SBA WBC Modernization Initiative FY26

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of Women’s Business Ownership (OWBO) has issued Notice of Funding Opportunity No. SB-OEDWB-26-002 for the Program Year 2026 Women’s Business Center (WBC) Modernization and Alignment initiative. Operating under a cooperative agreement, this initiative aims to establish a Lead Center Model supported by a network of Service Centers to deliver coordinated, statewide or territory-wide business services. Eligible applicants are limited to 501(c) non-profit organizations residing in Florida, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, the Virgin Islands, West Virginia, and Wyoming. The SBA expects to make up to eight awards using a population-based funding formula, ranging from $200,000 to $2,084,765. The period of performance is up to 60 months, consisting of a 12-month base period starting September 30, 2026, and up to four 12-month option periods. Awardees must meet non-federal matching requirements at a 1:2 ratio for the base year and first option year, and a 1:1 ratio for subsequent years, though matching waivers apply to the Virgin Islands under federal law. Selected Lead Centers will design integrated service delivery models to provide counseling, training, access to capital, and workforce support. They are also responsible for managing partner Service Centers, coordinating with SBA District Offices, and uploading key performance metrics—such as unique clients served, capital infusion, new business starts, and jobs supported—into the Nexus data management system. Applications must be submitted electronically via Grants.gov by August 10, 2026.

The U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Office of Women’s Business Ownership (OWBO) has issued Notice of Funding Opportunity No. SB-OEDWB-26-002 for the Women’s Business Center (WBC) Modernization and Alignment initiative. Designed to establish a Lead Center Model supported by local Service Centers, this initiative aims to deliver coordinated, statewide or territory-wide business services. The competition is restricted to eligible 501(c) non-profit organizations residing in Florida, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, the Virgin Islands, West Virginia, and Wyoming. The program's intended outcomes include ensuring consistent statewide coverage, expanding reach to rural areas, improving network performance, and reducing administrative overhead. Up to eight awards will be issued using a population-based funding formula, ranging from $200,000 to over $2 million. The project features a five-year period of performance commencing September 30, 2026, consisting of a 12-month base period and up to four 12-month option periods. Recipients must provide a non-Federal matching share on a 1:2 ratio for the first two years, transitioning to a 1:1 ratio for the subsequent three years, with waivers available for the Virgin Islands. Lead Centers are responsible for network management, data collection, and uploading key performance metrics—such as unique clients served, new business starts, capital infusion, and jobs supported—into the Nexus database. Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov by August 10, 2026. Proposals will be evaluated on project design, applicant capability, data collection plans, and financial capacity.