Opportunity Information: Apply for SB OCAML 26 001
MICRO-2026-1 (Funding Opportunity Number SB OCAML 26 001) is a discretionary Small Business Administration (SBA) grant opportunity in the Business and Commerce category (CFDA 59.046) designed to expand access to microloans for small businesses in communities where credit is tight, especially in places affected by economic downturns. The program is structured around supporting entrepreneurs and small business owners who can operate viable businesses but may not be able to secure traditional financing. Rather than lending directly to every small business, SBA works through approved intermediary lenders so the program can reach local markets and borrowers more effectively.
Under this opportunity, SBA will make loans or provide loan guarantees to intermediary lenders that are private nonprofit organizations or quasi-governmental entities. These intermediaries then use the capital to make short-term, fixed-interest microloans to eligible small business borrowers. Individual microloans can be as large as 50,000 dollars and are aimed at startups, newly established businesses, and growing small firms that need relatively small amounts of financing to get traction or stabilize operations.
A key limitation of the microloan funds is that they must be used only for specific business purposes tied to operations and productive capacity. Allowable uses include working capital, inventory, supplies, furniture and fixtures, and the purchase of machinery or equipment. In practical terms, the program is meant to help businesses cover the kinds of expenses that directly support day-to-day functioning and revenue generation, rather than broader or unrelated expenditures.
In addition to the lending capital and guarantees, SBA will also award grants to participating intermediaries specifically to provide technical assistance to microloan applicants and recipients. This support can include marketing guidance, management help, and other forms of training and advising that strengthen a borrower’s ability to start, operate, and grow successfully. The idea is that financing alone is often not enough for very small or early-stage businesses, so the program pairs capital with hands-on assistance that can improve business outcomes and reduce the risk of default. SBA will also provide training for intermediary lenders themselves to support consistent, effective program delivery.
Eligibility to apply for this opportunity is limited to nonprofit organizations, including those with 501(c)(3) status and those without 501(c)(3) status, as long as they are not institutions of higher education. The agency anticipates making about 138 awards, with an award ceiling of 3,000,000 dollars. The opportunity was created on 2026-06-04 and has an original closing date of 2026-06-05, indicating a very short submission window based on the posted source data.Apply for SB OCAML 26 001
- The Small Business Administration in the business and commerce sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "MICRO-2026-1" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 59.046.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-06-04.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-06-05. (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 $3,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 138 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
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FAQs: MICRO-2026-1 (Funding Opportunity Number SB OCAML 26 001)
What is MICRO-2026-1 (SB OCAML 26 001)?
MICRO-2026-1 (Funding Opportunity Number SB OCAML 26 001) is a discretionary Small Business Administration (SBA) grant opportunity in the Business and Commerce category (CFDA 59.046). It is designed to expand access to microloans for small businesses in communities where credit is tight, particularly areas affected by economic downturns.
Who is the federal agency offering this opportunity?
The opportunity is offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
What is the main goal of the program described in this opportunity?
The program aims to increase access to small-dollar financing for entrepreneurs and small business owners who can operate viable businesses but may not be able to obtain traditional financing, especially in markets where credit is constrained.
Does SBA lend directly to small businesses under this opportunity?
Not primarily. SBA works through approved intermediary lenders so the program can reach local markets and borrowers more effectively. The intermediaries then make microloans to eligible small business borrowers.
Who can apply for this funding opportunity?
Eligibility is limited to nonprofit organizations, including those with 501(c)(3) status and those without 501(c)(3) status, as long as they are not institutions of higher education.
Are institutions of higher education eligible to apply?
No. The information provided specifies that eligible nonprofit applicants must not be institutions of higher education.
What types of organizations does SBA support as intermediary lenders?
Under this opportunity, SBA will make loans or provide loan guarantees to intermediary lenders that are private nonprofit organizations or quasi-governmental entities.
What do intermediary lenders do with the SBA-backed capital?
Intermediaries use the capital to make short-term, fixed-interest microloans to eligible small business borrowers, focusing on startups, newly established businesses, and growing small firms needing relatively small amounts of financing.
What is the maximum size of an individual microloan?
Individual microloans can be as large as 50,000 dollars.
What kinds of businesses are the microloans intended to help?
The microloans are aimed at startups, newly established businesses, and growing small firms that need smaller amounts of financing to gain traction or stabilize operations.
What are the allowable uses of microloan funds?
Microloan funds must be used only for specific business purposes tied to operations and productive capacity. Allowable uses include working capital, inventory, supplies, furniture and fixtures, and the purchase of machinery or equipment.
Are microloan funds intended for general or unrelated spending?
No. The information provided emphasizes that the funds are meant to cover expenses that directly support day-to-day functioning and revenue generation, rather than broader or unrelated expenditures.
Is technical assistance included as part of this program?
Yes. SBA will award grants to participating intermediaries specifically to provide technical assistance to microloan applicants and recipients.
What types of technical assistance can intermediaries provide?
Technical assistance can include marketing guidance, management help, and other forms of training and advising intended to strengthen a borrower’s ability to start, operate, and grow successfully.
Why does the program pair financing with technical assistance?
The program is designed around the idea that financing alone is often not enough for very small or early-stage businesses. Pairing capital with hands-on support can improve business outcomes and help reduce the risk of default.
Does SBA provide support or training to intermediary lenders?
Yes. SBA will provide training for intermediary lenders themselves to support consistent, effective program delivery.
How many awards does the agency anticipate making?
The agency anticipates making about 138 awards.
What is the maximum (ceiling) award amount?
The award ceiling is 3,000,000 dollars.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed is 59.046.
What category is this opportunity listed under?
The opportunity is listed under the Business and Commerce category.
When was the opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on 2026-06-04.
When is the original closing date?
The original closing date is 2026-06-05.
How long is the submission window based on the provided dates?
Based on the posted source data, the opportunity appears to have a very short submission window, with creation on 2026-06-04 and an original closing date of 2026-06-05.
Is this described as a discretionary grant opportunity?
Yes. The information provided describes it as a discretionary SBA grant opportunity.
Who ultimately benefits from this opportunity?
While eligible applicants are nonprofit (and certain quasi-governmental) intermediary lenders, the ultimate intended beneficiaries are small business borrowers in credit-constrained communities, including entrepreneurs and small business owners who may not qualify for traditional financing.
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