Small Business Grants in New York
One form is the New York gate. The Consolidated Funding Application pools money from eight state agencies, including the $60 million Regional Council Capital Fund.
One form is the New York gate. The Consolidated Funding Application pools money from eight state agencies, including the $60 million Regional Council Capital Fund. That form shut for the scored 2026 round at 4pm on 31 July. Of the nine state programmes below, six pay municipalities or regional councils rather than businesses, so a founder looking for money today is really looking at the Global NY export grant.
Which New York grants fit your business?
Answer 7 quick questions and we sort the 13 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 York Small Business Grant Programs
State-administered funding programs available to New York small businesses. Verify deadlines directly with the granting agency before applying.
ACHIEVE Competition (Advancing Collaboration for High-impact Initiatives for Economic Visions & Expansion)
Empire State Development
Up to $50 million per region, or $75 million for a joint bid
No published deadline, councils file with their annual reportsA $150 million competition for New York's Regional Economic Development Councils. Councils bid for regional projects, and the strongest proposals take up to $50 million each. Two or more councils can join forces for up to $75 million. The four 2025 winners cannot enter the 2026 round. A business cannot apply.
Apply / Learn MoreFAST NY Shovel-Ready Grant Program
Empire State Development
Up to $400M total, pre-development grants up to $500,000 per site
RollingGrants for pre-development activities and infrastructure investments to develop sites that attract high-tech manufacturing, clean energy, life sciences, and other advanced industries. Over $326 million has been awarded to 39 sites to date.
Apply / Learn MoreNYSTAR Innovation Matching Grants Program
Empire State Development (NYSTAR)
Up to $100,000 Phase I or $200,000 Phase II, capped at half your federal award
Deadline Oct 8, 2026Matching grants for New York-based small businesses with active SBIR/STTR federal awards. Funds can be used for business planning, commercialization, patents, and marketing to accelerate the path from research to market.
Global NY Fund Grant Program
Empire State Development
Up to $25,000
RollingGrants of up to $25,000 (covering up to 50% of project costs) to help New York businesses start exporting or expand their global sales. Average processing time is 90 days.
Apply / Learn MoreMWBE Business Growth Accelerator Program (BGA 3.0)
Empire State Development (DMWBD)
No funding, an 18 month training and matchmaking programme
RollingIntensive technical assistance and business development training for certified MWBEs. BGA 3.0 serves 200 MWBEs statewide with training in procurement, financial management, mentorship, and networking to help secure public and private contracts.
Regional Council Capital Fund (CFA)
Empire State Development
$60M total pool
Deadline Jul 31, 2026Capital grant funding for economic development projects intended to create or retain jobs and increase business activity. Accessed through the Consolidated Funding Application, which includes 20+ programs from eight state agencies.
View program pageDowntown Revitalization Initiative (DRI)
NYS Department of State / Empire State Development
$100 million across 10 communities, $10 million each
Round 9 awarded, no Round 10 dates publishedNew York's downtown revitalization programme, $10 million to one community per region each round. A business cannot apply. Communities apply to their regional council, the council nominates one, and the state picks. Round 9 has been awarded and no Round 10 dates are published.
View program pageRestore New York Communities Initiative
Empire State Development
$1M - $5M per project (varies by municipality size)
Deadline Dec 20, 2024Grants for municipalities to demolish, rehabilitate, and restore blighted structures into vibrant residential, commercial, and mixed-use developments. Recent rounds have ranged from $50 million to $60 million in total funding.
View program pageNeighborhood Business Grant (CitizensNYC)
CitizensNYC (Citizens Committee for New York City)
Up to $5,000
Deadline Jul 27, 2026Microgrants up to $5,000 from CitizensNYC for community minded NYC businesses. Two cycles a year, you need 2 plus years operating, 10 or fewer employees, and proof like bank or POS statements.
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 New York grant programs expect these basics to be in place.
Form your business entity
Most New York 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 York.
Women-owned Business Grants
New York backs women-owned firms well. The MWBE program is the door. Certified WBEs win state contracts, join the Business Growth Accelerator, and reach lending run by Empire State Development.
- ›MWBE Business Growth Accelerator Program
- ›Division of Minority and Women's Business Development
Minority-owned Business Grants
New York leads the nation here. MWBE use hit 31.86 percent in fiscal year 2024-25. That was its fifth straight year past the 30 percent goal. Certified firms reach dedicated lending, the BGA accelerator, the MWBE Regional Opportunities Expo, and first look at state contracts.
- ›MWBE Business Growth Accelerator Program
- ›MWBE Certification Program
- ›Division of Minority and Women's Business Development
Veteran-owned Business Grants
Veterans get their own track. Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned firms can earn state certification through Empire State Development. That opens SDVOB goals on state-funded work and a path to contracts.
- ›Division of Service-Disabled Veterans' Business Development
- ›Empire State Development
Technology/Innovation Business Grants
Tech startups have two clear options. The NYSTAR Innovation Matching Grants Program tops up federal SBIR and STTR awards, but only in a one week window each October and April. NY Ventures, part of Empire State Development, puts capital into early-stage tech.
- ›NYSTAR Innovation Matching Grants Program
- ›NY Ventures
- ›SBIR/STTR
Rural Business Grants
Rural New York is not left out. FAST NY preps shovel-ready sites. The NY Forward program gives $4.5 million to smaller downtowns. USDA Rural Business Development Grants add one more route, though only for towns, tribes and non profits, never the business itself.
- ›FAST NY
- ›NY Forward Program
Tips for Applying in New York
Increase your chances of approval with these state-specific tips.
- 1Start at the CFA portal. Use apps.cio.ny.gov for most state-funded programs. The main CFA deadline lands in late July. Open enrollment programs take applications all year.
- 2Set up your accounts first. Register with the New York State Department of State. Get your NY.gov Business Account before you apply.
- 3Get certified if you qualify. Minority, women, and veteran-owned firms should seek NYS MWBE or SDVOB status first. It opens dedicated programs, contracting goals, and the Business Growth Accelerator.
- 4Show up to REDC workshops. Your Regional Economic Development Council runs sessions on the CFA. They help match your project to regional priorities, and that shapes your score.
- 5Give it time. The Global NY Fund can take 90 days. Have your financials, business plan, and proof of New York operations ready before you file.
State Economic Development Agency
Empire State Development
Empire State Development is the state's lead agency. It helps firms grow and hire. It works through grants, loans, tax credits, and direct help across New York.
Funding While You Wait
Grant applications in New York can take weeks or months to process. These options can bridge the gap.
Grants in Other States
All state grant guidesFrequently Asked Questions
Yes, though fewer than the page suggests at a glance. The Global NY Fund pays back up to $25,000 of export costs and a single business applies for it directly. The NYSTAR Innovation Matching Grants Program tops up a federal SBIR or STTR award you already hold. CitizensNYC gives New York City firms up to $5,000. Most of the rest of this page pays municipalities and regional councils.
Global NY. It takes applications continuously and turns them round in about 90 days. The NYSTAR match is shut until its next window, which opens at 9am on the second Wednesday of October and runs one week. CitizensNYC closed its second cycle on 27 July and has not posted the next opening. The Consolidated Funding Application closed for the scored 2026 round on 31 July.
No, you do not. Most New York programmes are open to any eligible business. Certification still pays off. It opens the MWBE Business Growth Accelerator, dedicated lending and state contracting goals. New York leads the country on MWBE contracting, so the edge is real. Be clear that the Accelerator itself pays no money. It is 18 months of training and matchmaking.
It depends on the programme. Global NY runs about 90 days from application to decision, and you cannot incur any cost before you get the award letter. CFA programmes name winners in the autumn, after the July deadline. MWBE certification itself takes roughly 90 days. Site based programmes like FAST NY can run several months.
Because most of the state's grant money is not aimed at businesses. ACHIEVE is a competition between Regional Economic Development Councils. The Downtown Revitalization Initiative and Restore New York pay municipalities. FAST NY funds municipalities and the entities they designate. We list them because searchers look for them by name, and we say plainly who can apply so nobody wastes a week on the wrong form.
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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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