Are There Federal Grants for Women-Owned Businesses in 2026?

Not in the way most people hope. There is no federal grant program that gives women-owned businesses free money to start or grow, and SBA says it does not give grants for starting or expanding any business. The real federal help for women owners is set-aside contracts through the WOSB program, free counseling at Women's Business Centers, SBA-backed loans, and research grants like SBIR that are open to any qualifying…

5%The federal government aims to award 5% of federal prime contracting dollars to women-owned small businesses.
51%To join WOSB, a business must be small and at least 51% owned and controlled by women who are U.
$850,000A tighter tier, EDWOSB, is for women owners with personal net worth under $850,000 and average adjusted gross income of $400,000 or less.
$400,000A tighter tier, EDWOSB, is for women owners with personal net worth under $850,000 and average adjusted gross income of $400,000 or less.

Search for women-owned business grants and you will find long lists. Most of the money on those lists comes from private companies, nonprofits, or state and local programs, not the federal government. SBA states plainly that it does not provide grants for starting and expanding a business. Its grants go to nonprofits, resource partners and schools that offer counseling and training.

That does not mean there is no federal help. Federal support for women owners comes mainly through contracts, counseling and loans. A few federal grants, such as SBIR and STTR research awards, are open to small businesses of any ownership.

Last checked: November 12, 2026. This page explains the rules only. It is general information, not legal, tax, or financial advice.

The short version

No federal grant program pays women-owned businesses to start or expand. SBA says it does not give grants for that.
The federal government aims to award 5% of federal prime contracting dollars to women-owned small businesses. The WOSB Federal Contract program sets aside certain contracts for certified firms.
To join WOSB, a business must be small and at least 51% owned and controlled by women who are U.S. citizens.
A tighter tier, EDWOSB, is for women owners with personal net worth under $850,000 and average adjusted gross income of $400,000 or less.
Women's Business Centers offer free or low-cost training and counseling.
Anyone who asks for a fee to get you a government grant is a red flag. SBA only emails from addresses ending in @sba.gov.

Who qualifies

For the WOSB Federal Contract program, SBA says a business must:
Be a small business under SBA size standards.
Be at least 51% owned and controlled by women who are U.S. citizens.
Have women manage day-to-day operations and make long-term decisions.
For the economically disadvantaged tier (EDWOSB), each woman owner must also have:
Personal net worth less than $850,000, not counting qualified retirement accounts.
Adjusted gross income of $400,000 or less, averaged over the previous three years.
Personal assets under SBA's total asset limit, listed in the FAQ below.

Federal help that actually exists

WOSB and EDWOSB set-aside contracts. Agencies can limit some contracts in industries where women-owned firms are underrepresented to certified WOSBs or EDWOSBs. SBA lists the eligible NAICS codes. These are contracts you win and perform, not grants.
Women's Business Centers. A national network of SBA-supported centers helps women start and grow businesses with training and counseling.
SBIR and STTR. Federal agencies award research and development money to small businesses. Ownership by women is not required, but these are the main federal grants open to for-profit small businesses.
SBA-guaranteed loans. 7(a), 504 and microloans are loans you repay, offered through lenders and nonprofits, open to eligible small businesses of any ownership.
Grants.gov. Each federal funding notice lists who can apply. Grants.gov notes that most of its opportunities are for organizations, and many are limited to nonprofits, schools and governments.

How to get it

How to get started

Decide what you need: contracts, counseling, a loan, or research money. Free money to start a business is mostly private or local.
Find your nearest Women's Business Center with SBA's local assistance tool and book a free session.
If you sell to the government, register in SAM.gov for free, then apply for WOSB or EDWOSB certification at SBA Certifications (certifications.sba.gov). Certification through SBA is free.
If you do research and development, look at SBIR and STTR topics from federal agencies.
Check your state economic development agency and local chamber for grants, which change often.
Skip anyone who charges a fee to get you a grant or contacts you from an address that does not end in .gov.

Programs that may match

Look beyond

Does the SBA give grants to start a business?.Government grants for starting a businesswhat actually exists.How to get an SBIR grant.SBA microloan requirements.See which other programs may fit your business with FundPlenty's free match at fundplenty.com.

FAQ

Does the federal government give grants to women-owned businesses?

Not specifically. There is no federal grant program that gives women-owned businesses money to start or expand, and SBA says it does not provide grants for starting and expanding a business. Federal help for women owners comes mostly through contracts, counseling and loans.

What is the WOSB program?

The Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contract program lets certified firms compete for federal contracts set aside for women-owned small businesses in industries where they are underrepresented. The government's goal is 5% of federal prime contracting dollars for women-owned small businesses.

What is the difference between WOSB and EDWOSB?

EDWOSB is a tier of WOSB for women owners who are economically disadvantaged: personal net worth under $850,000, average adjusted gross income of $400,000 or less, and personal assets of $6.5 million or less. Some set-asides are open only to EDWOSBs.

Does WOSB certification cost anything?

Applying through SBA Certifications is free. SBA also accepts four approved third-party certifiers, which may charge their own fees.

Are the women's business grants I see online real?

Some are real private or local programs, but they are not federal. Be careful with anyone who promises a government grant for a fee. SBA says it only contacts people from email addresses ending in @sba.gov.

Where can a woman get free help starting a business?

Women's Business Centers, Small Business Development Centers and SCORE mentors all offer free or low-cost help. SBA's local assistance tool finds the closest ones by ZIP code.