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"New Start Grant Program" is currently closed and not accepting applications.
New Start Grant Program is sponsored by Maryland Department of Labor. This program provides financial support to organizations that serve justice-involved Marylanders, offering entrepreneurship training and reentry services to help them pursue business ownership. While directly for organizations, formerly incarcerated individuals could benefit from the services of recipient organizations.
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Maryland New Start Grant Program - Division of Workforce Development and Adult Learning Accessibility Information Maryland New Start Grant Program - Workforce Development & Adult Learning For Marylanders transitioning back to the community from incarceration, employment and financial security are two important steps on the journey home.
Entrepreneurship is a powerful tool that can help returning citizens find both, while also creating new jobs and new opportunities across the state. The Maryland New Start Act of 2022 established the New Start Grant Program within the Maryland Department of Labor (MD Labor). This program empowers returning citizens by connecting them to meaningful entrepreneurship development training.
As a component of training, students will also be made aware of different small business financing opportunities, including the Maryland Department of Commerce’s Microloan Program, which launched in early 2024. For additional information about those loans, please visit Commerce's website .
The New Start Grant Program provides financial support for organizations that serve certain populations of returning citizens and incarcerated Marylanders with nationally recognized entrepreneurship development programming. Grants, capped at $60,000, are expected to be announced in June 2025 and successful applicants will have one year to spend funding.
Interested applicants must respond to a competitive solicitation and meet all requirements established in the program policy. Applying for a New Start Grant Organizations that meet the basic eligibility criteria established in the program policy are invited to respond to the competitive solicitation for funding. New Start Grants may be used to support many programmatic and administrative costs.
To be considered for funding, programs must generally provide eligible participants with at least the following opportunities: A nationally recognized entrepreneurship development curriculum, Executive mentoring opportunities with local business leaders, A business plan competition program for incarcerated participants, and Applicants must also demonstrate that their proposed program has secured at least 25% of the requested award amount from non-State sources, including indirect and in-kind contributions.
Applicants should carefully review the program policy, solicitation, and resources below before applying. Prior to submission, review the required and optional documents table below to ensure a complete application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Solicitation and Policy Documents New Start Grant Program Policy New Start Grant Program Solicitation New Start Grant Program Application for Initial Grant Funding New Start Grant Program Application Budget (.
xlsx) New Start Grant Program Pre-Proposal Conference Presentation New Start Grant Program Solicitation Q&A US Small Business Association - Office of Entrepreneurship Education Maryland Department of Commerce Maryland Small Business Development Centers Division of Workforce Development & Adult Learning - Correctional Education Division of Workforce Development & Adult Learning - Re-Entry Resources Strategic Initiatives Grants Program Manager Division of Workforce Development and Adult Learning Maryland Department of Labor ensures HTML content is downloaded and parsed first.
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According to the current listing, eligibility includes: Organizations with recognized entrepreneurship development programs that serve certain populations of returning citizens and incarcerated Marylanders. Confirm the full requirements in the official notice before applying.
The current listing shows $20,000 (for selected organizations). Verify award ceilings, matching requirements, and allowable costs in the official notice.
The published deadline was August 6, 2025, which has passed. Check the official notice for any future application windows before investing time in a proposal.
New Start Grant Program is funded by Maryland Department of Labor. Verify program details on the funder's official page before applying.
Start from the official opportunity page linked in this listing — it carries the sponsor's submission instructions.
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