Small Business Grants in Alaska
Alaska is a hard state to find a small business grant in, and the state says so itself.
Alaska is a hard state to find a small business grant in, and the state says so itself. The DCCED grants section states plainly that it does not provide or administer grants to individuals, and almost everything it funds goes to municipalities, tribes, non-profit community associations and state agencies. One state grant is open to an Alaskan business today. That is the Microenterprise Grant run by UAA for Alaska Mental Health Trust beneficiaries, and it closes at noon on 16 September 2026. The state SBIR/STTR top up, which used to be the other route, has been closed to applications since the FY2025 round. The largest pot of money on this page is $142.1 million of State Small Business Credit Initiative funding across the state and tribal programmes, and that is loans and equity rather than grants, reached through a participating lender. Read each card for which is which.
Which Alaska grants fit your business?
Answer 7 quick questions and we sort the 11 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.
Alaska Small Business Grant Programs
State-administered funding programs available to Alaska small businesses. Verify deadlines directly with the granting agency before applying.
Alaska State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI)
Alaska Small Business Development Center (SBDC) / University of Alaska Anchorage
$500,000–$1,500,000 per loan
RollingThis is a loan and equity programme, not a grant. Alaska has $59 million of federal SSBCI money to deploy over ten years, split into a $54 million loan guarantee programme, a $0.9 million loan participation programme and a $5 million venture capital and equity programme. As of August 2026 the Alaska SBDC reports it has supported 126 loans worth $107.0 million to 109 businesses in 29 communities, of which 86 were owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals and 69 had fewer than ten staff. The loan total is larger than the allocation because SSBCI backs part of a private lender loan rather than funding the whole of it. You do not apply to the state, you approach a participating lender.
Alaska SSBCI Tribal Consortium
Alaska Small Business Development Center (SBDC) / Alaska Federation of Natives
$500,000–$1,500,000 per loan
RollingThis is a loan and equity programme, not a grant. The Alaska SBDC calls it the largest Tribal consortium in the country under SSBCI, run with 125 Alaska Tribes and holding $83.1 million, split into $49.9 million of loan guarantees, $10.3 million of loan participation and $22.9 million of venture capital. As of August 2026 it reports 96 loans worth $122.0 million to 94 businesses in 26 communities, 91 of them owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals and 53 with fewer than ten staff. Eligibility is wider than the name suggests, the consortium supports Tribal owned businesses but is not limited to them. You approach a participating lender, not the consortium.
Microenterprise Grant (UAA Center for Human Development)
University of Alaska Anchorage / Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority
$500–$12,000
Deadline Sep 16, 2026This is the one state grant an Alaska founder can actually apply for right now, and it is narrow. It pays $500 to $12,000 to Alaska Mental Health Trust beneficiaries who want to start, expand or buy a micro enterprise of fewer than five people with capital needs under $35,000. UAA runs two rounds a year. The autumn deadline is noon on Wednesday 16 September 2026 and the next one after it is noon on Wednesday 24 March 2027, so a founder who misses this month has a spring route rather than a year wait. You can apply in more than one round, but $12,000 is the lifetime cap across all of them.
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program
DCCED Division of Community and Regional Affairs
Up to $850,000
RollingAlaska's CDBG program funds community development, planning, and special economic development projects that benefit low and moderate-income residents. While grants go to municipalities, Special Economic Development activities can fund job creation projects that directly benefit small businesses, particularly in rural Alaska.
Alaska SBIR/STTR Grant Program
DCCED Division of Community and Regional Affairs
$25,000–$100,000
Closed to applications, the FY2025 round closed 9 May 2025 and DCCED has not published a new oneAlaska pays state grant money to Alaska based businesses that already hold a federal SBIR or STTR award. A Phase I awardee can receive up to $25,000, and a Phase II awardee an initial award of up to $25,000 plus a possible supplement of up to $75,000, for a maximum of $100,000. DCCED has closed the programme to applications. Its own page carries the notice that the programme has closed for FY2025 funding, the deadline was 9 May 2025, and the FY2025 appropriation was $125,000. No later round has been published. The state money is not a match you have to raise yourself, DCCED scores applicants partly on their ability to use the state award as match to pull in more federal funding. The programme is still listed among DCCED programmes, so a future round is possible, and DCCED is the place to ask.
USDA Micro-Grants for Food Security Program
Alaska Division of Agriculture / USDA Agricultural Marketing Service
$500–$5,000 (individuals), up to $10,000 (organizations)
Closed, Alaska did not take part in the 2026 roundAlaska is not running this programme at the moment, and the reason matters if you are waiting for it to come back. The Division of Agriculture says it did not apply for the 2026 USDA cycle because administering the money costs more than the 3 percent of the award USDA allows for administration, and running it would pull staff off work the Division is required by statute to do. It says it will look at future rounds and may resume if resources allow. Projects funded in earlier rounds carry on to the end of their performance periods. If you were counting on this money for a gardening, livestock or subsistence project, there is no Alaska application to make.
State Trade Expansion Program (STEP)
DCCED Office of International Trade / U.S. Small Business Administration
Varies (reimbursement-based)
No application window published since September 2024This SBA-funded reimbursement program helps Alaska small businesses with exporting activities including foreign trade missions, market sales trips, international marketing campaigns, and export trade show exhibits.
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 Alaska grant programs expect these basics to be in place.
Form your business entity
Most Alaska 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 Alaska.
Rural Business Grants
Alaska's vast rural landscape means most communities qualify for rural-specific programs. AIDEA's Rural Development Initiative Fund provides loans to businesses in communities with 5,000 or fewer residents not connected by road or rail, or 2,000 or fewer connected. The SSBCI Tribal Consortium also prioritizes rural businesses. USDA's Rural Business Development Grant does not take for profit applicants, so that route runs through your borough or a local non profit.
- ›AIDEA Rural Development Initiative Fund
- ›Alaska SSBCI Tribal Consortium
Minority-owned Business Grants
Alaska's SSBCI programs have a strong focus on socially and economically disadvantaged individuals (SEDI). In 2026, 82 of 99 businesses receiving State SSBCI loans were SEDI-owned. The Tribal SSBCI Consortium specifically serves Alaska Native-owned businesses through a partnership with 125 tribes.
- ›Alaska SSBCI State Program
- ›Alaska SSBCI Tribal Consortium
- ›MBDA Programs
Technology/Innovation Business Grants
The Alaska SBIR/STTR Grant Program provides $25,000 to $100,000 in state matching funds for businesses with active federal SBIR or STTR awards. This program is administered by DCCED's Division of Community and Regional Affairs with $125,000 in annual appropriations.
- ›Alaska SBIR/STTR Grant Program
- ›SBIR/STTR Federal Grants
Women-owned Business Grants
Women-owned businesses in Alaska may qualify as SEDI-owned under the SSBCI program, gaining priority access to loan guarantees and participation programs. The Alaska SBDC provides free one-on-one advising and can help women entrepreneurs connect with appropriate funding sources.
- ›Alaska SSBCI Program
- ›Alaska SBDC
- ›SBA Women's Business Centers
Veteran-owned Business Grants
Veteran-owned businesses in Alaska can access SSBCI financing and SBA veteran-specific programs. The Alaska SBDC offers personalized business advising to help veterans navigate available funding options at no cost.
- ›Alaska SSBCI Program
- ›Alaska SBDC
- ›SBA Veterans Advantage
Tips for Applying in Alaska
Increase your chances of approval with these state-specific tips.
- 1Register your business with the Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing through DCCED before applying for any state grant programs. An active Alaska business license is required for most applications.
- 2Contact the Alaska SBDC for free, confidential one-on-one advising before applying. SBDC advisors can help with business planning, financial projections, and connecting you with the right funding programs for your situation.
- 3For SSBCI loan programs, contact a participating lender directly rather than applying to the state. Review the SSBCI State and Tribal Participating Lender List on the Alaska SBDC website for current options.
- 4Prepare a detailed business plan with three-year financial projections. Most Alaska programs, including the Microenterprise Grant and Division of Investments loan programs, require profit and loss projections and cash flow statements.
- 5Do not build a plan around the state SBIR/STTR top up. DCCED closed it after the FY2025 round, whose deadline was 9 May 2025, and has published no round since. If you hold a federal SBIR or STTR award and want to know whether it is coming back, ask DCCED directly rather than waiting on the web page.
State Economic Development Agency
Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development (DCCED)
DCCED promotes economic growth, community development, and consumer protection in Alaska, overseeing grant programs, loan funds, and business licensing for small businesses statewide.
Funding While You Wait
Grant applications in Alaska can take weeks or months to process. These options can bridge the gap.
Grants in Other States
All state grant guidesFrequently Asked Questions
Yes, but only one of them is open. The Microenterprise Grant, run by the UAA Center for Human Development, pays $500 to $12,000 to Alaska Mental Health Trust beneficiaries starting, expanding or buying a very small business, and its autumn round closes at noon on 16 September 2026. The two other true grants this page used to point at are both shut. DCCED closed the Alaska SBIR/STTR Grant Program after the FY2025 round and has published nothing since, and the Division of Agriculture did not take part in the 2026 USDA Micro-Grants for Food Security cycle because administering it costs more than USDA allows for administration. The biggest funding source in Alaska, the State Small Business Credit Initiative, is loans and equity investment, not grants.
The State Small Business Credit Initiative, run through the Alaska SBDC, and it is a loan programme rather than a grant one. Alaska holds $59 million for the state programme and $83.1 million for a consortium of 125 Alaska Tribes, and as of August 2026 the SBDC reports the two together have backed 222 loans worth $229.0 million to 203 businesses. The loan totals run ahead of the allocation because SSBCI guarantees or takes part in a private lender loan rather than funding the whole of it. You do not apply to the state for this money, you approach a lender on the SSBCI participating lender list. For an actual grant, the Microenterprise Grant is the only state option currently accepting applications.
No. The SSBCI programmes give priority to businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, which the Alaska SBDC defines as owners who have had reduced access to credit compared with others in similar economic circumstances, and that status is established with the participating lender rather than through a certificate you obtain first. The Microenterprise Grant turns on being an Alaska Mental Health Trust beneficiary, not on minority or women owned status. If you are chasing state contracts rather than grants, certification is a separate question worth putting to the Alaska SBDC, whose advising is free.
For the Microenterprise Grant, it depends which round you land in. UAA reviews on a fixed schedule with an autumn deadline of noon on 16 September 2026 and a spring deadline of noon on 24 March 2027, so an application submitted just after a deadline waits for the next review rather than being read straight away. You may apply in more than one round, though $12,000 is the lifetime maximum across all of them. For SSBCI loans the timeline belongs to the lender you approach, not to the state, so ask the lender directly when you first make contact.
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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.
Sources & References
- Alaska DCCED - Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development
- Alaska SBDC - State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI)
- Alaska SBIR/STTR Grant Program - DCCED Division of Community and Regional Affairs
- UAA Microenterprise Grant - Center for Human Development
- Alaska SSBCI Programs Achieve Historic Impact in 2026 - University of Alaska
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