Grants, loans, tax credits and help programs for Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky + Tennessee businesses. Every listing links to the official program, says who can really apply, and shows when we last checked it.
Ohio TechCred reimburses employers for approved technology-focused training credentials. It is a training reimbursement program, not a grant, open to Ohio employers of all sizes and industries.
Up to $1,000 per person per credential; up to $30,000 per application.
Applications are accepted from 2026-10-01 at 9:00 AM ET through 2026-10-30 at 3:00 PM ET.
For-profit Kentucky-based or relocating companies with qualifying federal SBIR/STTR awards.
What it pays for
A federal SBIR/STTR award is required first. The match supports commercialization.
Dates
Opened 2026-08-31. Deadline is 2026-10-26 at 11:59 PM.
How to apply
Apply through KY Innovation. Details on who submits are not published.
Before you apply
You need a qualifying federal SBIR/STTR award before you can apply. This program is only for for-profit companies.
This is a competitive, reimbursable match, so approval is not certain.
The program says it normally offers two application windows each year. Dates for 2027 have not been announced yet.
Open nowTennesseeGrant
Tennessee Agricultural Enterprise Fund (AEF)
A reimbursement grant for Tennessee agricultural, food or forestry projects that add value or process farm products to raise farm income, market access, capacity or innovation.
Up to $499,999. AEF may fund no more than 25% of total project budget. $1 million lifetime program cap.
Open for the next quarterly review. The deadline is 2026-10-10 at 11:59 PM Central. Status was last checked 2026-10-02.
Tennessee agricultural, food or forestry businesses, farmers, nonprofits, local governments, or projects located in Tennessee.
What it pays for
Value-added or processing projects that increase farm income, market access, capacity or agricultural innovation. Investment and Tennessee-input requirements apply.
Dates
The next deadline is 2026-10-10 at 11:59 PM Central. The program reviews applications quarterly. 2027 round dates are not published.
How to apply
Submit the Tennessee Department of Agriculture AEF application. The applicant submits it.
Before you apply
This program is only for agriculture, food or forestry projects. Other kinds of businesses are not a fit.
This program is competitive. An applicant investment is required. Impact tracking applies. At least 25% of inputs must be Tennessee agricultural inputs unless that is impracticable.
Funding for 2027 has not been announced yet. Awards reimburse approved purchases made during the contract period.
Rolling intakeIndianaGrant
Manufacturing Readiness Grants
A grant for Indiana manufacturers that invest in smart manufacturing technology. It is run through Conexus.
Amount varies. The award cap and any match requirement are not published.
The application form was active on 2026-09-30, and the state was still funding select applications. No closing date is published.
Capital investments in smart manufacturing technology. The project must be a technical investment project.
Dates
Rolling while the application form stays active. No closing date is published. Last checked 2026-09-30. 2027 renewal is unconfirmed.
How to apply
Use the Conexus apply link. The application form is on the Conexus Indiana website.
Before you apply
The award cap and match are not published. Check the current fact sheet before you plan your budget.
Not every application is funded. The acceptance rate is not published.
Funding for 2027 has not been confirmed. The form could close, so confirm it is still active before you start.
Rolling intakeIndianaLoan / financing
Indiana Energy Efficiency Fund IEEF
A commercial energy loan program with a possible grant component, for Indiana commercial facilities doing energy audits, efficiency upgrades and retrofits.
Loan terms and any grant amount are not published.
The Indiana energy office listed the commercial program as open and rolling when last checked on 2026-09-29.
Most for-profit Kentucky businesses with 50 or fewer full-time employees.
What it pays for
At least 1 net new full-time employee sustained for 1 year, and at least $5,000 in qualifying equipment or technology investment. A wage minimum applies.
Dates
Apply by 2026-11-01 for full review for 2026 tax-credit eligibility. Later applications may apply to the 2027 tax year.
How to apply
Apply through the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development / KY Innovation.
Before you apply
This is a tax credit, not a cash grant.
You must show jobs, investment, and documentation. Approval is not guaranteed.
Applying after 2026-11-01 may move the credit to the 2027 tax year.
Rolling intakeTennesseeOther
Fund Tennessee (SSBCI)
Fund Tennessee (SSBCI) offers loans, equity investment, and capital-readiness help to Tennessee small businesses and entrepreneurs. It is financing, not a grant.
State allocation of approximately $116.9 million across capital and technical-assistance categories. Individual terms vary.
Funds were being deployed statewide as of 2026-10-02. No fixed deadline is published. Timing depends on the lender or fund.
International trade expansion. Applicants provide business background and export activity documents.
Dates
No dates published for 2026 or 2027. The 2027 renewal is unconfirmed.
How to apply
Apply through the IEDC STEP portal.
Before you apply
Confirm remaining funds with IEDC before you count on reimbursement.
Expect to document your export activity and your costs. The acceptance rate is not published.
Funding for 2027 has not been confirmed yet.
Check with programIndianaGrant
Indiana SBIR/STTR Matching
A matching grant for Indiana-headquartered businesses that already hold a federal SBIR/STTR award.
Phase I up to $50k. Phase II up to $75k. Lifetime limit of $150k.
The program is described, but no open window or dates are published. Funding and timing were last checked 2026-09-29 and still need to be confirmed with the program.
Ohio businesses in target industries, in business at least 1 year, with Ohio revenue of $100k–$25m. Retail, restaurants, and professional services are excluded.
What it pays for
Eligible expansion fixed assets, equipment, and training.
Dates
No deadline is published on the intake form. Funding for 2027 has not been confirmed.
How to apply
Submit the JobsOhio intake form.
Before you apply
Confirm that award funds are available with JobsOhio before you apply.
Check that your business is in a target industry and ask about regional partner review.
Meeting the minimums does not guarantee an award. Projects and industries are screened.
Check with programOhioGrant
JobsOhio Economic Development Grant
A project-based grant for companies in target industries that are expanding and creating jobs. Retail and population-driven businesses are generally not eligible.
Project-specific. The amount depends on the project. No set dollar range is published.
No application window or deadline is published. Last checked 2026-09-29. Confirm with JobsOhio that it is accepting applications.
Eligible established Ohio minority-owned businesses. The requirement is at least 3 years.
What it pays for
Business expansion and eligible financing. The requirement is at least 3 years.
Dates
No dates published.
How to apply
Apply through the Ohio Department of Development. The process includes certification and underwriting.
Before you apply
This is a loan, not a grant.
Expect certification and underwriting. Confirm current terms with the Ohio Department of Development before you apply.
No application dates are published.
Check with programIndiana, Ohio, Kentucky + TennesseeGrant
Federal SBIR/STTR
A competitive research and development grant program for qualifying US small businesses doing scientific R&D, with each opportunity set by the agency running it.
Award amounts and terms depend on the agency and the solicitation. No single amount is published.
There is no single open window. Each solicitation has its own status, so no universal open status was found as of 2026-09-29.
Qualifying US small businesses performing scientific R&D.
What it pays for
Research and commercialization work. It is not for general business operations.
Dates
Dates are set by each agency. No universal dates are published. Last checked 2026-09-29.
How to apply
Apply through the SBA program portal. Requirements and steps vary by agency solicitation.
Before you apply
This is a technical R&D proposal reviewed by the agency. Expect to prove eligibility and meet each agency's evaluation standards.
Check each agency's current solicitations for open dates and deadlines before you plan around this program.
Award odds are not published, so do not assume you will be funded.
Check with programIndiana, Ohio, Kentucky + TennesseeLoan / financing
USDA Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program RMAP
RMAP funds microenterprise development organizations that lend to rural microbusinesses. A business owner borrows from one of these organizations, not from USDA directly.
Microloans up to $50,000. The award to the intermediary varies. Microloans are repayable.
A USDA federal funding listing showed open as of 2026-09-29. Access through a local intermediary and the current deadline are not confirmed.
Qualified microenterprise development organizations apply for the award. Rural microbusinesses borrow from the organization, which is called an intermediary.
What it pays for
Rural microenterprise lending and technical assistance.
Dates
No application deadline is published. Confirm the current deadline with your USDA Rural Development state office. Last checked 2026-09-29.
How to apply
Applications go through the USDA Rural Development state office. Organizations apply for the award. Business owners work with a local intermediary.
Before you apply
This is not a direct business grant. It is a loan you must repay, and you borrow through an intermediary.
Intermediaries must meet qualifications, and the business must meet rural eligibility rules.
Confirm the 2026 funding notice and the current deadline with the USDA Rural Development state office. Funding for 2027 has not been confirmed.
Check with programIndiana, Ohio, Kentucky + TennesseeGrant
EDA Build to Scale Venture Challenge
A grant program for organizations that support technology-based entrepreneurial ecosystems and commercialization. It funds intermediaries, not individual startups.
Build, Scale and Ignite tiers. Current award amounts are not confirmed.
The program exists, but the current round was not confirmed as of 2026-09-29. No open window or dates are published.
Residential efficiency and electrical contractors.
What it pays for
Train, test and certify energy contractors.
Dates
No dates published. Dates for 2026 and 2027 are to be determined. Funding for 2027 has not been confirmed.
How to apply
The application route is the Indiana Office of Energy Development. The application is not yet published.
Before you apply
This program is listed, but availability has not been announced as of 2026-09-29. Check with the Indiana Office of Energy Development before you plan around it.
Expect trade-specific training requirements. The current application is not yet published, so the full requirements are not known.
Check with the Indiana Office of Energy Development to see whether applications have opened.
Check with programIndianaOther
Indiana Innovation Voucher
An Indiana innovation funding or service voucher for high-potential startups and entrepreneurs, aimed at innovation commercialization and technical support.
The award amount is not published.
As of 2026-09-29, this program is listed, but whether it is taking applications is not confirmed. Funding for 2027 has not been announced.
Indiana high-potential startups and entrepreneurs. Innovation qualification and project requirements are not published.
What it pays for
Innovation commercialization and technical support. Project requirements are not published.
Dates
No dates published for 2026 or 2027. Last checked 2026-09-29.
How to apply
Start with IEDC entrepreneurship programs. Whether applications are being accepted is not confirmed. Application steps are not published.
Before you apply
Confirm with IEDC whether applications are being accepted before you plan around this program.
It is not yet clear whether this is a direct cash award or a voucher for services. Ask IEDC before you apply.
Innovation qualification and project requirements are not published, so ask IEDC what you must show.
Check with programOhioGrant
Ohio Third Frontier Technology Validation and Start-up Fund TVSF
A technology commercialization grant for eligible Ohio research institutions and qualifying startups that are bringing institutional technologies to market. It is not general startup funding.
Award amounts are set for each round. Check the current RFP for the amount.
A 2025 round is documented. A 2026 intake has not been confirmed as of 2026-09-29. A 2027 renewal has not been announced.
Eligible Ohio research institutions and qualifying startups.
What it pays for
Commercialization of institutional technologies and startup licensing.
Dates
A 2025 round is documented. The current deadline is not published. Last checked 2026-09-29.
How to apply
Applications are announced through the Ohio Department of Development. Check the announcement for the current steps and who submits.
Before you apply
Confirm that an RFP is active with the Ohio Department of Development before you plan around this program.
This fund needs IP and licensing tied to a technology validation effort. It is not open to every startup.
The award amount changes by round, so check the current RFP for the exact figure.
Check with programKentuckyGrant
Kentucky STEP Export Grants
Export reimbursement and grant assistance for eligible Kentucky small businesses pursuing export activities, offered through the Kentucky Export Initiative.
The business-level reimbursement amount is not published. The SBA FY24 state award was $400,000.
The program is listed as available annually. No current business intake deadline is published, and 2027 funding is unconfirmed as of 2026-10-02.
Collaborations of two or more Indiana ESOs. A for-profit business cannot lead the application.
What it pays for
Entrepreneur education, tech, and acceleration programs run by two or more Indiana ESOs.
Dates
2026 deadline was 2026-03-02. 2026 awards were announced 2026-07-06. The REaP cohort begins 2026-10-01.
How to apply
Applications went through the IEDC Community Collaboration Fund program. ESO collaborations apply, not individual businesses.
Before you apply
This fund is for ESO collaborations. If you own a business, look for an ESO program that was funded, such as REaP, which serves Rush, Fayette, and Henry Counties.
A partnership and matching funds are required. The acceptance rate is not published.
Funding for 2027 has not been announced yet. Check with the program before planning around it.
ClosedIndianaGrant
FHLBank Indianapolis Elevate
A grant program for Indiana for-profit small businesses, applied for through a participating FHLBI member bank.
Up to $20,000 per small business. A member may request one $20,000 award or two $10,000 awards.
The 2026 application window closed at end of day 2026-10-01. Awards are scheduled for 2026-10-22. A 2027 round has not been confirmed.
Indiana for-profit small businesses with Indiana headquarters, under current ownership since 2025-09-01, and gross annual revenue over $20,000 and under $1 million.
What it pays for
Capital expenditures, workforce training and other approved expenses. The business must meet at least one program priority. Eligible expenses run 2026-09-01 through 2027-03-31.
Dates
2026 window opened 2026-09-07 and closed at end of day 2026-10-01. Awards are scheduled for 2026-10-22.
How to apply
Apply through a participating member bank. The member institution selects the business and submits the application.
Before you apply
The 2026 window is closed, and a 2027 round has not been announced. Check the official program page for updates.
You cannot apply on your own. A participating member bank must select and submit your business, and must document all four eligibility requirements and at least one program priority.
The acceptance rate is not published, and the application window was short. Talk to a participating bank early if a new round opens.
ClosedOhioOther
Minority Business Assistance Center FY27 RFP
This is an Ohio contract opportunity (RFP) for eligible entrepreneur-support providers to deliver business assistance center services. It is not a grant for individual small businesses.
Award terms are listed in the FY27 RFP. Amounts are not published here.
The FY27 proposal deadline of 2026-05-29 has passed. FY27 is confirmed. The next RFP has not been announced.
Eligible entrepreneur-support providers. Individual small businesses cannot apply.
What it pays for
Provide business assistance center services.
Dates
Proposals were due 2026-05-29. The FY27 period runs 2026-07-01 to 2027-06-30.
How to apply
Eligible providers respond to the Ohio FY27 RFP.
Before you apply
This is a contract for service providers, not a grant for individual small businesses.
If you own a small business, you cannot apply.
The FY27 proposal deadline passed. The next RFP has not been announced.
ClosedIndiana, Ohio, Kentucky + TennesseeGrant
USDA Rural Business Development Grants
A grant that goes to rural nonprofits, public bodies, and tribes, not to for-profit businesses directly. It pays for training, technical assistance, and rural economic development.
No universal maximum. Smaller requests are prioritized.
The 2026 round closed in both states after the 2026-06-15 and 2026-06-30 deadlines. Funding for 2027 has not been announced yet.
Nonprofits, cooperatives, public agencies, and tribes that re-lend to businesses.
What it pays for
Rural business lending.
Dates
The last published Ohio deadline, 2026-09-30, has passed. The next deadline is not published.
How to apply
The application route is the USDA state office.
Before you apply
This is a loan program, not a direct business grant. Loans to businesses are repayable.
The Open label on the Ohio page is not a new round. Contact USDA Ohio for the next deadline.
Whether the program continues in 2027 is unconfirmed.
Watch list
Recently closed
These rounds are closed. We keep them here because many come back each year.
Indiana + OhioGrant
USDA REAP energy grants
USDA REAP offers grants and guaranteed loans for energy efficiency and renewable energy. The guaranteed loan is a loan, not a grant. It is for agricultural producers and eligible rural small businesses.
As of 2026-09-29, grant intake is closed and guaranteed loans were being accepted.
We check every program against its official source and show the date we last checked it. Funding rules, amounts and deadlines change without notice, and none of this is legal, tax or financial advice. Always confirm the details with the program before you apply or spend money expecting an award.
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