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FY26 Capacity Building Grant Program is a grant from the DC Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) that funds Certified Business Enterprise (CBE) small businesses based in Washington, DC to build organizational and operational capacity. The program supports small businesses in strengthening their business operations, competitiveness, and growth within the District's local business ecosystem.
Eligible applicants are Certified Business Enterprise small businesses based in DC. Award amounts are specified in the official program notice. The application deadline was March 4, 2026.
Applicants should contact DSLBD for information on future cycles.
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FY26 Aspire Incubator Program The Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) is excited to announce that we will be accepting applications for the 2026 Aspire Incubator Program starting February 23, 2026. The Aspire Incubator Program is for DC residents who are returning citizens and/or justice-involved with an active DC basic business license.
The Program is an opportunity for participants to sustain or grow their DC-based microbusiness within a community of support and receive stipend payouts for completing various business development milestones, up to $5,000. 00.
This will include completing advertising, branding, and marketing materials; business growth and sustainability planning; regulatory compliance requirements; financial management practices; and public speaking through business pitching. Participants will also have an opportunity to pitch their businesses to a panel of judges in the Aspire Incubator Pitch Competition (“Pitch Competition”) for the chance to win Pitch Prizes.
March 23, 20260 at 2:00 PM ET. No Exception To learn more, CLICK HERE FY26 Residential Energy Contractor Support Grant The DC Department of Small and Local Business Development (“DSLBD” or “Department”) is pleased to announce that it will begin soliciting applications for the FY26 RECS Grant on or about March 2, 2026, at 10:00 a. m.
Eastern Time (“ET”). RECS grants will be awarded to eligible District-based businesses that can deliver targeted development training and back-office support to DC Sustainable Energy Utility (“DCSEU”) Train Green program participants, as well as District-based businesses engaging in other energy efficiency training opportunities or “green” energy contracting opportunities.
In partnership with the Department of Energy and Environment (“DOEE”), DSLBD seeks to position eligible businesses to deliver trainings and prepare District-based business for subcontracting opportunities through back-office support (i.e., proposal/grant writing, marketing, customer recruitment, and account management).
The Department intends to award up to two (2) grants to District-based businesses in the amount of $50,000, from the $100,000 in total available funding for FY26. The competitive application will open on March 2, 2026, and close on April 1, 2026, at 2:00 p. m.
ET. Applications will only be accepted through the online application system listed in the corresponding RFA that will be posted on DSLBD’s website.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: April 1, 2026, at 2:00 PM ET To learn more, Click Here FY26 CBE Sustainable Energy Grants The DC Department of Small and Local Business Development (“DSLBD” or “Department”) is pleased to announce that it is beginning to solicit applications for the FY26 CBE Sustainable Energy Grants on or about February 16, 2026, at 10:00 a. m. Eastern Time (“ET”).
CBE Sustainable Energy is a DSLBD initiative to support CBEs in the energy efficiency/reduction, electrification, renewable energy, and other related “green energy” markets. In partnership with the Department of Energy and Environment (“DOEE”), DSLBD supports CBEs by helping them prepare for opportunities with DOEE, the DC Sustainable Energy Utility (“DCSEU”), and other market opportunities.
To learn more, Click Here FY26 Capacity Building Grant Program The DC Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) is pleased to announce the launch of the FY 2 6 Capacity Building Grant Program . This grant program is part of DSLBD’s broader commitment to support the growth and sustainability of DC’s small business ecosystem.
The Capacity Building Grant is designed to enhance the delivery of technical assistance, strengthen local business support networks, and ensure that underserved entrepreneurs have access to the tools they need to thrive. With a total of $479,835. 00 in available funding for FY26.
The number of awards and individual grant amounts will be determined based on the strength of the proposals and the anticipated impact of services delivered. Grantees will enter into agreements with DSLBD to deliver direct services, work collaboratively with DSLBD program managers, and report on outcomes throughout the year.
The FY26 Capacity Building Grant Program will: Support District-Based Business Service Providers : Grants will be awarded to local businesses and organizations that specialize in delivering high-quality technical assistance. These providers play a critical role in strengthening the infrastructure supporting small-business growth across DC.
Deliver Targeted Business Development Services : DSLBD is seeking grantees who can offer specialized training, coaching, and back-office support services to participants in three of the agency’s flagship programs: We Aspire – for returning citizen entrepreneurs. Dream Accelerator – for early-stage business owners seeking to scale. District Capitalized – focused on helping small businesses access capital.
Expand Access to Expertise : Through this initiative, DSLBD aims to increase the number of professional services available to program participants—helping businesses gain strategic guidance, financial literacy, legal support, branding assistance, and more. Instructions are included in the RFA, which will be available for download on DSLBD’s website on or February 4, 2026, at 2:00 PM ET.
Applicants are required to read the full RFA once posted.
Applicants must register in the District Enterprise System (DES) and submit an application online using the link provided below by March 4, 2026, at 10:00 PM (ET) FY26 Capacity Building Grant Program Application Link Click here to view the FY26 Capacity Building Grant RFA (Updated March 3, 2026) Fiscal Year 2026 Art All Night Marketing Services Grant (Updated February 19, 2026) The DC Department of Small and Local Business Development (“DSLBD” or the “Department”) is excited to announce that it will begin accepting applications for the Fiscal Year (“FY”) 2026 Art All Night (“AAN”) Marketing Services Grant Program, beginning January 20, 2026, at 2:00 PM ET.
The AAN Marketing Services Grant Program is a DSLBD initiative created to maximize media engagement leading up to the AAN Festival. The selected awardee will be responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive citywide marketing and communications strategy for AAN. DSLBD intends to award one (1) grant of up to $75,000.
00 of the total funding available for FY 26. Programs connected to the FY 26 AAN Marketing Services Grant must occur during the Period of Performance, beginning on or around the effective date of the relevant grant agreement and ending on September 30, 2025. Applicants must register and submit an application online using the link provided within the RFA.
Application deadline is March 4, 2026, at 2:00 PM (ET). Applicants must submit all documents and attestations within the District Enterprise System (“DES”). Applications will not be accepted if submitted outside DES or after the FY 26 AAN Marketing Services Grant Program deadline.
An applicant for a FY 26 AAN Marketing Services Grant must meet the following criteria: The applicant's business must be based in DC. The applicant's organization and Executive Director or other Officer(s) have not been suspended from any District grant program for any reason within the past five (5) years.
DSLBD will not solicit offers from, award grants to, renew or extend grant agreements with, or consent to subcontracts with entities that were suspended during this timeframe. Applicants who do not meet eligibility requirements for a FY 26 AAN Marketing Services Grant will not be considered. All instructions are included in the formal “Request for Applications” (RFA).
Applicants are encouraged to read the full Request for Applications. Applications will only be accepted through the online application system listed in the Request for Applications (RFA).
DSLBD AAN Marketing Services Budget Narrative Template FY26 Capacity Building Grant NOFA FY26 CBE Sustainable Energy Grants RFA Aspire Incubator Program Official Instructions & Program Details FY26 REC Support Grant RFA FY26 REC Support Grant NOFA fY26 AAN Marketing Serivces RFA FY26 Capcity Building Grant RFA Update 3_03_26 2025 Ward 8 Community Investment Fund Grant Program (Ward 8 CIF) FY26 CBE Sustainable Energy Grant 2026 Aspire Incubator Program
Based on current listing details, eligibility includes: Certified Business Enterprise small businesses based in DC Applicants should confirm final requirements in the official notice before submission.
Current published award information indicates See official notice Always verify allowable costs, matching requirements, and funding caps directly in the sponsor documentation.
The current target date is March 4, 2026. Build your timeline backwards from this date to cover registrations, approvals, attachments, and final submission checks.
Federal grant success rates typically range from 10-30%, varying by agency and program. Build a strong proposal with clear objectives, measurable outcomes, and a well-justified budget to improve your chances.
Requirements vary by sponsor, but typically include a project narrative, budget justification, organizational capability statement, and key personnel CVs. Check the official notice for the complete list of required attachments.
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Review timelines vary by funder. Federal agencies typically take 3-6 months from submission to award notification. Foundation grants may be faster, often 1-3 months. Check the program's timeline in the official solicitation for specific dates.
Many federal programs offer multi-year funding or allow competitive renewals. Check the official solicitation for continuation and renewal policies. Non-competing continuation applications are common for multi-year awards.
The Department of Defense FY2026 Defense University Research Instrumentation Program (DURIP) provides funding for U.S. universities to acquire research equipment and instrumentation in areas important to national defense, including AI and machine learning hardware. The program is administered jointly by the Army Research Office (ARO), Office of Naval Research (ONR), and Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR), with approximately $34 million available and 95 awards anticipated. DURIP funds the acquisition of specialized computing hardware for AI/ML research (GPU clusters, TPUs, neuromorphic processors), robotics and autonomous systems testbeds, sensor arrays and data collection systems for machine learning training, high-performance computing infrastructure for defense-relevant AI research, and laboratory equipment for human-AI interaction studies. The program specifically supports equipment that enhances research-related education in DoD-priority disciplines. While general-purpose computing is not eligible, computing equipment directly supporting DoD-relevant AI research programs qualifies. No cost sharing is required.
Innovate UK's Sovereign AI Proof of Concept programme funds proof of concept demonstrators of AI technologies with state-of-the-art performance across five strategic themes: fundamental AI research, materials discovery, biosciences and health, defense and national security, and AI-aided chip/hardware design. Individual project grants range from £50,000 to £120,000 (approximately USD $63,500-$152,400) from a total allocation of at least £1.6 million. Projects must be 1-3 months in duration, starting by January 2026 and completing by March 2026. The programme supports feasibility studies and industrial research, with funding covering up to 70% of costs for micro/small businesses, 60% for medium, and 50% for large organizations. Literature review studies and projects unable to scale are excluded.