PRIME Instructions 2026-01.pdf

U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

ON GRANTS.GOV

INSTRUCTION PACKAGE & PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT

Program for Investment in Microentrepreneurs (PRIME)

Funding Opportunity Number: SB-OCAPR-26-001

Opening Date: July 13, 2026 Closing Date: August 12, 2026

IMPORTANT:

ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY via GRANTS.GOV.

If your organization hasn't already done so, it must register with Grants.gov before applying for this funding opportunity.

THE REGISTRATION PROCESS, WHICH MAY TAKE UP TO 1-2

WEEKS, MUST BE COMPLETED TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION

ELECTRONICALLY. IT IS STRONGLY SUGGESTED THAT YOU

START THE REGISTRATION PROCESS IMMEDIATELY.

If you experience any problems registering with Grants.gov, please call the Grants.gov Applicant Support Line at 1-800-518-4726 or email at support@grants.gov.

1. Registering with Grants.gov SBA requires the use of the Grants.gov website for submission of all grant application packages.

If your organization hasn't already done so, it must register with Grants.gov before it can apply for this funding opportunity.

Registration creates a profile of basic information about your organization including the staff members who are authorized to submit applications on its behalf. These steps take a number of days, so please don't wait until the last minute if you have a deadline approaching! If you have problems registering with Grants.gov, call the help desk at 1-800-518-4726.

The checklist below has been designed to help guide you through the Grants.gov registration process. Complete instructions for registering with Grants.gov are located at www.Grants.gov.

A glossary of terms and links to important online resources follow the checklist.

mailto:support@grants.gov http://www.grants.gov/

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO

1. Find your institution's UEI number

All institutions applying for federal grants are required to provide a UEI number. The federal government has adopted the use of UEI numbers to keep track of how federal grant money is dispersed.

Ask your grant administrator or chief financial officer to provide your institution's UEI number. Research universities and most colleges, independent libraries, and large organizations already have UEI numbers.

If your institution does not have a UEI number, call the special Dun & Bradstreet hotline at 1-866-705-5711 to receive one free of charge.

More information about UEI numbers is available at http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform.

TIME IT TAKES

1-2 business days

TIPS

Record and protect your UEI number and have it available for quick reference in the following steps.

2. Register your institution with System of Award

Management (SAM)

SAM is a government-wide registry for organizations that seek grants from or otherwise do business with the federal government. SAM will house your organizational information, allowing Grants.gov to verify your identity and to pre-fill organizational information on your grant applications. Ask your chief financial officer, grant administrator, or authorizing official if your organization is already registered with SAM.

Remember that registration with the System of Award

Management must be confirmed each year for your

Grants.gov registration to remain valid.

Entities registering in SAM must submit a notarized letter appointing their authorized Entity Administrator (SAM

POC). Read updated FAQs on SAM.gov to learn more about changes to the notarized letter review process and other system improvements.

If your organization is not registered, you can register online at https://sam.gov or apply by phone (1-888-227-2423).

When your organization registers with SAM, you must designate:

1) SAM Point of Contact (SAM POC). This individual is responsible for maintaining the accuracy and timeliness of the information in SAM's registry. Upon successful registration, SAM POC will receive a T-PIN (Trading Partner Identification Number) that will enable him or her to update your organization's SAM information as necessary.

Allow up to 10 business days after you submit your registration including the

Notarized letter for it to become active in SAM and an additional 24 hours before that registration information is available in other government systems.

The SAM site uses terminology that is more appropriate for profit-making organizations than for non-profits. Do not be confused by terms such as vendor, contractor, etc.; just provide the requested information.

Record and protect your T-PIN and M-PIN. Keep track of the staff designated as Points of Contact.

http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform https://www.gsa.gov/about-us/organization/federal-acquisition-service/office-of-systems-management/integrated-award-environment-iae/sam-update-updated-july-11-2018 https://sam.gov/SAM/

3. Register with Grants.gov

Finally, your organization's AOR(s) must register with Grants.gov.

Registration creates an account on Grants.gov that enables your organization to name and confirm authorization for one or more AORs and then allows the AOR(s) to submit applications on your organization's behalf.

When an AOR registers with Grants.gov, the Ebiz POC for your organization will receive an e-mail notification. Your Ebiz POC must then log on to Grants.gov (using the UEI number from Step 1 and the MPIN password from Step 2) and approve the AOR, thereby giving him or her permission to submit applications. When an Ebiz POC approves an AOR, Grants.gov will notify the AOR via e-mail.

Registration will be complete when the AOR submits his or her information. Registration approval depends on the time it takes your Ebiz POC to log on and approve the AOR.

AORs will receive usernames and passwords when they submit their information.

If you are uncertain about your organization's AORs, contact Grants.gov for assistance.

An organization does not need more than one AOR. While the AOR is the only individual who can submit applications, others (e.g. project director, development director, etc.) can work on the proposal prior to submission.

AOR User IDs and passwords should be protected and available for quick reference.

Glossary

Authorized Organization Representative (AOR): A person authorized by your E-Business POC to submit applications to Grants.gov.

UEI Number: UEI stands for "data universal numbering system." UEI numbers are issued by Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) and consist of nine digits. If your institution does not have one, call 1-866-705-5711 to receive one free of charge.

System for Award Management (SAM): Institutions receiving any type of award from the federal government must register with SAM.

Useful Links and Resources

UEI Number information: http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform

1. System for Award Management (SAM): https://sam.gov/SAM

2. If using IE, recipients must use an Internet Versions older than IE9 to access this website.

Register with Grants.gov: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html

Grants.gov website: www.Grants.gov

Grants.gov e-mail: support@Grants.gov

Grants.gov Support Line: 1-800-518-4726

E-Business Point of Contact (Ebiz POC): Person who will designate which staff members can submit applications through Grants.gov. When you register with CCR, your institution will be asked to designate an Ebiz POC.

http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform https://sam.gov/SAM https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html http://www.grantsolutions.gov/ mailto:support@Grants.gov

M-PIN: Password used by your Ebiz POC to designate which staff members can submit applications to Grants.gov.

System for Award Management (SAM): Institutions receiving any type of award from the federal government must register with SAM.

2. Accessing & Submitting Required Forms on GRANTS.GOV

This section provides the guidelines and instructions for the forms that are required for the grant program to which you are applying. These forms must be completed to submit your application.

They can be found on SBA’s web site www.sba.gov and on www.grants.gov. They should be downloaded onto the computer, saved as a file and submitted as an attachment.

Grants.gov Tip: As you complete each form on grants.gov, scroll to the bottom of each page to look for Save, Next or Submit commands.

To apply for this funding opportunity, the forms listed below must be submitted through Grants.gov:

SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance - this form asks for basic information about your organization. This form can be retrieved from www.grants.gov.

SF-424A, Budget Information - this form is the applicant's estimate of the total cost of performing the project or activity for the upcoming program year. This form can be retrieved from www.grants.gov. All proposed costs must be necessary to the project, reasonable and otherwise allowable under applicable cost principles and Agency policies.

SF-424B, Assurances - this form certifies that the organization will comply with all applicable requirements of the Federal laws, executive orders, regulations and policies governing the grant program. This form can be retrieved from www.grants.gov.

SBA Attachment Form - when you open the SBA Attachment Form, you will find 15 attachment buttons, labeled "Attachment 1" through "Attachment 15." By clicking on a button, you will be able to choose the file from your computer that you wish to attach.

Please attach the proper file to the proper button as listed below. Please note that additional documents can be put in a zip file and submitted as an attachment.

ATTACHMENT 1 - List of Attachments

Create a list outlining all attachments. This will assist SBA in verifying all attachments were received. Name this document: List of Attachments.

ATTACHMENT 2 - A-9 thru A-12 Budget Detail Worksheet, with narrative justification, for Twelve Month Budget Period

Name this document: A9-A12 Budget. This document can be retrieved from:

https://www.sba.gov/content/forms-9-through-12-budget-detail-worksheet http://www.sba.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ https://www.sba.gov/content/forms-9-through-12-budget-detail-worksheet

ATTACHMENT 3 - Certification and Documentation of Matching Funds

PRIME grants require Applicants to demonstrate a 50 percent match of non-Federal, non-borrowed funds. Provide a signed letter on company letterhead identifying the match source and amount and/or strategies for raising matching funds. Name this document:

Match Cert.

ATTACHMENT 4 - Technical Proposal

Attach all documents comprising your Technical Proposal, as outlined below. Name this document: Technical Proposal.

ATTACHMENT 5 - Copy of the Applicant’s Cost Policy Statement

The cost policy statement must describe all accounting policies and narrate in detail your proposed cost allocation plan. This plan must identify the procedures used to identify, measure, and allocate all costs to each benefiting activity. This policy should be signed by an authorized official. Name this document: Cost Policy.

https://www.hud.gov/sites/dfiles/OCHCO/documents/50153.pdf

ATTACHMENT 6 - Indirect Cost Rate Proposal from Cognizant Agency (if applicable) – Applicant must submit current approved rate

If the Applicant does not have such an agreement, it must propose an indirect cost rate in accordance with the procedures set forth in the applicable cost principles circular. Name this document: Indirect Cost Rate.

ATTACHMENT 7 – ACH Vendor Form

Name this document: ACH.

http://www.sba.gov/content/standard-form-3881-ach-vendormiscellaneous-payment-enrollment-form

ATTACHMENT 8 – SBA Form 1711, Certification Regarding Lobbying &

Disclosure of Lobbying Activities

Name this document: Form 1711.

http://www.sba.gov/content/sba-form-1711-certification-regarding-lobbying

If lobbying activities are identified, also complete SBA Form LLL.

ATTACHMENT 9 - SBA Form 1623, Debarment and Suspension

Name this document: Form 1623.

https://www.sba.gov/content/certification-regarding-debarment-suspension-and-other-responsibility-matters-primary-covered-transactions .

ATTACHMENT 10 - Drug-free Workplace Agreement

Name this document: Drug Free Cert.

https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/files/Certification%20Regarding%20Drug- Free%20Workplace%20Requirements.pdf

After you submit your electronic application to Grants.gov, you will be assigned a Grants.gov tracking number on the screen. It will also be e-mailed to your AOR.

For additional help on how to use Grants.gov, you can send an e-mail to the Grants.gov helpdesk at support@grants.gov or call 1-800-518-4726. You may find additional training at;

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/workspace-overview.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/workspace-overview/workspace-basic.html http://www.sba.gov/content/standard-form-3881-ach-vendormiscellaneous-payment-enrollment-form http://www.sba.gov/content/standard-form-3881-ach-vendormiscellaneous-payment-enrollment-form https://www.sba.gov/document/sba-form-1711-certification-regarding-lobbying https://www.sba.gov/content/certification-regarding-debarment-suspension-and-other-responsibility-matters-primary-covered-transactions https://www.sba.gov/content/certification-regarding-debarment-suspension-and-other-responsibility-matters-primary-covered-transactions https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/files/Certification%20Regarding%20Drug-Free%20Workplace%20Requirements.pdf https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/files/Certification%20Regarding%20Drug-Free%20Workplace%20Requirements.pdf mailto:support@grants.gov https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.grants.gov%2Fweb%2Fgrants%2Fapplicants%2Fworkspace-overview.html&data=02%7C01%7CJames.Webb%40sba.gov%7Cec282e82a90c4f7d75d908d69c2d4f15%7C3c89fd8a7f684667aa1541ebf2208961%7C1%7C0%7C636868115749514424&sdata=EVp6VD2LUf2En3GQmGvdS1smYv2972ACaMs6EC4X9VE%3D&reserved=0 https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.grants.gov%2Fweb%2Fgrants%2Fapplicants%2Fworkspace-overview%2Fworkspace-basic.html&data=02%7C01%7CJames.Webb%40sba.gov%7Cec282e82a90c4f7d75d908d69c2d4f15%7C3c89fd8a7f684667aa1541ebf2208961%7C1%7C0%7C636868115749524438&sdata=IWgD24lZ9Y%2Fz457X8iiVI%2BOEwS7aM11iCRePEjxadiQ%3D&reserved=0