Small business grants in Ohio
What a Ohio small business can apply for: Ohio programs first, then national ones.
- 2 open
- 2 rolling
- 0 upcoming
- Next deadline December 3, 2026
Ohio and regional programs
- Closes03 DEC
North Central SARE Farmer Rancher Grant
Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education · Small businesses, Individuals
Grants for farmers and ranchers in the 12 North Central states to test sustainable practices on their own operations: up to $15,000 for one farmer, $30,000 for a team.
- ApplyANYTIME
Ohio minority and women business loansloan
State of Ohio · Small businesses
Ohio's Minority Direct Loan, Women Business Enterprise loan, Micro-Loan and bonding programs for minority- and women-owned businesses. These are loans, not grants.
- StatusCLOSED
Technology Validation and Start-up Fund
State of Ohio · Colleges, Small businesses
Ohio Third Frontier grants to bring university and lab technology to market: Phase 1 awards of $200,000 to $1 million to institutions, Phase 2 awards up to $200,000 to startups licensing the technology.
National programs you can apply for
- Closes07 DEC
Small Business Digital Ready grants
Verizon · Small businesses
$10,000 grants for U.S. for-profit small businesses that take free courses or events on Verizon's Digital Ready platform. Ten businesses are picked each month.
- ApplyANYTIME
Amber Grant
WomensNet · Small businesses
Monthly grants for women-owned businesses in the U.S. and Canada, with a larger year-end grant, from WomensNet. One short application covers every grant.
Federal grants to Ohio small businesses in 2025
| Program | Awarded |
|---|---|
| Office of Science Financial Assistance Program 81.049 | $5.8 million |
| Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy 81.135 | $3.9 million |
| Aging Research 93.866 | $3 million |
| Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships 47.084 | $2.7 million |
| Biomedical Research and Research Training 93.859 | $1.9 million |
| Cardiovascular Diseases Research 93.837 | $1.9 million |
| Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research 93.865 | $1.8 million |
| Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders 93.853 | $1.6 million |
Questions
What small business grants are open in Ohio now?
The next deadline is December 3, 2026 for North Central SARE Farmer Rancher Grant. 2 programs take applications at any time.
Can I get a grant to start a business in Ohio?
Startup grants are scarce. Most listed programs fund existing businesses, exports, training or research, and several state options are loans. A few national programs, such as the Amber Grant for women-owned businesses, take newer businesses; check each program's rules on age and revenue.
Do I have to pay to apply for a grant?
No. Real grant programs never charge to apply or to receive an award. Anyone asking for a fee before you get grant money is running a scam.