Opportunity Information: Apply for SB OCAPR 23 001
PRIME 2023-01 (Funding Opportunity Number: SB OCAPR 23 001) is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) focused on strengthening microenterprise development and expanding support for disadvantaged microentrepreneurs. The core goal is to fund organizations that provide hands-on assistance, training, technical guidance, and other forms of support that help very small businesses and early-stage entrepreneurs start, stabilize, or grow. The opportunity is designed to reach entrepreneurs who face barriers to traditional business support or financing, and it also allows for work that strengthens the capacity of microenterprise development organizations themselves so they can serve more clients or deliver higher-quality services.
Applicants are expected to be organizations with a clear mission and track record (or strong plan) for microenterprise development. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (excluding higher education institutions), public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, and public housing authorities or Indian housing authorities. The announcement also explicitly welcomes proposals from microenterprise development programs operated by state, local, tribal governments, or Indian tribes, provided their proposed work aligns with the program purpose of assisting disadvantaged microentrepreneurs and/or supporting microenterprise development organizations.
The funding instrument is a grant, and the funding activity categories span business and commerce, community development, education, and other related areas, reflecting the practical mix of services often required to help microentrepreneurs succeed. The assistance contemplated by the program generally centers on the kinds of direct, client-facing supports that microbusiness owners need to become viable, such as business training, one-on-one counseling or coaching, operational guidance, and connections to resources. Because the opportunity also references support to microenterprise development organizations, proposals may include elements that improve service delivery capacity, program quality, or reach, as long as those elements are clearly tied to serving disadvantaged microentrepreneurs and accomplishing the purposes outlined in the SBA announcement.
For this cycle, the award ceiling is $400,000 per award, with an anticipated 30 awards in total. The opportunity was created on April 18, 2023, with an original closing date of May 18, 2023. The program is associated with CFDA number 59.050. Overall, PRIME 2023-01 is structured to channel federal resources to mission-driven organizations and eligible public entities that can deliver practical, outcomes-oriented microenterprise development services, particularly for underserved entrepreneurs and communities.Apply for SB OCAPR 23 001
- The Small Business Administration in the business and commerce, community development, education, other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "PRIME 2023-01" 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 Apr 18, 2023.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 18, 2023 No Explanation. (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 $400,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 30 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education.
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PRIME 2023-01 (SB OCAPR 23 001) - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is PRIME 2023-01 (Funding Opportunity Number: SB OCAPR 23 001)?
PRIME 2023-01 is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). It is focused on strengthening microenterprise development and expanding support for disadvantaged microentrepreneurs through hands-on business assistance and related services.
What is the main purpose of this grant opportunity?
The core goal is to fund eligible organizations that help very small businesses and early-stage entrepreneurs start, stabilize, or grow. The grant supports practical, outcomes-oriented services that address barriers entrepreneurs face in accessing traditional business support or financing.
Who is the federal agency offering this funding?
The funding is offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
Is PRIME 2023-01 a grant or a contract?
The funding instrument for PRIME 2023-01 is a grant.
What types of activities or services does the program support?
The opportunity supports direct, client-facing assistance for microentrepreneurs, including hands-on assistance, training, technical guidance, and other support services that help microbusinesses become viable and grow.
What are examples of the kinds of direct support mentioned in the announcement?
The announcement references services such as business training, one-on-one counseling or coaching, operational guidance, and connections to resources that microbusiness owners need to succeed.
Does the program focus on a particular group of entrepreneurs?
Yes. The opportunity is designed to reach disadvantaged microentrepreneurs, particularly entrepreneurs who face barriers to traditional business support or financing.
Can grant-funded work include strengthening the capacity of microenterprise development organizations?
Yes. The opportunity allows for work that strengthens the capacity of microenterprise development organizations so they can serve more clients or deliver higher-quality services, as long as those improvements are clearly tied to serving disadvantaged microentrepreneurs and meeting the program purpose.
Who is eligible to apply for PRIME 2023-01?
Eligible applicants include:
- Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (excluding higher education institutions)
- Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
- Federally recognized Native American tribal governments
- Public housing authorities or Indian housing authorities
Are higher education institutions eligible?
Yes, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education are listed as eligible applicants. However, nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status are eligible only if they are not higher education institutions (as stated in the eligibility description).
Are tribal governments eligible to apply?
Yes. Federally recognized Native American tribal governments are eligible applicants.
Are public housing authorities eligible to apply?
Yes. Public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities are included in the list of eligible applicants.
Can state, local, or tribal government-operated microenterprise development programs apply?
The announcement explicitly welcomes proposals from microenterprise development programs operated by state, local, tribal governments, or Indian tribes, provided the proposed work aligns with the program purpose of assisting disadvantaged microentrepreneurs and/or supporting microenterprise development organizations.
What kinds of organizations does SBA expect to apply?
Applicants are expected to be organizations with a clear mission and track record (or a strong plan) for microenterprise development.
What is the maximum award amount?
The award ceiling is $400,000 per award.
How many awards does SBA anticipate making?
The opportunity anticipates 30 awards in total.
What are the funding activity categories associated with this opportunity?
The funding activity categories span business and commerce, community development, education, and other related areas. This reflects the mix of services often needed to support microentrepreneurs.
What is the CFDA number associated with this program?
The program is associated with CFDA number 59.050.
When was this funding opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on April 18, 2023.
What was the original closing date for this opportunity?
The original closing date listed for this cycle was May 18, 2023.
What does it mean that this is a discretionary grant opportunity?
Based on the description provided, the opportunity is identified as discretionary, meaning SBA is offering grant funding through a competitive grant process rather than through automatic/formula-based distribution.
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