Last verified October 19, 2026 · How we verify

Small business grants in Maryland

As of October 2026, a Maryland small business can be matched against 161 programs: 13 Maryland state programs, 6 multi-state programs that include Maryland, 61 national programs open to MD businesses, and 81 federal grants via Grants.gov.

We track 13 Maryland state programs. 10 are open or verified right now and named below. Most of these programs never run an ad. The money is real, but nobody tells you it exists. That's the part we fixed.

Maryland state programs

National programs open to MD businesses

Federal grants via Grants.gov

Maryland programs by the numbers

Who funds them: 9 funders: Maryland Department of Commerce (2), Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) (1), Maryland Economic Development Corporation (MEDCO) (1), Maryland Energy Administration (1), and 5 more.
Award size: Most awards $100K to $950K.
Timing: 3 open now, 2 of them rolling. Soonest deadline: NourishMD Grant Program (DHCD), Nov 2, 2026. 7 between cycles; Maryland Manufacturing 4.0 lists its next window as “2027-08-02 (per page: next window opens August 2, 2027)”.
What they fund: Technology (5), Manufacturing (3), Food & Restaurant (1), Retail (1), Transportation & Trucking (1); 2 open to any industry.

All 10 Maryland state programs we can name

Only Maryland's own programs, open ones first. Each names its funder and links to the official page. Annual programs spend most of the year between windows; the date tells you when to be ready.

Program	Amount	Status	Built for	Official link
Build Our Future Grant Program Maryland Economic Development Corporation (MEDCO) Verified Oct 16, 2026	Up to $2,000,000 per entity per fiscal year (matching funds of 200%-400% of the grant required)	Rolling, apply anytime	A Maryland state grant program providing funding for innovation infrastructure projects intended to support growth in strategic technology sectors. Nearly $7 million was awarded in FY26 to transformative projects.	Official page ↗
Partnership for Workforce Quality (PWQ) Maryland Department of Commerce Verified Oct 17, 2026	up to $200,000 per year	Rolling, apply anytime	PWQ provides matching training grants to Maryland employers—particularly small businesses with 10+ employees in manufacturing and technology—to reimburse up to 50% of qualified worker training costs for new technologies and production processes.	Official page ↗
NourishMD Grant Program (DHCD) Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) Verified Oct 17, 2026	$25,000 – $150,000	Closes Nov 2, 2026	A targeted investment program designed to expand access to healthy and fresh foods in Maryland communities experiencing food insecurity by providing direct grants to eligible food retailers, including grocery stores, corner stores, co-ops, farm stands, and farmers' markets.	Official page ↗
Maryland Manufacturing 4.0 Maryland Department of Commerce Verified Oct 19, 2026	$25,000 to $500,000	Opens Aug 2, 2027	Annual grants of $25,000–$500,000 for existing Maryland manufacturers (3–250 employees) to invest in Industry 4.0 technologies, including machinery, robotics, software, AI, and digital business practices. The program requires matching funds (25% for small manufacturers, 50% for mid-sized) and supports automation, data analytics, and systems integration to improve productivity and competitiveness.	Official page ↗
African American Heritage Preservation Program Capital Grants (Maryland) Maryland Historical Trust and Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture Verified Oct 18, 2026	Up to $250,000 (no match required)	Between cycles Usually opens around April 2027, based on past rounds	Maryland's Speaker Adrienne A. Jones African American Heritage Preservation Program gives capital grants of up to $250,000, with no match required, for projects with a clear, direct connection to African American history, culture or heritage in Maryland. Nonprofits, local governments, businesses and individuals can apply; for religious properties, grants generally fund only structural or exterior work. The application opens in early April and is due July 1.	Official page ↗
Maryland Community Investment Venture (MCIV) Fund State of Maryland, Office of the Commissioner of Financial Regulation Verified Oct 10, 2026	up to $100,000	Opens Fall 2026	Grant program providing $25k–$50k to fintech firms to pilot innovative financial products and services in partnership with Maryland state-chartered banks and credit unions, focusing on expanding access to capital and financial services for small business owners in low- to moderate-income communities.	Official page ↗
Maryland Historical Trust Historic Preservation Capital Grant Program Maryland Historical Trust Verified Oct 18, 2026	Up to $100,000	Between cycles Usually opens around February 2027, based on past rounds	The Maryland Historical Trust's Historic Preservation Capital Grant Program funds urgent preservation of Maryland properties listed in or eligible for the National Register, by nonprofits, local governments, businesses and individuals: up to $100,000, with a 1:1 cash match for everyone except nonprofits. Funded properties convey a preservation easement to MHT. For religious properties, grants generally fund only structural or exterior work. The application opens in February, is due in March and awards come in June.	Official page ↗
UM Maryland Industrial Partnerships (MIPS) Program University System of Maryland / A. James Clark School of Engineering, University of Maryland Verified Oct 15, 2026	up to $100K per phase ($90K for start-ups)	Between cycles Usually opens around Spring 2027, based on past rounds	MIPS provides matching funds for university-based research projects that help Maryland companies develop new technology products and create jobs. Companies partner with University System of Maryland faculty to conduct translational research leading to new or improved products. The program has operated since 1987 and is open to any Maryland company willing to create jobs.	Official page ↗
Maryland Technology Internship Program (MTIP) State of Maryland (administered by UMBC) Verified Oct 19, 2026	Varies	Opens Spring 2027	The Maryland Technology Internship Program (MTIP) provides financial assistance to small businesses, start-ups, nonprofits, and state/local agencies in Maryland to hire paid technical interns. The goal is to retain top tech talent in the state by increasing the number of paid technical internships. It is administered by UMBC and funded by the State of Maryland.	Official page ↗
Medium-Duty and Heavy-Duty Zero-Emission Vehicle (MHD-ZEV) Grant Program Maryland Energy Administration Verified Oct 9, 2026	$10,000,000 for eligible vehicles and $2,500,000 for eligible charging infrastructure	Between cycles Usually opens around Summer 2027, based on past rounds	Competitive Maryland grants that help fleet operators, commercial and industrial businesses and farms buy medium- and heavy-duty zero-emission vehicles, with optional extra funding for charging. The FY27 round had $10 million for vehicles and $2.5 million for charging.	Official page ↗

We track 3 more Maryland programs that are not open, dated or verified closely enough to name here yet. The quiz still checks your business against them.

City and county programs in Maryland

Open only to businesses in one city, county or local area, so they are not counted in the Maryland totals above.

Facade Improvement Grant (FIG)
Baltimore Development Corporation (BDC)
City of Baltimore only
Up to $50,000 depending on property type (Citywide $10,000, $15,000 owner-occupied; up to $50,000 for shopping centers) · Official page ↗
Outdoor Spaces Grant (OSG)
Baltimore Development Corporation (BDC)
City of Baltimore only
Standard Award: $7,500; Owner-Occupied Award: $10,000 · Official page ↗
Small Business Marketing Grant (FY2027)
Garrett County Government, Maryland
Garrett County only
Maximum Grant Amount: $1,000 · Official page ↗
MDOT Purple Line Small Business Grant Program
Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) / Purple Line Transit Partners
Purple Line corridor in Prince George's and Montgomery counties only
Up to $50,000 per award · Official page ↗

Multi-state programs that include Maryland

Each of these covers more than three states, so we list them here instead of counting them as Maryland state programs.

Closes in 7 days
Northeast SARE Farming Community Grant Program
Northeast SARE
Covers 12 states (plus DC), including MD
Typically $250,000 to $500,000 per project; approximately $1,500,000 allocated this cycle · Closes Oct 26, 2026 · Official page ↗
Exploring and Enhancing Outdoor and Heritage Tourism in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed
National Park Service
Covers 6 states (plus DC), including MD
$10,000–$50,000 · Closes Nov 4, 2026 · Official page ↗
Northeast SARE Farmer Grant
Northeast SARE
Covers 12 states (plus DC), including MD
Awards range from $5,000 to $50,000 · Closes Dec 8, 2026 · Official page ↗
Restaurant Strong Fund Grant
The Greg Hill Foundation (with the Grubhub Community Fund)
Covers 48 states (plus DC), including MD
$5,000 · Between cycles (Usually opens around December 2026, based on past rounds) · Official page ↗
Northeast Dairy Farm Improvement and Modernization Grant
Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets)
Open in 11 states, including MD
Amount not stated · Reopens, date not announced yet · Official page ↗
Northeast Dairy Processor Modernization Grant
Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets)
Open in 11 states, including MD
Total funds available: $1,000,000 · Reopens, date not announced yet · Official page ↗

Also open to MD businesses: 61 national programs and 81 federal grants via Grants.gov. They are the same in every state, so we list them by who they fund: women-owned, veteran-owned, minority-owned, or by industry.

Every verified grant deadline in the next 90 days is on one page: the live deadlines list.

Open right now in Maryland

Build Our Future Grant Program: Up to $2,000,000 per entity per fiscal year (matching funds of 200%-400% of the grant required), rolling, apply anytime
Partnership for Workforce Quality (PWQ): up to $200,000 per year, rolling, apply anytime
NourishMD Grant Program (DHCD): $25,000 – $150,000, closes Nov 2, 2026

Maryland small business grants, program by program

Build Our Future Grant Program: Up to $2,000,000 per entity per fiscal year (matching funds of 200%-400% of the grant required)

Run by Maryland Economic Development Corporation (MEDCO). A Maryland state grant program providing funding for innovation infrastructure projects intended to support growth in strategic technology sectors. Nearly $7 million was awarded in FY26 to transformative projects. Verified against the funder's own page Oct 16, 2026. Official page ↗

Partnership for Workforce Quality (PWQ) (Maryland Department of Commerce): up to $200,000 per year

PWQ provides matching training grants to Maryland employers, particularly small businesses with 10+ employees in manufacturing and technology, to reimburse up to 50% of qualified worker training costs for new technologies and production processes. Verified against the funder's own page Oct 17, 2026. Official page ↗

NourishMD Grant Program (DHCD): $25,000 – $150,000, closes Nov 2, 2026

Run by Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). A targeted investment program designed to expand access to healthy and fresh foods in Maryland communities experiencing food insecurity by providing direct grants to eligible food retailers, including grocery stores, corner stores, co-ops, farm stands, and farmers' markets. Verified against the funder's own page Oct 17, 2026. Official page ↗

Maryland Manufacturing 4.0 (Maryland Department of Commerce): $25,000 to $500,000, closes Aug 31, 2027

Annual grants of $25,000–$500,000 for existing Maryland manufacturers (3–250 employees) to invest in Industry 4.0 technologies, including machinery, robotics, software, AI, and digital business practices. The program requires matching funds (25% for small manufacturers, 50% for mid-sized) and supports automation, data analytics, and systems integration to improve productivity and competitiveness. Verified against the funder's own page Oct 19, 2026. Official page ↗

African American Heritage Preservation Program Capital Grants (Maryland) (Maryland Historical Trust and Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture): Up to $250,000 (no match required), usually opens around April 2027, based on past rounds

Maryland's Speaker Adrienne A. Jones African American Heritage Preservation Program gives capital grants of up to $250,000, with no match required, for projects with a clear, direct connection to African American history, culture or heritage in Maryland. Nonprofits, local governments, businesses and individuals can apply; for religious properties, grants generally fund only structural or exterior work. The application opens in early April and is due July 1. Verified against the funder's own page Oct 18, 2026. Official page ↗

Maryland Community Investment Venture (MCIV) Fund (State of Maryland, Office of the Commissioner of Financial Regulation): up to $100,000, next window Fall 2026

Grant program providing $25k–$50k to fintech firms to pilot innovative financial products and services in partnership with Maryland state-chartered banks and credit unions, focusing on expanding access to capital and financial services for small business owners in low- to moderate-income communities. Verified against the funder's own page Oct 10, 2026. Official page ↗

Maryland Historical Trust Historic Preservation Capital Grant Program: Up to $100,000, usually opens around February 2027, based on past rounds

The Maryland Historical Trust's Historic Preservation Capital Grant Program funds urgent preservation of Maryland properties listed in or eligible for the National Register, by nonprofits, local governments, businesses and individuals: up to $100,000, with a 1:1 cash match for everyone except nonprofits. Funded properties convey a preservation easement to MHT. For religious properties, grants generally fund only structural or exterior work. The application opens in February, is due in March and awards come in June. Verified against the funder's own page Oct 18, 2026. Official page ↗

UM Maryland Industrial Partnerships (MIPS) Program (University System of Maryland / A. James Clark School of Engineering, University of Maryland): up to $100K per phase ($90K for start-ups), usually opens around Spring 2027, based on past rounds

MIPS provides matching funds for university-based research projects that help Maryland companies develop new technology products and create jobs. Companies partner with University System of Maryland faculty to conduct translational research leading to new or improved products. The program has operated since 1987 and is open to any Maryland company willing to create jobs. Verified against the funder's own page Oct 15, 2026. Official page ↗

Maryland Technology Internship Program (MTIP): Varies, next window Spring 2027

Run by State of Maryland (administered by UMBC). The Maryland Technology Internship Program (MTIP) provides financial assistance to small businesses, start-ups, nonprofits, and state/local agencies in Maryland to hire paid technical interns. The goal is to retain top tech talent in the state by increasing the number of paid technical internships. It is administered by UMBC and funded by the State of Maryland. Verified against the funder's own page Oct 19, 2026. Official page ↗

Medium-Duty and Heavy-Duty Zero-Emission Vehicle (MHD-ZEV) Grant Program (Maryland Energy Administration): $10,000,000 for eligible vehicles and $2,500,000 for eligible charging infrastructure, usually opens around Summer 2027, based on past rounds

Competitive Maryland grants that help fleet operators, commercial and industrial businesses and farms buy medium- and heavy-duty zero-emission vehicles, with optional extra funding for charging. The FY27 round had $10 million for vehicles and $2.5 million for charging. Verified against the funder's own page Oct 9, 2026. Official page ↗

More small business grant lists

Straight answers

Some of these say "between cycles." What do I do right now?

Get ready before the window opens. Maryland Manufacturing 4.0 lists its next window as “2027-08-02 (per page: next window opens August 2, 2027)”; Maryland Community Investment Venture (MCIV) Fund as “Fall 2026”. The owners who win are the ones whose applications are ready the week a window opens, not the ones who find out it existed the week it closed.

What's the difference between state, national, and federal programs?

State programs are run through Maryland agencies and partners and are limited to MD businesses or projects. Less competition. National programs are run by companies and foundations and are open to businesses in every state. Federal grants come through Grants.gov and tend to be larger and more paperwork-heavy.

Do I pay these back? How current is this list?

No. Grants are not loans. Each row shows the date we last checked it against the funder's own page. How we verify.

Which of these fit your Maryland business?

This page can't read your business. The 3-minute quiz can. It matches your industry, state, and ownership against all 161 programs and shows you where you stand.

See how many grants fit my business