SBA WBC Modernization Initiative FY26
Closed Posted
- Opportunity number
- SB-OEDWB-26-002
- Applications due
- Award size
- $250,000 to $2,084,765
Opportunity facts
- Assistance listings
- Funding instrument
- Cooperative Agreement
- Category
-
- Business and Commerce
- Eligible applicants
-
- 501(c)(3) Nonprofits
- Points of contact
-
- <Unknown> support@grants.gov (800) 518-4726
- Full announcement
Opportunity details come from Grants.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The Small Business Administration is seeking applicants to establish Women's Business Centers under a modernized Lead Center Model with supporting Service Centers across eight states and territories, with applications due August 10, 2026 at 11:59:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Competition is limited to private 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations located in Florida, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virgin Islands, West Virginia, or Wyoming, and selected awardees must reside in the state or territory they will serve as Lead Center.
The SBA expects to make up to eight awards using a population-based funding formula, with award amounts ranging from $200,000 to $2,084,765 depending on the jurisdiction. The cooperative agreement carries a five-year project period consisting of a 12-month base period and four optional 12-month continuation periods at the SBA's discretion, with project start date September 30, 2026. Non-federal matching requirements are 1:2 for the base period and first option year, and 1:1 for the subsequent three years; however, the Virgin Islands qualifies for a match waiver under U.S. Code Title 48.
Eligible applicants must have experience providing technical and entrepreneurial development services to small business concerns and entrepreneurs. Organizations that have operated an SBA-funded WBC within the past five years will be designated as an Initial Phase Project. Selected awardees must establish integrated service delivery ensuring comprehensive coverage aligned with local entrepreneur needs, including counseling, training, access to capital, and job support services. The technical proposal is evaluated on four criteria: Project Description (50 points), Applicant Capability and Network Management (25 points), Data Collection and Program Evaluation (20 points), and Financial and Administrative Capacity (5 points). Recipients must report quarterly performance metrics through the SBA's Nexus data management system and submit semi-annual narrative and quarterly financial reports (SF-425). The Assistance Listing number is 59.043.
Synopsis
The purpose of this Notice of Funding Opportunity is to invite proposals for funding to establish a Women's Business Centers (WBCs) modernization and alignment initiative. This initiative will establish a Lead Center Model, supported by a network of Service Centers, to deliver coordinated, statewide or territory-wide business services. To support a more evenly distributed funding allocation by population, this competition is limited to applicants in the following states: Florida, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virgin Islands, West Virgina, and Wyoming. Selected awardees must reside in the state in which it will serve as a Lead Center. Selected awardees will be responsible for designing and executing an integrated service delivery approach that ensures comprehensive coverage and aligns resources with the needs of the local entrepreneurs.
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| Instructional Page - WBC Modernization and Alignment Notice of Funding Opportunity FY2026.docx | DOCX document | |
| SBA WBC Modernization Initiative Notice of Funding Opportunity Announcement .docx | DOCX document |
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