Sources of Information

U.S. Federal Agencies

The following federal agencies offer funding programs for which incubator projects might qualify.

• U.S. Department of Agriculture: Rural Development, Business and Cooperative Programs
  
• U.S. Department of Commerce: Economic Development Administration
  
• U.S. Department of Defense: Office of Economic Adjustment
  
• U.S. Department of Energy: Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
  
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Office of Community Services
  
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development: Office of Community Planning and Development
  
• U.S. Department of Transportation: Federal Highway Administration
  
• U.S. Small Business Administration

These regional agencies also may fund incubator projects:

• Appalachian Regional Commission
  
• Delta Regional Authority
  
• Denali Commission
  
• Tennessee Valley Authority

Notices of federal funding opportunities are posted on Grants.gov.

Details on specific funding programs through these agencies, including eligibility requirements and contact information, is available in the NBIA Quick Reference "Potential Sources of U.S. Federal Funds for Incubator Projects." Click here to order this PDF resource.

Foundations and Organizations

• HP Microenterprise Development Grants
  
• AT&T Excelerator Grants (ends after 2008)

International

• infoDev, a partnership among international development agencies and the World Bank

Suggestions of Other Potential Funding Sources

• State departments of economic development
  
• Federal or state earmarks (click here to find contact information for your federal representatives)
  
• Public utilities
  
• Banks
  
• Colleges and universities
  
• Read the Funding Notes to see how other incubators obtained funds.