Small Business Grants

How to Apply for Nebraska Small Business Assistance Act (NSBAA) Grants

Nebraska entrepreneurs, take note: the Nebraska Small Business Assistance Act (NSBAA) program, created under Legislative Bill 450, is entering its closing phase as of November 2026, after the Act was repealed and funding was cut, according to GROW Nebraska. If you applied before or are already in the pipeline, there is still hope, as support is continuing through residual funds, according to GROW Nebraska.

What Was the NSBAA Program?

Purpose & History

The NSBAA was designed to stimulate small-business growth across Nebraska by offering both grants and professional services.
It officially began under LB 450 and has been administered in partnership with GROW Nebraska Foundation. (opportunity.nebraska.gov)
In its fully operational phase, the program offered three “tracks”:
1. Professional services only
2. Grants (new business or existing business)
3. Both services + grants (Silicon Prairie News)

Program Funding & Reach

The Nebraska Legislature initially authorized US$ 4.2 million for 2023–2024.
By mid‑2024 (Q2), 194 grants totaling US$ 3.55 million had been awarded to over 50 of Nebraska’s 93 counties.
Average grant size worked out to around US$ 18,315. (nebraskalegislature.gov)

Sunsetting the Program

As of October 31, 2026, the program held its final Program Review Committee, allocating the last of the available funds.
The Act has been repealed, and regular grant cycles have ended. (GROW Nebraska)
For those still interested, SourceLink Nebraska remains a recommended resource to find alternate small‑business support.
Going forward, limited assistance continues, funded by remaining NSBAA money:
- Business planning help via the Nebraska Small Business Development Center
- Loan‑equity enhancements through GROW Nebraska / Nebraska Enterprise Fund and the Center for Rural Affairs (GROW Nebraska)

Who Was Eligible for NSBAA Support?

Business & Personal Criteria
To be eligible, applicants had to meet several criteria:

For‑profit business located in Nebraska
At most five full-time equivalent (FTE) employees, not counting the owner. (opportunity.nebraska.gov)
Owner must be 19 years or older, U.S. resident, and not hold a majority (51% or more) ownership in another business. (GROW Nebraska)

New Business (Startup) Grants

Up to US$ 25,000 awarded. (opportunity.nebraska.gov)
Applicant’s adjusted gross income (AGI) for the prior year must be ≤ US$ 55,000.
Personal net worth (excluding primary residence) must be ≤ US$ 200,000.
Must be working with a recognized service provider (i.e., GROW Nebraska or partner). (GROW Nebraska)

Existing Business Grants

For businesses up to five years old.
Growth limit: gross revenue must have grown by no more than 25% in the most recent calendar year.
Personal net worth (excluding residence) must also be ≤ US$ 200,000. (GROW Nebraska)

Professional Services Only Track

Eligible services included accounting, budgeting, tax preparation, payroll, website help, LLC formation, strategic planning, and technology coaching.
These services were delivered via a network of statewide providers, including GROW Nebraska, the Women’s Business Center, Nebraska Enterprise Fund, and the Center for Rural Affairs. (opportunity.nebraska.gov)

How to Apply

Application Cycles (2026)

A key application window opened on March 31, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. CDT.
This round was very limited: only 60 completed applications would be accepted.
Given the high demand, applicants were strongly encouraged to prepare in advance: eligibility, business plan, financials, and projections.
Importantly: only first‑time applicants were eligible. Those who had previously been denied or referred to business planning were allowed to reapply, but prior NSBAA recipients were not eligible in this cycle. (Silicon Prairie News)

Closing & Wrap‑Up

As noted above, no further full application cycles are expected in 2026. (GROW Nebraska)
Program resources are being moved toward business planning and loan‑equity assistance rather than direct grant funding. (GROW Nebraska)
If you missed the grant window, you can still access support through GROW Nebraska’s network and through SourceLink Nebraska. (GROW Nebraska)

Why This Matters Now: The Urgency & the Opportunity

The NSBAA offered rare, no‑repayment financial support through both grants and hands-on professional services. Many small business owners, especially in underserved or rural communities, found this a powerful boost, according to Silicon Prairie News.
With the program’s sunset imminent, those who qualified but haven’t yet applied may have missed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Even if you didn’t apply or weren’t accepted, residual funds are being used to strengthen planning support for Nebraska entrepreneurs, which can pay dividends for future business success.

What to Do If You’re Interested

Check GROW Nebraska’s Website:
Visit the [GROW Nebraska NSBAA page](https://grownebraska.org/nebraska-small-business-assistance-act/) for current program news, updates on residual support, and contact info. (GROW Nebraska)
Connect with Local Resource Providers:
Use SourceLink Nebraska to find service partners, local economic development offices, business incubators, and other support tailored to your region.
Prepare Your Business Plan:
If you’re working with one of the program’s providers, sharpen your plan: define target customers, develop 3-year revenue projections, and map out your path to “shovel readiness.” (opportunity.nebraska.gov)
Look at Alternative Programs:
Even though NSBAA grants are winding down, other small business support programs remain. SourceLink can help you explore gap financing, technical assistance, and other state or private grant opportunities. (GROW Nebraska)

Explore NSBAA Resources and GROW Nebraska Assistance

If you’re a Nebraskan entrepreneur or small business owner, the NSBAA program represented a lifeline. Even though the main grant window is closing, there is still a path forward. By working with GROW Nebraska and its network, you can tap into planning help and potential loan enhancements. Don’t let this moment pass without checking whether support is still available for you.