of Economic Development
Up to $5,000 in Phase 0, then a match capped at $150,000 in Phase I and $300,000 in Phase II, or 65 percent of the federal award
Deadline Jun 30, 2027Nebraska matches federal SBIR and STTR awards, and the money is larger than the entry step suggests. Phase 0 pays back up to $5,000 of what it costs to prepare the federal bid, which is the part most founders never budget for. Once a federal award lands, Phase I matches it up to $150,000 and Phase II up to $300,000. Both are also capped at 65 percent of the federal grant, whichever is lower, so a $150,000 federal award brings $97,500, not $150,000. All three phases take applications from 7 July 2026 to 30 June 2027, or until the money runs out. You must be a for profit small business doing at least 51 percent of the work in Nebraska.
Nebraska Academic Research and Development Grants
Nebraska Department of Economic Development
Up to $100,000 in Phase I, up to $400,000 in Phase II
Applications opened July 6, 2026This pays for research you run with a Nebraska college or university. Phase I caps at $100,000. Phase II caps at $400,000 and only opens to businesses that finished a Phase I. You match the grant dollar for dollar, or at 25 percent for value added agriculture. DED will not fund more than two awards on one project inside four years. Each phase should finish within 24 months.
Nebraska State Trade Expansion Program (STEP)
Nebraska Department of Economic Development
Reimbursement of approved export costs, 25 percent match
Open cycleSTEP pays Nebraska exporters back for trade show fees, translation and similar export costs. The money is federal, from the SBA, and DED runs it. You pay first and claim back. STEP 13 asks you to cover 25 percent yourself, so $10,000 of costs needs $2,500 of your own. Get approval before you book. The cycle is open now.
CDBG Economic Development Program
Nebraska Department of Economic Development, Community Development Division
$125,000 to $515,000 in the 2026 round
Deadline Jun 30, 2027CDBG money goes to projects that grow Nebraska's economic base. The jobs created or kept have to benefit low and moderate income workers. A local government applies, not you, so a business reaches this money by working with its city or county. The 2026 round runs from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027 and awards $125,000 to $515,000. Your council's timetable becomes yours, so start the conversation early. The income test is checked after the award as well as before it.
6 Regions, One Nebraska (6R1N)
Nebraska Department of Economic Development, Governor's Office, Nebraska Chamber of Commerce
Varies by region
Ongoing initiative, no applicationA regional framework that pushes neighbouring Nebraska communities to work together. It focuses on housing, childcare and attracting industry. Each of the six regions gets its own navigator. There is no application. A business gains from what the region builds, not from a cheque.
Business Innovation Act (BIA)
Nebraska Department of Economic Development
Varies by stage (seed to commercialization)
Rolling, fiscal year July 1 to June 30The Business Innovation Act is the law behind most of Nebraska's innovation funding. It is not a programme you apply to. It pays for the Prototype Grants, the Seed Investment Program, the SBIR and STTR match, Academic R and D and the microenterprise schemes. Each of those has its own listing on AmpliFund. Look for the programme you want, not for this Act.
ImagiNE Nebraska Act
Nebraska Department of Economic Development / Nebraska Department of Revenue
4–7% investment credits, 4–9% wage credits, plus sales/use tax refunds
Deadline Dec 31, 2030Nebraska's main business tax incentive, and it is not cash. It gives investment credits, wage credits and sales and use tax refunds to businesses that expand here or move here. Credits pay back tax you owe, so they are worth nothing until you are profitable. You sign an agreement with the state first, then hit job and investment targets. Rates run 4 to 7 percent on investment and 4 to 9 percent on wages. Distressed and rural areas earn more. The scheme runs to the end of 2030.
Apprenticeship Programs and Workforce Development
Nebraska Department of Economic Development (partnership with community colleges)
$7 million allocated to community colleges
No application window foundA state plan to build apprenticeship places in Nebraska's community colleges. The target is 6,000 new apprenticeships by 2030. The $7 million goes to the colleges, not to you. An employer joins by partnering with a college. There is no form to fill in.
Nebraska Small Business Assistance Act (NSBAA)
GROW Nebraska Foundation (contracted by DED)
Up to $25,000 (new businesses), up to $12,500 (existing businesses)
ClosedThis programme is closed to new applications. The Nebraska Small Business Assistance Act paid grants and professional services toward starting or expanding a small business. New businesses could get up to $25,000 and existing ones up to $12,500. It is not currently funded. It is listed here so you do not spend time chasing it.
HOME CHDO Program (2026 Program Year)
Nebraska Department of Economic Development
Up to $670,000 (activity + operating) or $50,000 (operating only)
Deadline Jun 1, 2026HOME Investment Partnerships money for housing groups running housing projects. There are two tracks, one for the project and one for running costs. Businesses cannot apply. The 2026 round closed in June. A developer works with a qualifying housing group instead.
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.
Learn moreSBA 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.
Learn moreSBIR/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.
Learn moreMinority 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.
Learn moreGet Grant-Ready
Before you apply, most Nebraska grant programs expect these basics to be in place.
Form your business entity
Most Nebraska 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 Nebraska.
Rural Business Grants
Rural support runs through CDBG Economic Development and the 6 Regions One Nebraska scheme. A council applies for both, not you. The ImagiNE Nebraska Act pays higher credits in distressed and rural areas. Ask your regional navigator first.
- ›CDBG Economic Development
- ›6 Regions One Nebraska
- ›ImagiNE Nebraska Act
Technology/Innovation Business Grants
Nebraska funds innovation through the Business Innovation Act. The Prototype Grant pays up to $150,000 toward product development. The SBIR and STTR match covers federal application costs, then adds state money on top. Academic R and D grants reach $400,000 in Phase II. All three are open. All three want matching funds.
- ›Nebraska Innovation Fund Prototype Grants
- ›Nebraska SBIR/STTR Matching Grant
- ›Academic Research and Development Grant
Women-owned Business Grants
Nebraska's MWBE programme runs through the Department of Economic Development. You get certified by the Department of Administrative Services. Your business must be at least 51 percent owned by women. Do the certification first. GROW Nebraska runs the state's Women's Business Center.
- ›Nebraska MWBE certification
- ›GROW Nebraska Women's Business Center
Minority-owned Business Grants
The same MWBE route applies. Certification is through the Department of Administrative Services and needs at least 51 percent ownership. Do that before you chase a named programme. Certification unlocks the MWBE set aside, not the grants themselves.
- ›Nebraska MWBE certification
- ›Department of Administrative Services
Tips for Applying in Nebraska
Increase your chances of approval with these state-specific tips.
- 1Register on AmpliFund at ne.amplifund.com before you start. It is Nebraska's grant system, and every DED application goes through it.
- 2CDBG Economic Development runs through a local council, not you. Ring your county or city office first. Their timetable becomes yours.
- 3Check the LMI requirement carefully. Most CDBG funded programmes need the new jobs to benefit low and moderate income workers. That test is applied after the award too.
- 4The Business Innovation Act is not an application in itself. It funds the Prototype, Seed, SBIR and STTR, Academic R and D and microenterprise programmes. Each has its own AmpliFund listing, so apply to those.
- 5Budget for reimbursement. Prototype, SBIR and STTR and STEP all pay you back after you spend. STEP asks a 25 percent match, so $10,000 of costs needs $2,500 of your own up front. Keep a paper trail for every claim.
State Economic Development Agency
Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED)
Runs Nebraska's business, community, housing and workforce funding. Its business programs index is where the applyable grants live.
Funding While You Wait
Grant applications in Nebraska can take weeks or months to process. These options can bridge the gap.
Grants in Other States
All state grant guidesFrequently Asked Questions
Yes. Four state programmes are taking applications now, all through the Department of Economic Development. Prototype grants pay up to $150,000 toward developing a product. The SBIR and STTR match covers up to $5,000 of the cost of preparing a federal bid. It then matches the federal award, up to $150,000 in Phase I and $300,000 in Phase II, capped at 65 percent of the federal grant. Academic research grants reach $400,000 in Phase II. Export costs come back through STEP. Every one needs matching funds from you.
The Prototype Grant is the one most Nebraska businesses can use. It pays up to $150,000 toward developing a new product. Reimbursement runs at 66 percent of project costs, or 80 percent for value added agriculture. You show matching funds of at least half the grant request. CDBG Economic Development carries a bigger number, up to $515,000 in the 2026 round. But a local government has to apply for it, not you. That is the catch.
No, not for the main programmes. Ordinary rules apply. The Prototype Grant, the SBIR and STTR match and the ImagiNE Nebraska Act all work that way. Certification only matters for Nebraska's MWBE openings, which run through the Department of Administrative Services. For those your business must be at least 51 percent owned by women or by minority owners.
It varies by programme. CDBG Economic Development runs a multi step review. Your local government has to be in it too, which can add months. For the ImagiNE Nebraska Act, credits can be claimed once your business hits the required job and investment levels. Register on AmpliFund early and have your documents ready. The platform account is a common source of delay.
About the Author
Business Formation Researcher
Eliot leads StartupOwl's state data research. He maintains the site's fifty state records of LLC filing fees, annual costs, processing times, and small business grant programs, checking each figure against the state office that publishes it and logging the date it was verified. Based in New Jersey, he has spent his working life in and around small businesses, and he writes for the founder who wants the real number rather than the advertised one. Every figure under his byline traces to a named source, and when a state proves a number wrong, the correction is published, not buried.
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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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