Simpler Grants.gov #MBDA-OBC-2026-00003

MBDA Rural Business Center Program Solicitation for Technical Assistance and Entrepreneurial Development Services

The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, is seeking eligible institutions of higher education to operate MBDA Rural Business Centers through cooperative agreements. - Government Buyer: - Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Business Centers - Program Overview: - MBDA Rural Business Center Program aims to deliver technical assistance, capacity building, and entrepreneurial development services to rural minority business enterprises - Services include broadband adoption, digital literacy, e-commerce, advanced manufacturing, trade, capital access, supply chain support, transportation, logistics, and workforce skills development - Funding and Awards: - Total available funding: approximately $14,500,000 - Number of awards: 5 to 7, each ranging from $2.25M to $3M - Mandatory cost share: 20% of federal funding - Eligibility and Requirements: - Only institutions of higher education (as defined by the Higher Education Act of 1965) or consortia led by such institutions are eligible - Focus on rural business enterprises at all stages, from ideation to maturity - OEMs and Vendors: - No specific OEMs or commercial vendors are mentioned; the program is focused on service delivery - Notable Requirements: - Emphasis on broadband access, digital literacy, advanced manufacturing, trade, capital access, and workforce development - Cooperative agreement funding instrument - Place of Performance: - Any U.S. state or territory, with MBDA as the contracting office

Description

The Rural Business Center Program will provide awards to support technical assistance, capacity building, and entrepreneurial development services to rural business enterprises at all stages, from ideation to maturity. The program is funded by the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) of the U.S. Department of Commerce. Eligible applicants are limited to institutions of higher education as defined by the Higher Education Act of 1965, including consortia of such institutions. The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement with a required cost share of 20% of the federal funding amount.

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