Small business grants in Nebraska
What a Nebraska small business can apply for: Nebraska programs first, then national ones.
- 3 open
- 2 rolling
- 0 upcoming
- Next deadline December 3, 2026
Nebraska 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.
- Closes30 JUN
Nebraska SBIR/STTR matching grants
State of Nebraska · Small businesses
Nebraska grants for for-profit businesses chasing federal SBIR or STTR awards, including Phase 0 grants of up to $5,000 to prepare a Phase 1 proposal.
- ApplyANYTIME
Nebraska Innovation Fund Prototype grants
State of Nebraska · Small businesses
Up to $150,000 per project for Nebraska businesses with fewer than 500 employees building a prototype; a cash match is required.
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 Nebraska small businesses in 2025
| Program | Awarded |
|---|---|
| Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships 47.084 | $1.9 million |
| Biomedical Research and Research Training 93.859 | $1.1 million |
| Nursing Research 93.361 | $985,839 |
| Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program / Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Program 10.212 | $605,249 |
| Special Education Parent Information Centers 84.328 | $250,000 |
| Bioenergy Program for Advanced Biofuels 10.867 | $1,262 |
Questions
What small business grants are open in Nebraska 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 Nebraska?
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.