Small Business Grants in New Hampshire
Three New Hampshire state grants are open to a business right now, and they suit very different firms.
Three New Hampshire state grants are open to a business right now, and they suit very different firms. STEP reimburses up to 80 percent of export costs, WorkInvestNH puts up to $70,000 towards staff training for employers paying into the state unemployment fund, and CDFA's Small Business Energy Audit Fund covers 75 percent of an energy audit for rural firms and farms. All three take applications year round, so the thing that decides your outcome is how early you ask rather than a deadline. The state runs the rest through the Department of Business and Economic Affairs and the Community Development Finance Authority, and not all of it is a grant, so each card below is labelled by type and status. If you run a tourism organisation, the Joint Promotional Program takes its next round on 23 September 2026, then 18 November and 27 January 2027.
Which New Hampshire grants fit your business?
Answer 7 quick questions and we sort the 13 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.
New Hampshire Small Business Grant Programs
State-administered funding programs available to New Hampshire small businesses. Verify deadlines directly with the granting agency before applying.
State Trade Expansion Program (STEP)
NH Department of Business and Economic Affairs
$7,500 - $8,000
RollingReimburses up to 80% of eligible export promotion costs, including trade show participation, international marketing materials, website translation, and export consulting services.
WorkInvestNH Job Training Grant
New Hampshire Employment Security
Up to $70,000
RollingProvides matching funds for workforce training including on-site instruction, technical skills, safety training, and management development. Businesses must pay quarterly taxes into the NH Unemployment Trust Fund.
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Microenterprise Program
Community Development Finance Authority (CDFA)
$2,000 - $2,500
RollingProvides grants to microbusinesses with five or fewer employees for training, working capital, and technical assistance. Funds are distributed through local organizations such as the Hannah Grimes Center and River Valley Community College.
CDBG Economic Development Grants
Community Development Finance Authority (CDFA)
Up to $500,000
RollingSupports job creation and economic development projects including land and building acquisition, commercial construction, equipment purchases, and employee training. Funds are awarded through municipalities.
Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) Catalyst Program
Northern Border Regional Commission
Up to $1,000,000
RollingSupports infrastructure, workforce development, and economic development projects in eligible northern New Hampshire counties. Multi-jurisdictional projects may receive up to $3 million.
CDFA Tax Credit Program
Community Development Finance Authority (CDFA)
Up to $5,000,000 annually (total pool)
RollingAwards approximately $5 million in tax credits annually to nonprofits for community and economic development. NH businesses can purchase credits and receive a 75% state tax credit against their contribution.
Small Business Energy Audit Fund
Community Development Finance Authority (CDFA)
75% of the audit cost, CDFA publishes no cap
Rolling, first come first servedA small grant that pays for finding out where your energy money goes. CDFA covers 75 percent of the cost of a comprehensive energy audit for New Hampshire rural small businesses and agricultural producers, and the audit is meant to lead into efficiency or renewable work rather than sit in a drawer. Two eligibility points decide most applications. You must be a for-profit business in good standing with a New Hampshire place of business, small by the SBA size standard for your industry, and in a rural area under the USDA rural eligibility map. Agricultural producers are exempt from the rural test. Funds cover commercial space only, though a mixed use building can claim the commercial share. Applications sit on CDFA's grants management system all year and money goes first come, first served, so applying early in the year matters more than any deadline. CDFA does not publish an award cap.
Paper and Pulp Manufacturing Industry Stabilization Program
NH Department of Business and Economic Affairs
Varies
Closed March 15, 2024, the programme has endedThis program has closed. Applications for New Hampshire's Paper and Pulp Manufacturing Industry Stabilization Program shut at 4pm on March 15, 2024, and awards were notified that same month. It was a one time reimbursement program for pulp, paper and paperboard manufacturers, covering equipment, construction, energy and environmental remediation costs. It has not reopened.
New Hampshire Joint Promotional Program (JPP)
NH Department of Business and Economic Affairs
Varies
Deadline Sep 23, 2026Provides funding to invest in tourism promotional initiatives developed by groups and organizations encouraging quality out-of-state and in-state promotion projects.
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 New Hampshire grant programs expect these basics to be in place.
Form your business entity
Most New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire.
Women-owned Business Grants
Women entrepreneurs in New Hampshire can apply for the Amber Grant, which awards $10,000 monthly with the chance to win a $50,000 year-end grant. The NH SBDC also provides free business advising to help women-owned businesses access funding.
- ›Amber Grant for Women
- ›NH Small Business Development Center
Rural Business Grants
Rural businesses in northern New Hampshire counties can access substantial funding through the NBRC Catalyst Program, which supports infrastructure and economic development projects up to $1 million. CDFA also offers energy audit support for rural small businesses through the USDA Rural Energy for America Program.
- ›NBRC Catalyst Program
- ›CDFA Clean Energy Fund
Minority-owned Business Grants
Minority-owned businesses can access technical assistance and funding through CDFA's Community Development Block Grant program, which prioritizes projects benefiting low-to-moderate income communities. The MBDA also provides business development services at the federal level.
- ›CDBG Microenterprise Program
- ›MBDA Business Centers
Technology/Innovation Business Grants
Technology-focused startups in New Hampshire can pursue federal SBIR/STTR grants for research and development. The NH Business Finance Authority also partners with venture funds like Vox Health Fund and Millworks Fund II for investments in life sciences and digital health companies.
- ›SBIR/STTR Grants
- ›NH Business Finance Authority
Tips for Applying in New Hampshire
Increase your chances of approval with these state-specific tips.
- 1Register for a State of New Hampshire Vendor number through the Department of Administrative Services before applying for any state-administered grants.
- 2For CDBG-funded programs, apply through your local municipality or approved organization such as the Hannah Grimes Center or River Valley Community College, as CDFA awards funds to municipalities, not directly to businesses.
- 3Contact the NH Small Business Development Center (nhsbdc.org) for free, confidential business advising before you apply. SBDC advisors can help you strengthen your grant application and identify additional funding sources.
- 4If applying for STEP export grants, prepare detailed documentation of your marketing efforts and export budgets in advance, including quotes for trade show costs and international marketing materials.
- 5Submit applications as early in the funding cycle as possible. CDFA accepts applications through its online grants management system (nhcdfagrants.org) with strict 4:00 PM deadlines.
State Economic Development Agency
New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs (BEA)
BEA serves as New Hampshire's single point of contact for businesses at all stages, managing grant programs for export assistance, workforce training, tourism promotion, and economic development.
Funding While You Wait
Grant applications in New Hampshire can take weeks or months to process. These options can bridge the gap.
Grants in Other States
All state grant guidesFrequently Asked Questions
Yes, New Hampshire offers several true grant programs that do not require repayment. The CDBG Microenterprise Program provides $2,000 to $2,500 to microbusinesses with five or fewer employees. The State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) reimburses up to 80% of export promotion costs, with awards of $7,500 to $8,000. WorkInvestNH also provides matching funds up to $70,000 for employee training.
The CDBG Microenterprise Program, administered through the Community Development Finance Authority (CDFA), is one of the most accessible grants for small businesses in New Hampshire. It targets microbusinesses with five or fewer employees, especially those run by low-to-moderate income owners. For businesses involved in exporting, the STEP grant through BEA is another commonly used program.
Most New Hampshire state grant programs do not require minority or women-owned business certification. Programs like STEP, WorkInvestNH, and the CDBG Microenterprise grants are open to all eligible businesses. However, having certification can strengthen your application for certain federal programs and may open doors to additional funding opportunities through organizations like the MBDA.
Timelines vary by program. CDFA processes CDBG grants through its online Grants Management System (GMS), and funds are typically disbursed after a grant agreement is executed and approved claims are submitted. For STEP grants, reimbursement occurs after you complete eligible export activities and submit documentation. Plan for 60 to 120 days from application to funding for most state programs.
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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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