Opportunity Information: Apply for OSBDC 2021 02
The Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) grant opportunity is a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) cooperative agreement intended to continue funding the nationwide SBDC network, which delivers hands-on business advising and training to small businesses and early-stage entrepreneurs. Authorized under Section 21(a) of the Small Business Act (15 USC 648), the program is described as SBA's largest matching grant and is designed to strengthen small business performance by supporting services that drive growth, expansion, innovation, productivity gains, and better management practices. The overall idea is to keep a coordinated service delivery system in place where small firms can access practical, high-quality business assistance that helps them start, stabilize, and scale.
This announcement invites applications specifically from organizations that are already SBDC recipient organizations under the program, meaning it is aimed at existing SBDC lead centers or current program operators rather than brand-new applicants. The SBA oversees the program at a national level, but the structure is explicitly partnership-based: SBDCs operate in collaboration with SBA's Office of Small Business Development Centers (OSBDC) and SBA District Offices, while also aligning with the priorities of state and local funding partners. In practice, that partnership model is meant to ensure the services offered by SBDCs match both federal small business goals and the economic development needs of the regions they serve.
The grant supports a broad, interconnected assistance system that links federal, state, and local government resources with those of universities and educational institutions and the private sector. Through that network, SBDCs provide business management guidance and other forms of technical assistance that can include topics like operations, marketing, financial planning, and broader strategic advising. The emphasis in the opportunity description is on delivering measurable, high-quality support that contributes to economic development outcomes, not just one-off counseling.
From the opportunity details provided, the funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, which generally implies ongoing federal involvement and coordination during performance, rather than a hands-off grant. The opportunity category is discretionary, and the activity focus is listed as Business and Commerce, with an additional tag referencing Opportunity Zone Benefits. The CFDA (now often referred to under Assistance Listings) number associated with the program is 59.037. The issuing agency is the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Key administrative details in the source data include an opportunity number listed as OSBDC 2021 02 (with the narrative also referencing OSBDC-2022-01), a creation date of October 1, 2020, and an original closing date of November 16, 2020. The expected number of awards is 46, and the listed award ceiling is $7,848,264. Eligibility is labeled as "Others," with the clarification in the narrative that applicants must be existing SBDC recipient organizations currently funded under the SBDC program, indicating this is a continuation/renewal-style competition or funding cycle for the established SBDC system rather than an open call for new entities.Apply for OSBDC 2021 02
- The Small Business Administration in the business and commerce, opportunity zone benefits sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Small Business Development Centers" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 59.037.
- This funding opportunity was created on Oct 01, 2020.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Nov 16, 2020. (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 $7,848,264.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 46 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) Cooperative Agreement FAQs
What is this SBDC grant opportunity?
This opportunity is a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) cooperative agreement intended to continue funding the nationwide Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) network. The network delivers hands-on business advising and training to small businesses and early-stage entrepreneurs, with an emphasis on practical, high-quality assistance that supports business growth, stability, and scaling.
What is the purpose of the SBDC program funding?
The program is designed to strengthen small business performance by supporting services that drive growth, expansion, innovation, productivity gains, and improved management practices. The overall intent is to maintain a coordinated service delivery system so small firms can access consistent, high-quality business assistance across regions.
What type of funding instrument is this?
The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement. This generally means the SBA expects ongoing federal involvement and coordination during the period of performance, rather than a purely hands-off relationship that can occur with some traditional grant structures.
Is this a discretionary or mandatory funding opportunity?
The opportunity category is listed as discretionary.
Who is eligible to apply?
Applicants must be existing SBDC recipient organizations currently funded under the SBDC program. The narrative makes clear this announcement is aimed at current SBDC lead centers or existing program operators, not brand-new applicants.
Can a new organization apply if it has never received SBDC funding before?
Based on the information provided, no. The announcement invites applications specifically from organizations that are already SBDC recipient organizations under the program.
What law authorizes this program?
The SBDC program is authorized under Section 21(a) of the Small Business Act (15 USC 648).
Which federal agency issues and oversees this opportunity?
The issuing agency is the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The SBA oversees the program at the national level through its Office of Small Business Development Centers (OSBDC), with SBDC operations also linked to SBA District Offices and state and local funding partners.
How does the SBDC partnership model work according to the announcement?
The structure is explicitly partnership-based. SBDCs operate in collaboration with SBA's OSBDC and SBA District Offices, while also aligning with the priorities of state and local funding partners. The intent is to ensure services reflect federal small business goals and the economic development needs of the regions served.
What types of services are supported by this funding?
The grant supports a broad assistance system that connects federal, state, and local government resources with universities and educational institutions and the private sector. Through this network, SBDCs provide business management guidance and technical assistance that can include operations, marketing, financial planning, and broader strategic advising.
Is the focus on one-time counseling, or longer-term outcomes?
The description emphasizes delivering measurable, high-quality support tied to economic development outcomes, rather than one-off counseling.
What is the activity focus or program area for this opportunity?
The activity focus is listed as Business and Commerce. The opportunity also includes an additional tag referencing Opportunity Zone Benefits.
What is the Assistance Listings (CFDA) number for this program?
The CFDA (often referred to now as the Assistance Listings number) associated with the program is 59.037.
What is the opportunity number?
The source data lists the opportunity number as OSBDC 2021 02, and the narrative also references OSBDC-2022-01.
When was this opportunity created and when did it close?
The creation date is listed as October 1, 2020, and the original closing date is listed as November 16, 2020.
How many awards are expected under this announcement?
The expected number of awards is 46.
What is the maximum award amount listed for this opportunity?
The award ceiling is listed as $7,848,264.
Does the opportunity description indicate this is continuation or renewal-style funding?
Yes. Eligibility is limited to existing SBDC recipient organizations currently funded under the program, which indicates this is a continuation/renewal-style competition or funding cycle supporting the established SBDC system rather than an open call to create new SBDC operators.
What is meant by SBA describing SBDC as its largest matching grant?
The announcement states the SBDC program is SBA's largest matching grant. The provided description does not add more detail on match structure or requirements, but it does characterize the program funding approach as matching in nature.
What is the overall goal of keeping the SBDC network funded?
The overall idea is to keep a coordinated, nationwide service delivery system in place so small businesses and early-stage entrepreneurs can access practical, high-quality business assistance that helps them start, stabilize, and scale.
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