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, and value added agriculture projects only 25 percent. The money arrives as reimbursement. DED pays back 66 percent of project costs, or 80 percent for value added agriculture. You need fewer than 500 employees and a non retail primary 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, matching awards in Phases I and II
Deadline Jun 30, 2027Nebraska matches federal SBIR and STTR awards. Phase 0 reimburses up to $5,000 of what it costs you to prepare the federal application. That is the part most founders never budget for. Phases I and II add state matching money once a federal award lands. You must be a for profit small business doing at least 51 percent of the proposed work in Nebraska. DED may award up to $6 million a year, subject to demand and budget.
CDBG Economic Development Program
Nebraska Department of Economic Development, Community Development Division
$125,000–$1,015,000
Rolling, no close date postedCDBG money goes to businesses 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. Awards run from $125,000 to $1,015,000. Matching funds are required. A State Revolving Loan Fund sits alongside the grant, so read the listing before you assume the money is a grant.
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. The focus is housing, childcare capacity and attracting industrial investment. Each of the six regions gets a paid full time Navigator. There is no form to fill in. A business engages by talking to its regional Navigator. It sits here as context, not as money you can apply for.
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.
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, the Academic R and D grants and microenterprise support. Apply to those instead. DED runs them on a fiscal year, July 1 to June 30, or until the money is gone. It is listed here because founders search the Act by name and then find no form to fill in.
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
RollingNebraska's main business tax incentive. It offers investment credits, wage credits and sales and use tax refunds to businesses that expand here or move here. It is not cash. Credits pay back against tax you owe, so a business with no Nebraska tax liability gets nothing. Hiring and investment thresholds apply. Check those first.
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 commitment to build apprenticeship capacity in Nebraska's community colleges. The target is 6,000 new apprenticeships by 2030. The money goes to the colleges. An employer partners with a local college instead of applying for a grant. Treat it as a training route, not as funding you can win.
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 reimburses Nebraska exporters 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 for a 25 percent match, so $10,000 of costs needs $2,500 of your own. You must be headquartered in Nebraska and in business at least a year. Your product needs 51 percent US content, or you sell an exportable service.
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 Community Housing Development Organizations running housing projects. Two tracks exist, one for project activity and one for operating expenses. Businesses cannot apply. It is here because the 2026 window shows up in Nebraska grant searches and founders keep landing on it.
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 the CDBG Economic Development program and the 6 Regions One Nebraska initiative. A local government applies for both, not you. The ImagiNE Nebraska Act raises its credits for projects in distressed and rural areas. Ask your regional navigator first.
- ›CDBG Economic Development Program
- ›6 Regions One Nebraska (6R1N)
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 reimburses federal application costs and 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 and STTR Matching Grant
- ›Nebraska Academic Research and Development Grants
Women-owned Business Grants
Nebraska's MWBE program runs through the Department of Economic Development. Certification comes from the Department of Administrative Services, and your business has to be at least 51 percent owned by women. Start with the certification. GROW Nebraska also runs the state's Women's Business Center.
- ›Nebraska MWBE Programs
- ›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 ownership of at least 51 percent. Do that before you chase a named program, because certification is what unlocks the MWBE set aside rather than the grants themselves.
- ›Nebraska MWBE Programs
- ›Nebraska Department of Administrative Services
Tips for Applying in Nebraska
Increase your chances of approval with these state-specific tips.
- 1Register on AmpliFund (ne.amplifund.com), Nebraska's official grant management system, before starting any state application. All DED grant applications run through that platform.
- 2CDBG Economic Development runs through a local unit of government, not you. Call your county or city economic development office first. Their timetable becomes yours.
- 3Check the LMI requirement carefully. Most CDBG funded programs require that the jobs created principally benefit low and moderate income employees. That test is applied after the award too, not just before it.
- 4The Business Innovation Act is not an application in itself. Apply to those. It funds the Prototype, Seed, SBIR and STTR, Academic R and D and microenterprise programs, and each has its own AmpliFund listing.
- 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 programs are taking applications now, all of them through the Department of Economic Development. Prototype grants pay up to $150,000 toward developing a product. The SBIR and STTR match reimburses up to $5,000 of what it costs to prepare a federal application. State money follows if the federal award lands. Academic research grants reach $400,000 in Phase II. Export costs come back through STEP. Every one of them requires matching funds from you.
The Prototype Grant is the one most Nebraska businesses can actually 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 $1,015,000, but a local government has to apply for it rather than you. That is the catch.
No, not for the main programs. Ordinary eligibility applies. The Prototype Grant, the SBIR and STTR match and the ImagiNE Nebraska Act all run on it. Certification only matters for Nebraska's MWBE specific opportunities, which go through the Department of Administrative Services. Your business has to be at least 51 percent owned by women or by minority owners to qualify for that route.
Processing times vary by program. CDBG Economic Development grants run a multi-step review. Your local government has to be in it too, and that can add months between application and award. For the ImagiNE Nebraska Act, credits can be claimed once your business hits the required job creation and investment levels. Register on AmpliFund early and have your documents ready, because the platform account is a common source of delay.
Was this article helpful?
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.
Questions about Nebraska small business grants
No comments yet. Ask the first question and a member of our team will answer.
Leave a comment