8(a) Business Development Program
Open continuously
No deadline — apply whenever you are ready.
Not a cash grant. Provides a nine-year business development programme with access to sole-source federal contracts (up to $4.5m for services, $7m for manufacturing) plus mentoring and training.
U.S. Small Business Administration
public · national
Deadline: rolling
This funder does not publish a success rate. We rank it using the rate observed across similar programmes and label it as an estimate rather than implying we know.
Moderate — a form and supporting documents.
Who can apply
- small enterprises
- Stage: growth
- Locally registered entity required
Business must be at least 51% owned and controlled by US citizens who are socially and economically disadvantaged; owner personal net worth under $850,000, adjusted gross income under $400,000 and total assets under $6.5m. Normally requires two years of business tax returns unless a waiver is granted.
How to apply
- Register in SAM.gov
- Complete the 8(a) application in the SBA certify.sba.gov portal
- Provide evidence of social and economic disadvantage, ownership and control
- Await SBA determination
What you will need
- Personal narrative of social disadvantage (where required)
- Personal financial statements
- Three years of business tax returns
- Ownership and control documentation
Source. https://www.sba.gov/federal-contracting/contracting-assistance-programs/8a-business-development-program — checked 2026-08-14 · not human-checked