Small Business Grants in Maryland
Small business money in Maryland comes mainly from the Department of Commerce and DHCD. Grants are only part of it.
Small business money in Maryland comes mainly from the Department of Commerce and DHCD. Grants are only part of it. ExportMD is the one open to any Maryland exporter, at up to $5,000 a year. Manufacturing 4.0 closed its window on August 31. The Purple Line grant reopens on September 29 for businesses near the construction. DHCD has shut its Business Boost microgrant and now lists loans. Every card carries its type and whether it is open.
Which Maryland grants fit your business?
Answer 7 quick questions and we sort the 12 programs on this page into likely fits and long shots. Nothing personal is asked or stored, and final eligibility is always decided by the granting agency.
Maryland Small Business Grant Programs
State-administered funding programs available to Maryland small businesses. Verify deadlines directly with the granting agency before applying.
ExportMD Program
Maryland Department of Commerce
Up to $5,000 per award, once a year
Rolling, applications due the 1st of each monthExportMD provides matching grants of up to $5,000 to reimburse expenses associated with international marketing projects, including trade show fees, brochures, and travel. Applications are accepted on a monthly basis from qualifying Maryland companies.
Partnership for Workforce Quality (PWQ)
Maryland Department of Commerce
Up to 50% of qualified training costs
RollingPWQ provides matching training grants that reimburse up to 50% of qualified direct costs for worker training in manufacturing and technology companies. At least 60% of funds must go to businesses with 150 or fewer employees.
MDOT Purple Line Small Business Grant Program
Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT)
Up to $50,000
Deadline Nov 7, 2026Direct grants to small businesses within a quarter mile of Purple Line construction in Prince George's and Montgomery counties, funded at $1 million a year through 2028 across three rounds. Round 2 closed August 28, 2026. Round 3 opens September 29 and closes November 7, with awards announced December 16.
TEDCO Concept Capital
Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO)
$25,000–$50,000
RollingTEDCO's Concept Capital provides convertible notes with founder-friendly terms (zero interest, negotiable valuation caps) to bridge the early-stage funding gap for underrepresented entrepreneurs. Eligible founders include those in rural or disadvantaged communities.
Business Boost Microgrants (Neighborhood BusinessWorks)
Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)
$20,000–$50,000
Closed, programme no longer offered by DHCDDHCD ran these microgrants for small businesses in designated Sustainable Communities that needed capital for growth or expansion. Applications have closed and no new round is posted. DHCD's business development page now lists loans, the NourishMD grant for food retailers, and Opportunity Zone incentives.
Maryland Manufacturing 4.0 Grant Program
Maryland Department of Commerce
$25,000–$500,000
Deadline Aug 31, 2026This competitive grant program helps small and mid-sized Maryland manufacturers invest in Industry 4.0 technologies, robotics, and digital business practices. Grants cover up to 75% of project costs for small manufacturers (3–50 employees) and 50% for mid-sized manufacturers. FY2026 funding was set at $6 million.
Project Restore 2.0
Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)
Up to $300,000
ClosedProject Restore 2.0 gave $8 million to Main Streets, Arts and Entertainment Districts and other place based economic development organisations in Sustainable Communities, up to $300,000 each, which those organisations subgranted to businesses filling vacant storefronts. A business never applied to DHCD directly, and the round is finished.
NourishMD Grant Program
Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)
$25,000–$150,000
Deadline Feb 20, 2026NourishMD provides grants to support the development, stabilization, and expansion of retail outlets that provide fresh food in Maryland's food deserts. Part of the Moore-Miller Administration's $10 million Community Business Compass initiative.
Federal Grant Programs
These federal programs are available to small businesses in every state.
SBA 7(a) Loan Program
The SBA's primary lending program guarantees loans through participating lenders. This is a loan, not a grant. But the terms favor small businesses that may not qualify for conventional financing.
Learn moreSBA Microloan Program
Loans up to $50,000, not grants. You borrow from a nonprofit lender near you, not from the SBA itself. The money can cover working capital, inventory, supplies or equipment. Most people get far less than the cap. The average microloan is about $13,000.
Learn moreSBIR/STTR Grants
Competitive federal grants for small businesses doing research and development with commercial potential. Eleven federal agencies take part. Phase I funds proof of concept. Phase II funds full development.
Learn moreMinority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Programs
Help for minority owned businesses that need capital, contracts or new markets. MBDA runs business centers around the country. They give advice, help with bids, and point you toward lenders.
Learn moreGet Grant-Ready
Before you apply, most Maryland grant programs expect these basics to be in place.
Form your business entity
Most Maryland grant programs require applicants to be a registered LLC, corporation, or nonprofit. If you haven't formed yet, that's the first step.
$39 + state fee. Includes registered agent, business address, and more.
Get your EIN
An Employer Identification Number is free from the IRS and required on nearly every grant application. You can apply online and receive it immediately.
Open a business bank account
Grant funds need to go into a dedicated business account, not your personal checking. Most agencies will ask for your banking details on the application.
Mercury is a fintech company, not an FDIC-insured bank. Banking services provided through Choice Financial Group and Column N.A., Members FDIC.
Grants by Business Type
Targeted programs for specific business owners in Maryland.
Women-owned Business Grants
MDOT's MBE certification covers women-owned businesses. It is free. TEDCO's Concept Capital names female founders as a target group. It pays in convertible notes, not grant money. The Governor's Office of Small, Minority and Women Business Affairs adds procurement support.
- ›MBE Certification (MDOT)
- ›TEDCO Concept Capital
Minority-owned Business Grants
Maryland tells its agencies to place 29 percent of contract spending with certified MBE firms. That is the biggest lever here. TEDCO's Minority Business Pre-Seed Fund puts up to $40,000 into minority founders with technology ideas. The MSBDFA backs disadvantaged owners too.
- ›MBE Certification (MDOT)
- ›TEDCO Minority Business Pre-Seed Fund
Veteran-owned Business Grants
Maryland has no veteran grant. The MBE program counts veteran-owned businesses toward its procurement goals. Several counties run their own schemes as well. Start with the certification.
- ›MBE Certification (MDOT)
Rural Business Grants
Western Maryland and the Eastern Shore sit in USDA rural territory. The Rural Business Development Grant does not take for profit applicants. That rules most founders out. TEDCO's Concept Capital names rural founders and puts in $25,000 to $50,000. It is a convertible note, so it is money you may repay in equity.
- ›TEDCO Concept Capital
Technology/Innovation Business Grants
Maryland is strong here. TEDCO runs the Maryland Innovation Initiative. It also matches federal SBIR and STTR awards. Manufacturing 4.0 pays $25,000 to $500,000 for technology adoption, but its 2026 window closed on August 31. Watch for the next one.
- ›TEDCO Maryland Innovation Initiative
- ›Maryland Manufacturing 4.0
- ›SBIR/STTR Programs
Tips for Applying in Maryland
Increase your chances of approval with these state-specific tips.
- 1Check you are in good standing with SDAT before you apply anywhere. Maryland Business Express shows your status in a moment.
- 2Register for a TEDCO ID before you apply to anything TEDCO runs. You only do it once. Every later application then starts from that account.
- 3Get MBE certification through MDOT if you qualify. It is free, and it opens the state's 29 percent procurement goal.
- 4Call the Maryland SBDC. The advising is free. Its regional offices will sharpen your plan and your numbers.
- 5Have the paperwork ready first. Most Maryland applications want a business plan, financial statements, proof of registration and a W-9.
State Economic Development Agency
Maryland Department of Commerce
Commerce is Maryland's main economic development agency. It runs the grants, tax credits and financing on this page. DHCD handles the housing and community side.
Funding While You Wait
Grant applications in Maryland can take weeks or months to process. These options can bridge the gap.
Grants in Other States
All state grant guidesFrequently Asked Questions
Yes. Maryland Manufacturing 4.0 awards $25,000 to $500,000 to manufacturers with 3 to 250 employees, and its 2026 window closes August 31. ExportMD reimburses up to $5,000 of international marketing costs, on the first of each month. The MDOT Purple Line grant pays up to $50,000 near the construction, and its round 2 closed August 28. Round 3 runs September 29 to November 7. None of those are repaid. DHCD closed its Business Boost microgrant, and its business page now offers loans.
For manufacturers it is Maryland Manufacturing 4.0, which pays $25,000 to $500,000 and reserves a fifth of its money for firms with 3 to 50 employees. For everyone else it is ExportMD, which reimburses up to $5,000 of international marketing costs and takes applications every month. The DHCD Business Boost microgrant used to be the usual answer here and it is closed. DHCD now lists loans, the NourishMD grant for food retailers and Opportunity Zone incentives, so a Maryland founder after plain grant money has fewer doors than the older guides suggest.
No, most Maryland small business grants are open to all eligible businesses regardless of ownership demographics. However, obtaining MBE certification through MDOT's Office of Minority Business Enterprise can give you access to state procurement contracts with a 29% MBE allocation goal. Certification is free and can be a valuable tool for winning government contracts. Some TEDCO programs, like Concept Capital, specifically prioritize underrepresented founders.
It depends on the programme. ExportMD takes applications on the first of each month, and you can only win one award a year. Maryland Manufacturing 4.0 runs one cycle a year, closing August 31, 2026 at 5pm. It pays half at notice and half on proof of spending. The Purple Line round 2 closed August 28, and MDOT announces those awards on September 29. Round 3 runs September 29 to November 7. Plan on four to twelve weeks. Being eligible is not the same as being funded.
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Grant programs change frequently. Deadlines, eligibility requirements, and funding amounts listed here may be outdated. Always verify information directly with the granting agency before applying. This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or legal advice.
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