Small Business Grants in New Hampshire
New Hampshire runs its small business funding through the Department of Business and Economic Affairs (BEA) and the Community Development Finance Authority (CDFA). Not all of it is a grant.
Which New Hampshire 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.
New Hampshire Small Business Grant Programs
State-administered funding programs available to New Hampshire small businesses. Verify deadlines directly with the granting agency before applying.
State Trade Expansion Program (STEP)
NH Department of Business and Economic Affairs
$7,500 - $8,000
RollingReimburses up to 80% of eligible export promotion costs, including trade show participation, international marketing materials, website translation, and export consulting services.
Status check, NH STEP is active and accepting applications on a rolling basis subject to funding availability. No fixed deadline for small businesses is listed. A named STEP Project Director at NH DBEA is identified. No pause or closure notice found.
Last verified, Aug 1, 2026
WorkInvestNH Job Training Grant
New Hampshire Employment Security
Up to $70,000
RollingProvides matching funds for workforce training including on-site instruction, technical skills, safety training, and management development. Businesses must pay quarterly taxes into the NH Unemployment Trust Fund.
Status check, Program accepts applications on a rolling basis. Applications should be submitted 60 days in advance of anticipated training start date. Businesses must be NH-based and pay NH unemployment taxes.
Last verified, Jul 30, 2026
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Microenterprise Program
Community Development Finance Authority (CDFA)
$2,000 - $2,500
RollingProvides grants to microbusinesses with five or fewer employees for training, working capital, and technical assistance. Funds are distributed through local organizations such as the Hannah Grimes Center and River Valley Community College.
Status check, The Microenterprise Program is listed as an active grant category. Page describes it as supporting organizations that provide entrepreneurial training and technical assistance to low and moderate income micro-business owners.
Last verified, Jul 30, 2026
CDBG Economic Development Grants
Community Development Finance Authority (CDFA)
Up to $500,000
RollingSupports job creation and economic development projects including land and building acquisition, commercial construction, equipment purchases, and employee training. Funds are awarded through municipalities.
Status check, Economic Development Grants program is listed as an active funding area. Page describes eligible activities including job creation, land acquisition, construction, equipment purchase, and employee training. No specific deadline mentioned.
Last verified, Jul 30, 2026
Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) Catalyst Program
Northern Border Regional Commission
Up to $1,000,000
Deadline Aug 28, 2026Supports infrastructure, workforce development, and economic development projects in eligible northern New Hampshire counties. Multi-jurisdictional projects may receive up to $3 million.
Status check, The NBRC Catalyst Program is active and ongoing as NBRC's flagship grant program. It runs two competitive cycles per year with pre-application windows; spring 2026 round deadlines have passed. Fall 2026 cycle is expected. No closure or pause indicated.
Last verified, Aug 5, 2026
New Hampshire Joint Promotional Program (JPP)
NH Department of Business and Economic Affairs
Varies
RollingProvides funding to invest in tourism promotional initiatives developed by groups and organizations encouraging quality out-of-state and in-state promotion projects.
Status check, JPP is active with FY2027 Round 2 deadline of September 23, 2026. Round 1 (June 24, 2026) has passed. Program runs recurring rounds, not rolling. Open to tourism groups and organizations, not individual small businesses.
Last verified, Aug 5, 2026
CDFA Tax Credit Program
Community Development Finance Authority (CDFA)
Up to $5,000,000 annually (total pool)
RollingAwards approximately $5 million in tax credits annually to nonprofits for community and economic development. NH businesses can purchase credits and receive a 75% state tax credit against their contribution.
Status check, Program awards approximately $5 million in tax credits annually to nonprofits throughout New Hampshire. No specific deadline mentioned, appears to operate on ongoing basis with competitive review process.
Last verified, Jul 30, 2026
Paper and Pulp Manufacturing Industry Stabilization Program
NH Department of Business and Economic Affairs
Varies
Closed March 15, 2024This program has closed. Applications for New Hampshire's Paper and Pulp Manufacturing Industry Stabilization Program shut at 4pm on March 15, 2024, and awards were notified that same month. It was a one time reimbursement program for pulp, paper and paperboard manufacturers, covering equipment, construction, energy and environmental remediation costs. It has not reopened.
Status check, This was a one-time COVID-19 relief grant with a fixed $1.5M pool. Press coverage describes awards in past tense as completed. No active application window or new round found. Program appears closed though no explicit closure notice was located.
Last verified, Jul 27, 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 New Hampshire grant programs expect these basics to be in place.
Form your business entity
Most New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire.
Women-owned Business Grants
Women entrepreneurs in New Hampshire can apply for the Amber Grant, which awards $10,000 monthly with the chance to win a $50,000 year-end grant. The NH SBDC also provides free business advising to help women-owned businesses access funding.
- ›Amber Grant for Women
- ›NH Small Business Development Center
Rural Business Grants
Rural businesses in northern New Hampshire counties can access substantial funding through the NBRC Catalyst Program, which supports infrastructure and economic development projects up to $1 million. CDFA also offers energy audit support for rural small businesses through the USDA Rural Energy for America Program.
- ›NBRC Catalyst Program
- ›CDFA Clean Energy Fund
Minority-owned Business Grants
Minority-owned businesses can access technical assistance and funding through CDFA's Community Development Block Grant program, which prioritizes projects benefiting low-to-moderate income communities. The MBDA also provides business development services at the federal level.
- ›CDBG Microenterprise Program
- ›MBDA Business Centers
Technology/Innovation Business Grants
Technology-focused startups in New Hampshire can pursue federal SBIR/STTR grants for research and development. The NH Business Finance Authority also partners with venture funds like Vox Health Fund and Millworks Fund II for investments in life sciences and digital health companies.
- ›SBIR/STTR Grants
- ›NH Business Finance Authority
Tips for Applying in New Hampshire
Increase your chances of approval with these state-specific tips.
- 1Register for a State of New Hampshire Vendor number through the Department of Administrative Services before applying for any state-administered grants.
- 2For CDBG-funded programs, apply through your local municipality or approved organization such as the Hannah Grimes Center or River Valley Community College, as CDFA awards funds to municipalities, not directly to businesses.
- 3Contact the NH Small Business Development Center (nhsbdc.org) for free, confidential business advising before you apply. SBDC advisors can help you strengthen your grant application and identify additional funding sources.
- 4If applying for STEP export grants, prepare detailed documentation of your marketing efforts and export budgets in advance, including quotes for trade show costs and international marketing materials.
- 5Submit applications as early in the funding cycle as possible. CDFA accepts applications through its online grants management system (nhcdfagrants.org) with strict 4:00 PM deadlines.
State Economic Development Agency
New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs (BEA)
BEA serves as New Hampshire's single point of contact for businesses at all stages, managing grant programs for export assistance, workforce training, tourism promotion, and economic development.
Funding While You Wait
Grant applications in New Hampshire can take weeks or months to process. These options can bridge the gap.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, New Hampshire offers several true grant programs that do not require repayment. The CDBG Microenterprise Program provides $2,000 to $2,500 to microbusinesses with five or fewer employees. The State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) reimburses up to 80% of export promotion costs, with awards of $7,500 to $8,000. WorkInvestNH also provides matching funds up to $70,000 for employee training.
The CDBG Microenterprise Program, administered through the Community Development Finance Authority (CDFA), is one of the most accessible grants for small businesses in New Hampshire. It targets microbusinesses with five or fewer employees, especially those run by low-to-moderate income owners. For businesses involved in exporting, the STEP grant through BEA is another commonly used program.
Most New Hampshire state grant programs do not require minority or women-owned business certification. Programs like STEP, WorkInvestNH, and the CDBG Microenterprise grants are open to all eligible businesses. However, having certification can strengthen your application for certain federal programs and may open doors to additional funding opportunities through organizations like the MBDA.
Timelines vary by program. CDFA processes CDBG grants through its online Grants Management System (GMS), and funds are typically disbursed after a grant agreement is executed and approved claims are submitted. For STEP grants, reimbursement occurs after you complete eligible export activities and submit documentation. Plan for 60 to 120 days from application to funding 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.
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