grants-for-small-business

Grants for California Small Businesses & Startups

Explore 456 active, human-verified grant opportunities tailored for small businesses, startups, LLCs, C corporations, S corporations, sole proprietors, and independent entrepreneurs operating in California. Filter funding sources across federal agencies, state economic development programs, SBIR/STTR research funding, and corporate growth initiatives, updated daily.

Recipient type
State / Region
Nationwide / International
Grant category
Funding source type

456 grants found

Opportunity for USA Individuals and Organizations to Address Issues with Gene Therapies

Deadline: 12/31/26

Opportunity for USA individuals, teams, organizations, institutions, and corporations to develop datasets that can be used to predict the toxicity of specific types of gene therapy. This challenge is intended to use advanced computational methods to develop new ap...

GrantWatch ID#: 225422

Grant to a USA, Canada, or International Entity for Bone Marrow Failure Research

Deadline: 11/04/26 LOI Date: 10/07/26

Grant to a USA, Canada, or International nonprofit or for-profit organization, IHE, public entity, or intramural organization for research related to bone marrow failure (BMF) diseases. Applicants must submit a letter of intent and complete the required registrati...

GrantWatch ID#: 230316
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Grants to USA Scientists at Eligible Organizations for Innovative Scientific Research

Deadline: 09/03/26

Grants to USA and territories scientists and teams of scientists affiliated with IHEs, nonprofit and for-profit organizations, government agencies, tribes, and school districts for innovative and unconventional scientific research. Applicants are advised that requ...

GrantWatch ID#: 157816

Grants to USA, Canada, and International Entities for Innovative Muscular Dystrophy Therapies

Deadline: 09/18/26 LOI Date: 09/04/26

Grants to USA, Canada, and International nonprofit and for-profit organizations, research institutes, and academic institutions for innovative studies and therapies for a specific type of muscular dystrophy. Applicants must submit a letter of intent and complete r...

GrantWatch ID#: 214803

Grants to USA, Canada, and International Entities for Muscular Dystrophy Translational Research

Deadline: 09/18/26 LOI Date: 09/04/26

Grants to USA, Canada, and International nonprofit and for-profit organizations, research institutes, and academic institutions for translational research for a specific type of muscular dystrophy. Applicants must submit a letter of intent and complete required re...

GrantWatch ID#: 214804

Grants to USA, Canada, and International Entities for Early-Career Parkinson's Research

Deadline: 11/06/26 LOI Date: 10/23/26

Grants to USA, Canada, and International nonprofit and for-profit organizations and public entities for early-career research projects related to Parkinson's disease. Applicants must submit a letter of intent and complete the required registrations prior to applyi...

GrantWatch ID#: 214923

Grants to USA, Canada, and International Entities for High-Impact Parkinson's Research

Deadline: 11/06/26 LOI Date: 10/23/26

Grants to USA, Canada, and International public entities and nonprofit and for-profit organizations for high-impact Parkinson's Disease research projects. Applicants must submit a letter of intent and complete the required registrations prior to applying. Funding ...

GrantWatch ID#: 214924

Grants to USA, Canada, and International Non and For-Profits and Agencies for High-Risk Rare C...

Deadline: 09/30/26 LOI Date: 09/16/26

Grants to USA, Canada, and International nonprofits, for-profits, public entities, intramural organizations, and IHEs for innovative, high-risk research related to rare cancers. Applicants must submit a letter of intent and complete the required registrations prio...

GrantWatch ID#: 214957

Grants to USA, Canada, and International Entities for Kidney Cancer Researcher Mentorship

Deadline: 09/28/26 LOI Date: 09/14/26

Grants to USA, Canada, and International nonprofit and for-profit organizations and public entities for mentorship opportunities for early-career kidney cancer researchers. Applicants must submit a letter of intent and complete required registrations prior to subm...

GrantWatch ID#: 215764

Grants to USA, Canada, and International Entities for Innovative Kidney Cancer Research

Deadline: 09/28/26 LOI Date: 09/14/26

Grants to USA, Canada, and International nonprofit and for-profit organizations and public entities for innovative kidney cancer research ideas. Applicants must submit a letter of intent and complete required registrations prior to submitting a full application. F...

GrantWatch ID#: 215767

Grants to California Ranchers, Farmers, and Tribes for Initiatives to Improve Dairy Farms

Deadline: 09/14/26

Grants to California ranchers, farmers, and Tribes for initiatives to improve dairy farms. Funding is intended to address the farm's management of manure. The goal of the program is to manage levels of salt and nitrogen, reduce overall emissions of methane, and ad...

GrantWatch ID#: 230407

Grants to USA, Canada, and International Entities to Encourage Emerging NF and Schwannomatosis...

Deadline: 09/22/26 LOI Date: 09/08/26

Grants to USA, Canada, and International nonprofit and for-profit organizations, and government agencies to encourage emerging scholars to pursue research in neurofibromatosis and schwannomatosis. Applicants must submit a letter of intent and complete the required...

GrantWatch ID#: 230533

Grants to USA, Canada, and International Nonprofits, For-Profits, and Agencies for Neurofibrom...

Deadline: 09/22/26 LOI Date: 09/08/26

Grants to USA, Canada, and International nonprofit and for-profit organizations, and government agencies for innovative research in neurofibromatosis and schwannomatosis. Applicants must submit a letter of intent and complete the required registrations prior to ap...

GrantWatch ID#: 230534

Grants to USA, Canada, and International Nonprofits, For-Profits, and Agencies for Overlooked ...

Deadline: 09/22/26 LOI Date: 09/08/26

Grants to USA, Canada, and International nonprofit and for-profit organizations, and government agencies for high-impact research that will foster new directions for and address overlooked issues in neurofibromatosis research. Applicants must submit a letter of in...

GrantWatch ID#: 230536

Grants to USA, Canada, and International Nonprofits, For-Profits, and Agencies for Collaborati...

Deadline: 09/22/26 LOI Date: 09/08/26

Grants to USA, Canada, and International nonprofit and for-profit organizations, and government agencies for collaborative neurofibromatosis research. Applicants must submit a letter of intent and complete the required registrations prior to applying. Applications...

GrantWatch ID#: 230537

Grants to USA, Canada, and International Organizations to Improve Navy Electrical Systems

Deadline: 09/25/26

Grants to USA, Canada, and International nonprofit and for-profit organizations and research institutions to improve Navy electrical systems. Applicants are advised to complete required registrations prior to submitting an application. The purpose of funding is to...

GrantWatch ID#: 230254

Competition for USA Entities for Innovative Solutions to Prevent Workplace Electrocution

Deadline: 09/24/26 LOI Date: 09/01/26

Opportunity for USA and territories nonprofit organizations, academic institutions, PreK-12 schools, for-profit entities, and tribes to participate in a competition to present innovative solutions that mitigate fatal electrocutions in the workplace. Competitors mu...

GrantWatch ID#: 230260

Grants to USA, Canada, and International Entities for Research on Technologies to Treat Neurol...

Deadline: 09/28/26

Grants to USA, Canada, and International nonprofit organizations, IHEs, government agencies, for-profits, school districts, and Tribal organizations for research to develop technologies to treat neurological disorders. Applicants are advised that the required regi...

GrantWatch ID#: 217704

Cooperative Agreements to USA Nonprofits, Agencies, Tribes, IHEs, and For-Profits for Translat...

Deadline: 09/28/26

Cooperative agreements to USA nonprofit organizations, government agencies, tribes, IHEs, and for-profits for translational and clinical brain research. Applicants are advised that the required registrations must be completed prior to applying. Funding is intended...

GrantWatch ID#: 217734

Cooperative Agreements to USA Agencies, For-Profits, IHEs, Tribes, and Nonprofits for Brain Re...

Deadline: 09/28/26

Cooperative agreements to USA government agencies, for-profits, IHEs, tribes, and nonprofit organizations for brain research. Applicants are advised that the required registrations must be completed prior to applying. Funding is intended for clinical studies for d...

GrantWatch ID#: 217735

Grants to USA, Canada, and International Nonprofits, For-Profits, and IHEs for Navy Communicat...

Deadline: 11/16/26

Grants to USA, Canada, and International nonprofit and for-profit organizations, research institutions, and IHEs to improve Navy communications interoperability. Applicants are advised to complete required registrations prior to submitting an application. The purp...

GrantWatch ID#: 230253

Grants to USA Nonprofits and For-Profits for Tech Innovations for the Fishing Industry

Deadline: 09/23/26

Grants to USA nonprofit and for-profit organizations, government agencies, tribes, fisheries, and educational institutions to implement and improve technological innovations in the fishing industry. The purpose of the funding is to expand the use and upgrade the l...

GrantWatch ID#: 169902

Prizes to USA Entrepreneurs, Businesses, and IHEs to Advance Energy Storage Technologies

Deadline: 10/08/26

Prizes to USA individuals, startups, entrepreneurs, businesses, and IHEs to advance energy storage technologies. The prize is intended to mitigate supply chain issues within the early stage of development of energy storage. The goal of the program is to accelerate...

GrantWatch ID#: 231009

Grants to USA Nonprofits, For-Profits, and Agencies for Research Organizational Capacity

Deadline: 01/11/27 LOI Date: 10/01/26

Grants to USA nonprofit and for-profit organizations, IHE hospitals, and government agencies for programs to develop organizational capacity to conduct research. Applicants must submit a letter of intent prior to submitting a full application. The purpose of the p...

GrantWatch ID#: 204944

Grants to USA Organizations and Agencies to Research Medical Research Partner Engagement

Deadline: 01/12/27 LOI Date: 09/09/26

Grants to USA nonprofit and for-profit organizations, agencies, and IHEs for research projects focused on the engagement of partners in medical research. Applicants must submit a letter of intent prior to submitting a full application. This opportunity is focused ...

GrantWatch ID#: 207669

Opportunity for USA Nonprofits and For-Profits to Create a Digital Military Training Program

Deadline: 11/11/26 LOI Date: 09/30/26

Opportunity for USA nonprofit and for-profit organizations to compete in a contest to create a fully digital military training program. Applicants are required to submit a preliminary application and complete required registrations prior to a full grant applicatio...

GrantWatch ID#: 230481

Grants to USA, Canada, and International Entities for Micronutrient Research

Deadline: 09/08/26

Grants to USA, Canada, and International nonprofit organizations, for-profit companies, government agencies, and academic institutions for micronutrient research. Funding is intended for introducing novel binding molecules, measuring vitamin nutritional status usi...

GrantWatch ID#: 231583

Grants to USA Entities for Patient-Focused Research on Diseases And/Or Disabilities

Deadline: 01/12/27 LOI Date: 09/09/26

Grants to USA research entities, including agencies, nonprofit organizations, for-profit organizations, and IHEs, for research projects focused on people with rare diseases and/or developmental and intellectual disabilities. Applicants must submit a letter of inqu...

GrantWatch ID#: 228514

Grants to USA Nonprofits, For-Profits, IHEs, and Agencies for Health-Related Research

Deadline: 01/12/27 LOI Date: 09/09/26

Grants to USA nonprofit and for-profit organizations, IHEs, and government agencies for research projects on a wide range of health-related topics. Special emphasis is placed on studies related to diabetes, neuropathic pain, dementia and IDD, mental health in preg...

GrantWatch ID#: 201364

Grants to USA Entities for Research on the Effectiveness of SUD Treatment Programs

Deadline: 01/12/27 LOI Date: 09/09/26

Grants to USA government agencies, for-profit and nonprofit organizations, and institutions of higher education for research related to the effectiveness of substance use disorder treatment programs. Applicants must submit an LOI prior to applying. Priority focus ...

GrantWatch ID#: 214408

Grants to USA Entities for Initiatives to Benefit Eligible California Communities

Deadline: 10/09/26 LOI Date: 09/11/26

Grants to USA and territories nonprofit organizations, IHEs, government entities, tribes, and for-profit organizations for initiatives to benefit eligible regions in California. Applicants must complete registrations before applying. Funding is intended for bold i...

GrantWatch ID#: 231944

Grants to USA Agencies, Nonprofits, and IHEs to Improve Clinical Effectiveness Research

Deadline: 01/12/27 LOI Date: 09/09/26

Grants to USA government agencies, nonprofit and for-profit research organizations, and institutions of higher education for research projects related to improving clinical effectiveness research. Applicants must submit a letter of intent prior to submitting a ful...

GrantWatch ID#: 212662

Grants to California Nonprofits, For-Profits, IHEs, and Tribes to Increase the EV Sector Workf...

Deadline: 10/30/26

Grants to California CBOs, nonprofit and for-profit organizations, NGOs, IHEs, Tribes, and workforce development boards to increase the state's workforce in the electric vehicle sector. Funding is intended for training programs to expand the expertise of technicia...

GrantWatch ID#: 231924

Opportunity to USA Eligible Female Business Founders to Participate in a Pitch Competition

Deadline: 09/23/26

Opportunity to USA eligible female business founders to participate in a pitch competition. Winners of the pitch competition will receive cash prizes and a range of in-kind support. The following industries will be eligible to participate: consumer products, beaut...

GrantWatch ID#: 216912

Contracts to USA Academics, Industries, and Researchers to Benefit the Defense Industry

Deadline: 09/14/26

Contracts for services to USA and territories academics, industries, researchers, and for-profits to increase manufacturing capability for the defense industry. Applicants are advised that the required registrations must be completed prior to applying. The goal of...

GrantWatch ID#: 231709

Grants to California Nonprofits, Agencies, and Tribes to Enhance Community Facilities

Deadline: 09/25/26

Grants to California nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and Tribes to construct and upgrade community facilities. The purpose of the program is to build resilience against natural disasters and emergency situations. Projects should balance both shorter-...

GrantWatch ID#: 207561

Grants to USA Agricultural Producers for Projects to Advance Sustainable Agriculture

Deadline: 10/28/26

Grants of up to $35,000 to USA agricultural producers collaborating with a technical advisor in multiple states and territories to benefit the agriculture industry. Funding is intended to support projects that promote sustainable agriculture. With the support and ...

GrantWatch ID#: 158702

Grants to USA Agricultural Professionals for Training in Agriculture Sustainability

Deadline: 10/28/26

Grants to USA agricultural professionals in multiple states and territories for professional training related to sustainability in agriculture. Funding is intended to support programs that educate these professionals so that they will be able to conduct training p...

GrantWatch ID#: 176395

Cooperative Agreements to USA Entities for Projects Related to Plant Diseases and Pests

Deadline: 09/21/26

Cooperative agreements to USA government agencies, Tribes, nonprofit and for-profit organizations, and IHEs for projects related to plant diseases and pests. Funding is intended to protect agriculture across the nation by addressing and mitigating diseases and pes...

GrantWatch ID#: 215110

Grants to USA IHEs, Nonprofits, and For-Profits for Research Utilizing Satellite Data

Deadline: 10/15/26

Grants to USA IHEs and nonprofit and for-profit entities for projects to increase the use of satellites in making measurements to solve critical issues. Applicants are advised that required registrations may take several weeks to complete. Funding is intended to u...

GrantWatch ID#: 231678

Loan Guarantees to USA Banks, Tribes, Credit Unions, and Cooperatives to Support Eligible Indu...

Deadline: 10/01/26 LOI Date: 09/01/26

Loan guarantees to USA and territories banks, tribes, credit unions, and cooperatives to support the renewable chemicals and biobased product manufacturing industries. Applicants are required to submit an intent to apply and ensure that required registrations are ...

GrantWatch ID#: 207938
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Grants to USA Publishers and Translators for English Translations of French Literature

Deadline: 09/01/26

Grants of up to $7,000 to USA publishers, authors, and translators to recognize quality English translations of contemporary French literature. Funding is intended to cover publishing and translation expenses for fiction, nonfiction, comics, poetry, and children's...

GrantWatch ID#: 218743
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Grants to USA Publishers to Obtain the Rights to Publish French Works in the US

Deadline: 09/01/26

Grants of up to €5,000 to USA publishers to obtain the rights to publish French works in the US. Publishers can seek the rights to French non-fiction, children's literature, comic works, and fiction for translation into English. Preference will be shown for publ...

GrantWatch ID#: 221369
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Grants to California Nonprofits, Agencies, IHEs, and Businesses for Sustainable Pest Managemen...

Deadline: 09/01/26

Grants to California nonprofit organizations, government and tribal entities, IHEs, businesses, consultants, and commodity groups for projects to promote sustainable practices in managing pests. The purpose of the program is to protect the environment and human he...

GrantWatch ID#: 223424
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Grants to USA IHEs, Nonprofits, For-Profits, and Agencies for Open-Source Research Products

Deadline: 09/01/26

Grants to USA IHEs, nonprofit and for-profit organizations, agencies, and tribal nations for open-source research products. Applicants are advised that required registrations may take several weeks to complete. Funding is intended to support organizations in facil...

GrantWatch ID#: 225378
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Grants to USA Nonprofits, For-Profits, IHEs, Agencies, and Tribes to Plan and Establish Open S...

Deadline: 09/01/26

Grants to USA nonprofit organizations, for-profits, IHEs, government agencies, and Tribes for projects to plan and establish open source ecosystems. Applicants are advised that the required registrations must be completed prior to applying. The program supports th...

GrantWatch ID#: 227538
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Grants to USA Minority Businesses and Entrepreneurs for Business Growth and Expansion

Deadline: 09/01/26

Grants of up to $1,500 to USA minority-owned early-stage businesses and minority entrepreneurs for business growth and expansion. Funding is intended for seed funding to pursue growth opportunities, cover essential expenses, and gain stability during challenging t...

GrantWatch ID#: 228639
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Grants to USA IHEs, For-Profits, and Institutions for Projects Addressing Cervical Cancer

Deadline: 09/01/26

Grants to USA IHEs, medical education companies, and healthcare institutions for educational projects addressing cervical cancer. Initiatives are expected to target community pharmacists, gynecologic oncologists, nurses, medical oncologists, nurse practitioners, a...

GrantWatch ID#: 230675

Grants to California Nonprofits and For-Profits to Encourage Healthcare Careers

Deadline: 10/16/26

Grants of up to $25,000 to California public and private nonprofit organizations and private for-profit organizations for activities that encourage underrepresented students to pursue careers in health care. Funding is intended to support health career workshops a...

GrantWatch ID#: 140297

Grants to USA, Canada, and International Entities to Produce Low-Cost Genomics Tests

Deadline: 09/29/26

Grants to USA, Canada, and International research institutes, for-profit organizations, agencies, and academic institutions for producing low-cost genomics testing for underserved countries. Funding is intended for early-stage concepts, mid-stage development, and ...

GrantWatch ID#: 232254
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Navigating Small Business & Entrepreneur Funding

Unlike loans, business grants provide non-dilutive capital that does not need to be repaid. Funding sources range from federal innovation programs to private corporate initiatives supporting women-owned, minority-owned, and veteran-owned small businesses. GrantWatch is a full grant lifecycle platform, supporting every stage from prospecting through post-award reporting, with the Grant Prospecting Dashboard and Grant Funding Pipeline to track opportunities, GrantWatch Intelligence™ to uncover best-fit funders faster, and the AI Grant Writing Tool to accelerate proposal development.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a cost to search or apply for grants on GrantWatch?

A free GrantWatch account includes newsletter updates, access to grant listings, and light use of the Grant Prospecting Dashboard, Grant Funding Pipeline, Claim Your Profile, and AI Grant Writing Tool features. To fully search, filter, and track grants as a serious grant seeker, a MemberPlus+ subscription is required. GrantWatch does not charge a fee to apply for a grant directly with a funding source, and never requires payment in exchange for a guaranteed award.

Do small businesses and LLCs actually qualify for grants?

Yes. Thousands of federal, state, and corporate grant programs specifically fund for-profit small businesses, technology startups, agricultural operations, and local service providers.

Are there grants available for new startup businesses?

Yes. Startup grants are available through state economic development agencies, business incubators, corporate pitch competitions, and federal research initiatives.

What is the difference between a small business grant and a loan?

Grants provide equity-free, non-repayable capital meant for business development, hiring, R&D, or expansion. Loans require full repayment with interest.

Are there specific grants for women, minority, or veteran business owners?

Yes. Corporations and government agencies regularly launch dedicated grant initiatives aimed at supporting diverse founders and veterans.

How often is the GrantWatch grant database updated?

GrantWatch's research team human-verifies and updates listings daily, with over a thousand new grant opportunities added each week. Deadlines, eligibility rules, and award amounts are checked regularly to keep the database accurate.