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 Ohio employers for approved technology-focused training credentials for current or prospective employees. It is a training reimbursement, not a grant.
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.
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.
Applications after 2026-11-01 may apply to the 2027 tax year. No separate 2027 round has been announced.
Open nowKentuckyGrant
Kentucky SBIR/STTR Matching Funds Program
A matching grant for Kentucky-based or relocating for-profit companies that already hold a qualifying federal SBIR/STTR award.
Up to $100,000 for Phase I. Up to $150,000 for Phase II.
Applications opened 2026-08-31 and close 2026-10-26 at 11:59 PM. Status was last checked 2026-10-02.
Ongoing. Dates depend on the lender or fund. Last checked 2026-10-02.
How to apply
Apply through Tennessee ECD / Fund Tennessee. The route depends on the lender or fund you choose.
Before you apply
This is not a direct grant program. Debt and equity go through underwriting.
AssistTN is technical assistance, not financing. Know which part you are applying for.
Terms and eligibility vary by lender or fund. Confirm the details with the program before you apply.
Rolling intakeTennesseeGrant
Innovation & Research for Industry Success (IRIS)
IRIS is a reimbursement grant for companies with a Tennessee physical presence that partner with Tennessee research institutions on collaborative R&D projects.
Minimum grant award $250,000. The award is based on the research-partner project cost.
The program was last checked on 2026-10-02 and was open with rolling intake. The program's continuation in 2027 has not been announced separately.
Companies with a Tennessee physical presence that partner with Tennessee research institutions.
What it pays for
Collaborative R&D, prototyping, pilot testing, and innovative tools, systems, or software. The company must substantially co-fund the project.
Dates
Intake has been rolling since 2025-07-01. No application deadline is published.
How to apply
Apply through the Tennessee ECD Office of Innovation.
Before you apply
This is not for early-stage or pre-revenue companies. Your company must have capital ready.
Only research-partner expenses are reimbursed.
This fits technology and R&D projects. It does not fit routine AI adoption or general operations. The program's continuation in 2027 has not been announced yet.
Rolling intakeIndianaTechnical assistance
Indiana SSBCI Technical Assistance Program
Free advising and training to help eligible Indiana entrepreneurs and small businesses get ready for and manage capital. It does not give cash.
Free advising and training. No cash award.
Intake and provider connections were available as of 2026-10-02. The end date is not published.
International trade expansion. Applicants provide business background and export activity documents.
Dates
No dates published.
How to apply
Apply through the IEDC STEP portal.
Before you apply
This is a reimbursement grant. It covers up to 80% of eligible costs, up to $15,000/calendar year. Documented activity is required. The acceptance rate is not published.
Confirm remaining funds and current intake with IEDC before you apply. The deadline and remaining funds are not published.
Funding for 2027 has not been confirmed.
Check with programIndianaGrant
Indiana SBIR/STTR Matching
A matching grant for Indiana-headquartered businesses that already hold a federal SBIR/STTR Phase I or Phase II award.
Phase I up to $50k; Phase II up to $75k; lifetime $150k.
Application timing is not published. Details were last checked on 2026-09-29.
Ohio businesses in target industries. Retail, restaurants, and professional services are excluded. Must be in business at least 1 year with Ohio revenue of $100k–$25m.
What it pays for
Eligible expansion fixed assets, equipment, and training.
Dates
No deadline published on the intake form. Last checked 2026-09-29. Funding for 2027 has not been confirmed.
How to apply
Use the JobsOhio intake form.
Before you apply
Confirm with JobsOhio that award funds are still available before you apply.
Confirm with JobsOhio whether your industry qualifies as a target industry.
Meeting the minimums does not guarantee an award. Projects and industries are screened.
Check with programOhioGrant
JobsOhio Economic Development Grant
A project-based grant from JobsOhio for companies in target industries that are expanding and creating jobs.
Award amounts are project-specific. No fixed amount is published.
No application window or deadline is published. Program details were last checked on 2026-09-29 and intake is not confirmed.
Companies in target industries with expansion and job creation plans. Retail and population-driven businesses are generally not eligible.
What it pays for
Fixed assets and infrastructure. Projects must meet commitments for the project, jobs, and payroll.
Dates
No dates published for 2026 or 2027. Whether the program renews for 2027 is unconfirmed.
How to apply
Apply through JobsOhio incentives. Confirm with JobsOhio how to start your application before you plan around it.
Before you apply
Retail and population-driven businesses are generally not eligible. Check that your industry is a target industry first.
Expect a review of jobs, wages, and return on investment. No acceptance rate is published.
Confirm with JobsOhio that they are taking applications, since no dates are published.
Check with programOhioLoan / financing
Minority Business Direct Loan
This is a loan, not a grant, for eligible established Ohio minority-owned businesses.
Up to $1.5m per official guidelines. This is a loan, not a grant.
No open window or deadline is published. Guidelines and a 2026 award are documented. Confirm that the program is accepting applications before you apply.
Eligible established Ohio minority-owned businesses. Businesses must have been operating for at least 3 years.
What it pays for
Business expansion and eligible financing. Businesses need 3 years or more in operation.
Dates
No dates published.
How to apply
Application route: Ohio Department of Development.
Before you apply
This is a loan, not a grant. Expect certification and underwriting.
Confirm current terms with the state before you apply.
No application dates are published, so check that the program is accepting applications.
Check with programIndiana, Ohio, Kentucky + TennesseeOther
USDA REAP energy grants
A USDA program with two parts: energy grants and guaranteed loans, for agricultural producers and eligible rural small businesses that want energy efficiency or renewable energy projects.
Grants: $1.5k–$500k for efficiency, $2.5k–$1m for renewable energy. Guaranteed loan amounts are not published.
As of 2026-09-29, grant intake is closed. Guaranteed loans are accepted. A guaranteed loan is a loan, not a grant.
Agricultural producers and eligible rural small businesses.
What it pays for
Energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Matching funds and an environmental review are required.
Dates
No 2027 grant dates are published. Last checked 2026-09-29.
How to apply
Apply through your USDA state office.
Before you apply
Grant intake is closed. Guaranteed loans are being accepted. A guaranteed loan is a loan, not a grant.
Funding for 2027 has not been announced yet, and renewal is unconfirmed.
Expect an energy audit, matching funds, and technical and environmental requirements.
Check with programIndiana, Ohio, Kentucky + TennesseeOther
USDA Rural Economic Development Loan & Grant
A USDA grant and loan program for eligible rural utilities, which fund job creation and retention projects. Businesses benefit indirectly. It is not a grant a business can apply for directly.
Utility intermediary: grant up to $300,000; loan up to $1 million. The ultimate recipient's first-time loan may be 0% and cover up to 80% of project costs.
The 2026-12-31 deadline is contingent on the FY2027 NOFO, which is still in clearance. Last checked 2026-10-01.
Eligible rural utilities apply. Businesses cannot apply directly. They benefit indirectly through utility-funded projects.
What it pays for
Job creation and retention through utility-funded projects.
Dates
2026-09-30 has passed. Next listed deadline: 2026-12-31, contingent on the FY2027 NOFO. Later listed dates 2027-03-31 and 2027-06-30 are also contingent on the FY2027 NOFO.
How to apply
The utility applies through the USDA state office. A business does not submit the application.
Before you apply
Businesses cannot apply directly. A rural utility must apply, and your business would benefit through a utility-funded project.
Do not count on the listed deadlines. They depend on the FY2027 NOFO, which is still in clearance.
The process involves a utility intermediary and a job creation requirement. Talk to the USDA state office and your utility early.
Check with programIndiana, Ohio, Kentucky + TennesseeGrant
Federal SBIR/STTR
A competitive federal research and development grant program for qualifying US small businesses doing scientific R&D, with each agency running its own solicitations.
Amounts and terms are set by each agency and solicitation. No single award amount is published.
There is no universal open status. Each agency's solicitation sets its own window. Last checked 2026-09-29.
Qualifying US small businesses performing scientific R&D.
What it pays for
Research and commercialization. It does not cover general business operations.
Dates
Dates are set by each agency. No single set of dates is published. Last checked 2026-09-29.
How to apply
Apply through the SBA program portal. Check each agency's current solicitation for its own steps.
Before you apply
This is a competitive grant, not general business funding. It is only for research and commercialization work.
Expect a technical R&D proposal, an eligibility review, and an agency evaluation.
Check current agency solicitations for open windows. Award odds are not published.
Check with programIndiana, Ohio, Kentucky + TennesseeLoan / financing
USDA Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (RMAP)
Qualified microenterprise development organizations can seek an intermediary grant, then lend to rural microbusinesses through repayable microloans. This is not a direct grant to a business.
Microloans up to $50,000. The intermediary award amount varies.
A USDA federal funding listing showed open on 2026-09-29, but that does not mean a loan is available to you. Local intermediary access is not confirmed.
Qualified microenterprise development organizations apply as intermediaries. Rural microbusinesses borrow from an intermediary.
What it pays for
Rural microenterprise lending and technical assistance.
Dates
Current deadline not published. Last checked 2026-09-29. Confirm the deadline with the USDA Rural Development state office.
How to apply
The route is the USDA Rural Development state office. Rural microbusinesses borrow from an intermediary.
Before you apply
This is a repayable loan through an intermediary, not a grant for your business.
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. Last checked 2026-09-29.
How to apply
Applications go through the Indiana Office of Energy Development. The current application is not published.
Before you apply
Do not treat this as open. It is listed, but availability is to be determined as of 2026-09-29.
The application is not published yet. Training requirements are specific to the trade.
The award amount is not published, and 2027 renewal is unconfirmed. Watch the Indiana Office of Energy Development for an opening.
Check with programIndianaOther
Indiana Innovation Voucher
The Indiana Innovation Voucher is innovation funding or a service voucher for Indiana high-potential startups and entrepreneurs. It supports innovation commercialization and technical support.
The award amount has not been confirmed.
The program is listed, but intake was not confirmed as of 2026-09-29. No application window is published.
Indiana small businesses. The business must be headquartered in Indiana, be for-profit, and be an ISBDC client.
What it pays for
Growth-oriented R&D, operations improvement, or technology implementation. You must use an Indiana vendor.
Dates
2026 round opened 2026-01-16 and closed 2026-02-18 at 4:59 PM ET. 2026 projects run 2026-07-01 to 2026-12-31.
How to apply
Apply through the Indiana SBDC INTAP page. A vendor quote is required, and the project uses one vendor.
Before you apply
This is not cash. Funds are paid directly to the vendor.
You need a vendor quote, and your project must use one Indiana vendor.
Funding for 2027 has not been announced. Do not assume 2026 dates will repeat. The acceptance rate is not published.
ClosedIndianaGrant
Community Collaboration Fund
A matching grant for collaborations of two or more Indiana ESOs. Individual businesses cannot apply, and a for-profit business cannot lead the application.
2026 awards ranged from $5k–$40k. A 25% match is required, including 15% cash.
The 2026 round closed after the 2026-03-02 deadline. Awards were announced 2026-07-06. Funding for 2027 has not been announced yet.
Indiana ESO collaborations with two or more Indiana ESOs. A for-profit business cannot lead the application.
What it pays for
Entrepreneur education, tech, and acceleration programs delivered by two or more Indiana ESOs. 2026 awards included AI in Action, AI Pocket Mentor and Builder's Room.
Dates
2026 application deadline was 2026-03-02. 2026 awards were announced 2026-07-06. The funded REaP cohort begins 2026-10-01.
How to apply
The route is the IEDC program announcement for the CCF. An eligible ESO collaboration applies, not an individual business.
Before you apply
You cannot apply on your own. A partnership of two or more Indiana ESOs is required, and a for-profit cannot lead.
A 25% match is required, including 15% cash. The acceptance rate is not published.
Funding for 2027 is not confirmed. If you are a business owner, ask a local ESO whether it plans to apply. REaP, a funded project, serves Rush, Fayette and Henry Counties.
ClosedIndianaGrant
FHLBank Indianapolis Elevate
A grant of up to $20,000 for Indiana for-profit small businesses, offered through participating FHLBI member banks. The 2026 application window has closed.
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. Funding for 2027 has not been announced yet.
Indiana for-profit small businesses headquartered in Indiana, under current ownership since 2025-09-01, with 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 were scheduled for 2026-10-22.
How to apply
Applications go through a participating member bank. The member institution selects and submits the business.
Before you apply
All four eligibility requirements and at least one program priority must be documented. The business must apply through a participating member bank.
The acceptance rate is not published.
Renewal for 2027 is unconfirmed, so check with a participating member bank for future rounds.
ClosedOhioOther
Minority Business Assistance Center FY27 RFP
This is a contract bid (RFP) for organizations that provide business assistance center services. It is not a grant for individual small businesses.
Award terms are in the FY27 RFP. No dollar amount is published here.
The FY27 proposal deadline of 2026-05-29 has passed. FY27 is confirmed. The next RFP has not been confirmed.
Eligible entrepreneur-support providers only. Individual small businesses cannot apply.
What it pays for
Providing business assistance center services. This is an organizational contract, not funding for a business to spend on its own costs.
Dates
Proposals were due 2026-05-29. The FY27 term runs 2026-07-01 to 2027-06-30.
How to apply
Eligible providers respond to the Ohio FY27 RFP. The provider submits the proposal, not a small business owner.
Before you apply
This is not a business grant. Individual small businesses cannot apply.
A response needs an RFP proposal and the capacity to deliver services, so it suits support organizations only.
The next RFP has not been confirmed. Check with the program for future rounds.
ClosedIndiana, Ohio, Kentucky + TennesseeGrant
USDA Rural Business Development Grants
A USDA grant program that funds training, technical assistance and rural economic development through intermediary groups, not directly to for-profit businesses.
No universal maximum is published. Smaller requests are prioritized.
The 2026 round is closed in both states. The 2026 dates were 2026-06-15 for SECD and 2026-06-30 for other. Funding for 2027 is unconfirmed.
Eligible Tennessee pre-IPO startups and small businesses with qualifying federal commercialization awards.
What it pays for
Requires a qualifying federal award and a commercialization pathway. Recipients commit to a Tennessee headquarters and must report.
Dates
Applications open 2026-10-05 and close 2026-10-16.
How to apply
Apply through Launch Tennessee on the program page at https://launchtn.org/sbir-sttr-matching-fund/.
Before you apply
You need a federal award first. A qualifying Notice of Award is generally dated 2025-07-01 through 2026-09-30.
Selection is competitive, and priorities are applied among applicants.
Winners must keep their headquarters in Tennessee for 24 months after the award.
ClosedTennesseeGrant
Tennessee Agricultural Enterprise Fund (AEF)
A reimbursement grant for Tennessee agricultural, food or forestry projects that add value or processing, such as projects that raise farm income or open new markets.
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, with a deadline of 2026-10-10 at 11:59 PM Central. Status 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
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.
It is competitive. You must put in your own investment, track your impact, and use at least 25% Tennessee agricultural inputs unless that is impracticable.
Awards repay approved purchases made during the contract period. 2027 renewal is not confirmed, so do not count on a later round.
Read this first
Research, not a promise.
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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Most of these programs pay for equipment, training or technology. If you want help deciding what to build with it, book a free call with Jeremy.