The Small Business Funding Reality
Let's start with what's actually available. Funding Landscape currently tracks over 7,800 open opportunities specifically relevant to small businesses: approximately 7,500 procurement contracts (many with small business set-asides), 300+ grants, and various other programs including technical assistance, rebates, and forecasted opportunities. The landscape breaks into two main paths. Federal contracts represent the largest volume of small business opportunities, with billions in set-aside contracts reserved specifically for certified small businesses. Grants are fewer in number but can provide non-repayable funding for specific projects or purposes. A note on SBIR/STTR: These programs, which have historically been the primary federal grant vehicle for technology-focused small businesses, are currently in limbo. Congress has not reauthorized them since their expiration in October 2025. Some agencies continue accepting applications; others have paused. If SBIR is your target, check our separate SBIR status guide for the current state.
Small Business Set-Aside Contracts
The federal government sets goals for how much contracting dollars go to small businesses. To meet these goals, agencies "set aside" certain contracts exclusively for qualified small businesses. The main set-aside categories are: Small Business (general), 8(a) Business Development Program for socially and economically disadvantaged businesses, HUBZone for businesses in historically underutilized areas, SDVOSB for service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses, WOSB for women-owned small businesses, and EDWOSB for economically disadvantaged women-owned small businesses. If you hold one or more of these certifications, the set-aside market becomes significantly less competitive than open competition. On Funding Landscape, you can filter contracts by set-aside type to see only opportunities matching your certifications. Thousands of set-aside contracts are posted on SAM.gov at any time. These aren't token opportunities; they include substantial contracts for IT services, construction, professional consulting, manufacturing, and more.
Small Business Size Standards
To qualify as a "small business" for federal contracting, you must meet size standards based on your industry's NAICS code. Size is typically measured by either annual revenue or number of employees, depending on the industry. For example: a general contractor (NAICS 236220) is small if revenue is under $45 million. A software publisher (NAICS 511210) is small if under 1,250 employees. A restaurant (NAICS 722511) is small if under $16.5 million revenue. These thresholds vary widely. Before pursuing small business set-asides, verify your size status for each NAICS code you might bid under. The SBA maintains the official size standards table.
Grants Available to Small Businesses
While contracts dominate the small business federal funding landscape, grants exist for specific purposes. Research and development grants from agencies like NSF, DOE, DOD, and NIH fund technology development, though many are currently paused pending SBIR reauthorization. Check each agency's current status. State-level small business grants vary dramatically by location. Some states offer direct grants; others operate loan programs or incentive programs structured differently. Funding Landscape aggregates state opportunities alongside federal ones. Industry-specific grants exist in areas like clean energy, agriculture, and manufacturing. The Department of Energy, USDA, and various state programs offer grants for projects aligned with policy priorities. Economic development grants through programs like EDA target job creation and economic growth, often in partnership with local governments or development organizations.
Technical Assistance and Non-Cash Support
Not all small business support comes as direct funding. Several federal programs provide valuable non-cash assistance. Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) offer free consulting on business planning, government contracting, and growth strategies. APEX Accelerators (formerly PTACs) specialize in helping small businesses win government contracts, providing free counseling on registration, certification, and bid preparation. Mentor-Protege programs pair small businesses with larger firms for capacity building. SCORE provides volunteer mentor matching. Manufacturing Extension Partnerships (MEPs) help manufacturing businesses improve operations. These programs don't show up as "funding opportunities" but can be more valuable than grant dollars for businesses building government contracting capabilities.
How to Find Small Business Opportunities
On Funding Landscape, several search strategies work well for small businesses. Search by set-aside type: If you hold a certification, filter directly to that set-aside type to see only contracts you're specifically eligible for. Search by NAICS code: Enter your primary NAICS codes to find contracts in your industry. Combine with set-aside filters to narrow results. Search by keyword and filter to small business: Search for your specialty (e.g., "cybersecurity" or "construction") then filter to show only small business relevant results. Use the MCP integration: AI assistants can search with natural language like "find IT contracts set aside for 8(a) firms with deadlines in the next 30 days" and translate that to the right combination of filters. Set up saved searches: Once you find a search that works, save it. We'll alert you when new matching opportunities appear.
Getting Started Checklist
If you're new to government small business programs, here's where to start. Register in SAM.gov. This is required for any federal contracting and takes 2-4 weeks. Start now even if you're not ready to bid. Get your DUNS/UEI number. The Unique Entity Identifier replaced DUNS numbers and is required for SAM registration. Determine your NAICS codes. Your primary codes determine your size standard and which contracts you can bid on. Consider certifications. 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, and WOSB certifications open access to set-aside contracts. The application process takes time but the reduced competition is valuable. Find your local resources. APEX Accelerators and SBDCs provide free help navigating government contracting. Use them. Start searching. You don't need to wait until everything is perfect. Browse opportunities now to understand what's out there and what requirements you'll need to meet.