SBA grant funding contest

Competition supports organizations that train service-disabled veteran entrepreneurs

WASHINGTON >> Nonprofit organizations, state and local agencies and institutions of higher learning are eligible to compete for funding of up to $150,000 to deliver entrepreneurship training to service-disabled veterans. The initiative was announced July 8 by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

A total of $300,000 will be awarded to up six recipients, to participate in the Service-Disabled Veteran Entrepreneurship Training Program with grants from SBA’s Office of Veterans Business Development.

The funds will be used to cover the costs of educating service-disabled veterans planning to start a new business or expand and diversify existing small businesses, according to a press release.

“Despite challenges they may face, service-disabled veterans have pursued entrepreneurship and established successful companies nationwide,” Larry Stubblefield, associate administrator for SBA’s office of veterans business development, said in the release. “We look forward to working with the awardees to provide more service-disabled veterans and their families with the training and resources they need to start or grow a small business.”

Applications for the ServiceDisabled Veteran Entrepreneurship Training Program funding opportunity must be submitted by eligible organizations through

Grants.gov, by Wednesday, July 24 at 11:59 p.m. Applications not submitted via Grants.gov will not be evaluated, according to the SBA.

Information about the program will be posted on grants.gov and www. sba.gov/ovbd.

The U.S. Small Business Administration empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster.

“We look forward to working with the awardees to provide more service-disabled veterans and their families with the training and resources they need to start or grow a small business.” — Larry Stubblefield, associate administrator for SBA’s Office of Veterans Business Development