Opportunity Information: Apply for PRIME 2018 01
The Program for Investment in Microentrepreneurs (PRIME) is a discretionary grant program run by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) under the Program for Investment in Microentrepreneurs Act of 1999, which became law on November 12, 1999 (Public Law 106-102; referenced at 15 U.S.C. 6901 note). The basic aim of PRIME is to strengthen entrepreneurship among people who face economic disadvantages by funding organizations that deliver hands-on training, technical assistance, and support systems that help very small businesses and early-stage entrepreneurs start up, stabilize, and grow. While the SBA is widely associated with loan programs, this opportunity highlights the agency's other major role: funding training and technical assistance providers to improve small business performance, encourage innovation, and support better management practices and productivity.
PRIME is designed around a few core purposes authorized by the statute. First, it supports training and technical assistance for disadvantaged entrepreneurs, which can include practical business education, counseling, and other direct services that help individuals launch and operate microenterprises. Second, it funds training and capacity-building for microenterprise development organizations (often referred to as MDOs) and microenterprise programs, meaning the grant can be used to improve the ability of these organizations to deliver services effectively, expand reach, and strengthen program operations. Third, PRIME can support research and development focused on identifying and spreading best practices for microenterprise development and technical assistance efforts, with the goal of improving what works in the field and making programs more effective over time. Finally, it allows room for other related activities that the SBA Administrator determines align with PRIME's mission, which gives the program flexibility to respond to needs in disadvantaged entrepreneurial communities.
For this specific funding notice (Funding Opportunity Number PRIME 2018 01), the SBA indicated that it would give added consideration to applicants proposing services that reach economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs in rural areas, as well as applicants whose training and technical assistance efforts support entrepreneurship in HUBZones. HUBZones are historically underutilized business zones targeted for economic development, so proposals that intentionally serve entrepreneurs and small businesses in these areas are positioned to be more competitive under the stated priorities. In practical terms, the preference signals that the SBA wants PRIME-funded providers to focus on communities that often lack access to robust business development resources, including rural places and areas facing persistent underinvestment.
The opportunity falls under the Business and Commerce funding activity category and is offered as a grant (Funding Instrument Type: Grant). The CFDA number associated with the program is 59.050. The eligible applicant category is listed broadly as "Others," with a note to consult the full eligibility section for details, which typically means the program is aimed at organizations that provide or support microenterprise development services rather than individual entrepreneurs applying directly. The posting information for this cycle shows a creation date of May 1, 2018, and an original closing date of June 1, 2018, with an award ceiling of $250,000. The SBA projected approximately 35 awards, suggesting a nationally competitive program intended to fund multiple service providers across different regions and target populations rather than a small number of large awards.
Overall, PRIME is best understood as a capacity-and-services grant aimed at improving the support infrastructure for disadvantaged entrepreneurs. Instead of financing businesses directly, it funds the training, technical assistance, organizational strengthening, and best-practices work that helps microentrepreneurs build sustainable enterprises. The emphasis on rural areas and HUBZones in this cycle underscores an equity and access focus, encouraging applicants to bring high-quality entrepreneurship support to communities where it is often hardest to find.Apply for PRIME 2018 01
- The Small Business Administration in the business and commerce sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Program for Investment in Microentrepreneurs (PRIME)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 59.050.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 01, 2018.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 01, 2018. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $250,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 35 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Browse more opportunities from the same agency: Small Business Administration
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Business and Commerce
Next opportunity: Community Collaborations to Strengthen and Preserve Families
Previous opportunity: U.S.-Iraqi Think Tank Linkage Program for Iraqi Academics and Commentators
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for PRIME 2018 01
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (PRIME 2018 01) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Women’s Business Center - Initial Phase Grant Apply for OWBO 2018 01 3 Funding Number: OWBO 2018 01 3 Agency: Small Business Administration Category: Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Procurement Technical Assistance Midwest BIA Region Apply for DLA 201803 Funding Number: DLA 201803 Agency: Department of Defense, Defense Logistics Agency Category: Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Rural Cooperative Development Grant Apply for RDBCP RCDG 2018 Funding Number: RDBCP RCDG 2018 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Business and Cooperative Programs Category: Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Socially Disadvantaged Groups Grant Apply for RDBCP SDGG 2018 Funding Number: RDBCP SDGG 2018 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Business and Cooperative Programs Category: Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $175,000 |
| Procurement Technical Assistance Program- Existing PTACs only Apply for DLA 201901 Funding Number: DLA 201901 Agency: Department of Defense, Defense Logistics Agency Category: Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| Armenia Rural Economic Development – New Economic Opportunities (RED-NEO) Apply for 72011118RFA00001 Funding Number: 72011118RFA00001 Agency: Agency for International Development, Armenia USAID-Yerevan Category: Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $4,000,000 |
| Procurement Technical Assistance Program - Existing PTACs only Apply for DLA 201901B Funding Number: DLA 201901B Agency: Department of Defense, Defense Logistics Agency Category: Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| Office of Small Business Development Centers Funding Opportunity Apply for OSBDC 2019 01 Funding Number: OSBDC 2019 01 Agency: Small Business Administration Category: Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $6,376,715 |
| Improve Visitor Experience & Enhance Visitor Access to the Isle au Haut District of Acadia National Park Apply for NPS 18 NERO 0117 Funding Number: NPS 18 NERO 0117 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $24,500 |
| Women’s Business Center Renewal Grant Apply for OWBO 2018 02 Funding Number: OWBO 2018 02 Agency: Small Business Administration Category: Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Option Year Workplan and Budget Apply for OWBO WKPLN 2018 19 Funding Number: OWBO WKPLN 2018 19 Agency: Small Business Administration Category: Business and Commerce Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Regulatory Reform Support Program for National Development (RESPOND) Apply for 72049218RFA00011 Funding Number: 72049218RFA00011 Agency: Agency for International Development Category: Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $10,000,000 |
| FY18 Supplemental Funding for Existing PTACs Apply for DLA 201804 Funding Number: DLA 201804 Agency: Department of Defense, Defense Logistics Agency Category: Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| OWBO Option Year Workplan and Budget Request Apply for OWBO WKPLN 2018 19 1 Funding Number: OWBO WKPLN 2018 19 1 Agency: Small Business Administration Category: Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $137,500 |
| Small Business Development Centers Apply for OSBDC 2019 03 Funding Number: OSBDC 2019 03 Agency: Small Business Administration Category: Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Small Business Development Centers Apply for OSBDC 2019 02 Funding Number: OSBDC 2019 02 Agency: Small Business Administration Category: Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $6,376,715 |
| 7(j) Management and Technical Assistance Services Apply for GCBD 7J 2019 01 Funding Number: GCBD 7J 2019 01 Agency: Small Business Administration Category: Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| 7(j) Management and Technical Assistance Services Apply for GCGB 7J 2019 02 Funding Number: GCGB 7J 2019 02 Agency: Small Business Administration Category: Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| Women’s Business Center - Initial Phase Grant Apply for OWBO 2019 01 1 Funding Number: OWBO 2019 01 1 Agency: Small Business Administration Category: Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Procurement Technical Assistance - Midwest BIA Region Apply for DLA 201902 Funding Number: DLA 201902 Agency: Department of Defense, Defense Logistics Agency Category: Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $750,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "PRIME 2018 01", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.