Opportunity Information: Apply for PRIME 2014 01
Apply for PRIME 2014 01
- The Small Business Administration in the business and commerce sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Program for Investment in Microentrepreneurs PRIME" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 59.050 Prime Technical Assistance.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jul 8, 2014 and posted on Jun 6, 2014.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 16, 2014 The closing date is July 16, 2014 at 1159pm EST.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $3,500,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $350,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 40 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- See Synopsis
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
The Program for Investment in Microentrepreneurs (PRIME) grant opportunity, announced by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), was a discretionary funding competition designed to strengthen support systems for disadvantaged microentrepreneurs. The core purpose of the announcement was to solicit proposals from qualified organizations that provide microenterprise development services, with a focus on delivering assistance, training, and guidance either directly to disadvantaged microentrepreneurs or to other microenterprise development organizations that serve them. In practice, this program targeted the kinds of organizations that help very small businesses and self-employed individuals build skills, access resources, and improve their chances of long-term success, especially in communities that face economic barriers.
Funding under this opportunity was offered through cooperative agreements, meaning SBA expected an active partnership role rather than a simple pass-through grant. The funding activity category was listed as Business and Commerce, and the relevant CFDA number was 59.050 (PRIME Technical Assistance). A key feature of the opportunity was that it required cost sharing or matching, so applicants needed to contribute non-federal resources toward the project budget as part of the award structure. The total estimated funding available across all awards was $3.5 million, with an expectation of about 40 awards. Individual award amounts were anticipated to fall between $50,000 (the floor) and $350,000 (the ceiling), suggesting the program was set up to fund a range of project sizes, from smaller targeted technical assistance efforts to more robust initiatives with broader reach.
Eligibility was aimed at organizations and public entities actively engaged in microenterprise development. Specifically, SBA invited proposals from private, nonprofit microenterprise development organizations as well as microenterprise development programs operated by state, local, or tribal governments, including Indian tribes. The public synopsis indicated that additional eligibility details were provided in the full announcement, but the central theme was clear: applicants needed to be established entities with the capacity to deliver meaningful microenterprise technical assistance and guidance to disadvantaged entrepreneurs or to strengthen the ecosystem of organizations that provide that assistance.
From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity was identified as Funding Opportunity Number PRIME 2014 01. It was initially posted on June 6, 2014, with an original closing date of July 14, 2014, and a revised closing date of July 16, 2014 at 11:59 pm Eastern Time. The listing was archived on August 13, 2014. For support or questions, SBA directed applicants to the Microenterprise Development Branch, providing both an email address (prime@sba.gov) and a phone number ((202) 205-7528), including guidance for those who had trouble accessing the announcement electronically.
Overall, this PRIME opportunity was structured as a competitive federal investment intended to expand and improve technical assistance capacity for microentrepreneurs who are economically disadvantaged. By funding experienced nonprofit and government-affiliated microenterprise programs through cooperative agreements and requiring matching resources, SBA signaled an emphasis on leveraged impact, accountability, and collaboration to build stronger pathways for very small businesses and self-employment in underserved communities.
PRIME (Program for Investment in Microentrepreneurs) Grant Opportunity FAQs
What is the PRIME grant opportunity?
The Program for Investment in Microentrepreneurs (PRIME) was a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) discretionary funding competition intended to strengthen support systems for disadvantaged microentrepreneurs by funding organizations that provide microenterprise development services.
What was the purpose of this PRIME funding opportunity?
The announcement solicited proposals from qualified organizations to deliver microenterprise development services, including assistance, training, and guidance. These services could be provided either directly to disadvantaged microentrepreneurs or to other microenterprise development organizations that serve disadvantaged microentrepreneurs.
Who was this program designed to help?
The program focused on disadvantaged microentrepreneurs, particularly individuals and very small businesses in communities that face economic barriers. The goal was to improve their access to training, guidance, and support that can strengthen long-term business outcomes.
What type of award did SBA use for this opportunity?
Funding was offered through cooperative agreements, which indicates SBA expected an active partnership role in the project rather than a simple pass-through grant relationship.
What was the funding activity category for this opportunity?
The funding activity category was listed as Business and Commerce.
What CFDA number was associated with this PRIME opportunity?
The CFDA number listed for this opportunity was 59.050 (PRIME Technical Assistance).
Was cost sharing or matching required?
Yes. The opportunity required cost sharing or matching, meaning applicants needed to contribute non-federal resources toward the project budget as part of the award structure.
How much total funding was estimated to be available?
The total estimated funding available across all awards was $3.5 million.
How many awards were expected?
Approximately 40 awards were expected under this opportunity.
What was the anticipated award size range?
Individual awards were anticipated to range from $50,000 (minimum) to $350,000 (maximum), reflecting support for both smaller targeted projects and larger efforts with broader reach.
Who was eligible to apply?
Eligibility targeted organizations and public entities involved in microenterprise development, including private nonprofit microenterprise development organizations and microenterprise development programs operated by state, local, or tribal governments, including Indian tribes.
Were there additional eligibility requirements beyond the summary?
Yes. The synopsis indicated that additional eligibility details were provided in the full announcement. However, the main expectation was that applicants be established entities with the capacity to deliver meaningful microenterprise technical assistance and guidance, either directly to disadvantaged entrepreneurs or by strengthening organizations that serve them.
Could an applicant propose serving microentrepreneurs indirectly (through other organizations)?
Yes. The opportunity explicitly included proposals to provide assistance, training, and guidance to other microenterprise development organizations that, in turn, serve disadvantaged microentrepreneurs.
What was the Funding Opportunity Number?
The Funding Opportunity Number was PRIME 2014 01.
When was the opportunity posted?
The opportunity was initially posted on June 6, 2014.
What were the closing dates for applications?
The original closing date was July 14, 2014. The closing date was later revised to July 16, 2014 at 11:59 pm Eastern Time.
When was the listing archived?
The listing was archived on August 13, 2014.
Where could applicants get help or ask questions about the opportunity?
Applicants were directed to SBA's Microenterprise Development Branch. The contact email provided was prime@sba.gov, and the phone number provided was (202) 205-7528.
What should applicants do if they had trouble accessing the announcement electronically?
The opportunity materials included guidance to contact SBA for support if applicants had trouble accessing the announcement electronically, using the contact information provided for the Microenterprise Development Branch.
What kinds of services were emphasized under this PRIME opportunity?
The opportunity emphasized microenterprise development services such as technical assistance, training, and guidance designed to build skills, improve access to resources, and strengthen long-term viability for disadvantaged microentrepreneurs and the organizations that support them.
What was the overall intent behind structuring the awards as cooperative agreements with matching requirements?
Based on the description, SBA signaled an emphasis on collaboration, leveraged impact, accountability, and building capacity. Cooperative agreements implied SBA involvement, and matching requirements required applicants to contribute non-federal resources to support the project budget.
Browse more opportunities from the same agency: Small Business Administration
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Business and Commerce
Next opportunity: Importance of Cape Cod National Seashore to Staging Endangered Roseate Terns
Previous opportunity: BLM CO Wildlife Studies
USGrants.org Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for PRIME 2014 01
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (PRIME 2014 01) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| LEADERSHIP IN ECONOMIC GOVERNANCE (LEV) program in Ukraine Apply for RFA 121 14 000010 Funding Number: RFA 121 14 000010 Agency: Agency for International Development Category: Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $5,000,000 |
| Portable Assistance Program Apply for OSBDC 2014 03 Funding Number: OSBDC 2014 03 Agency: Small Business Administration Category: Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| SUNSHOT CATALYST PRIZE Apply for DE FOA 0001126 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001126 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Business and Commerce Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| 7j Management and Technical Assistance Services Apply for GCBD 7J 2014 01 Funding Number: GCBD 7J 2014 01 Agency: Small Business Administration Category: Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Womens Business Center Program Initial Grant Apply for OWBO 2014 01 Funding Number: OWBO 2014 01 Agency: Small Business Administration Category: Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $143,959 |
| Procurement Technical Assistance Program (PTAP) Apply for DLA PTAP OPTION1 Funding Number: DLA PTAP OPTION1 Agency: Defense Logistics Agency Category: Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $600,000 |
| Grants to Manufacturers of Certain Worsted Wool Fabrics 2014 Apply for ITA INA OTEXA 2014 2004216 Funding Number: ITA INA OTEXA 2014 2004216 Agency: Department of Commerce Category: Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $1,333,000 |
| KONBIT Apply for RFA 521 15 000002 Funding Number: RFA 521 15 000002 Agency: Haiti USAID Port Au Prince Category: Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $4,650,000 |
| Veteran Business Outreach Center Program Apply for VBOC 2015 02 Funding Number: VBOC 2015 02 Agency: Small Business Administration Category: Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $350,000 |
| Womens Business Center Renewal Grant Apply for OWBO 2015 02 Funding Number: OWBO 2015 02 Agency: Small Business Administration Category: Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $131,250 |
| FEDERAL AND STATE TECHNOLOGY PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM Apply for FAST 2015 R 0009 Funding Number: FAST 2015 R 0009 Agency: Small Business Administration Category: Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Procurement Technical Assistance Program (PTAP) Apply for DLA 20130412 IDAHO Funding Number: DLA 20130412 IDAHO Agency: Defense Logistics Agency Category: Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $600,000 |
| State Trade and Export Promotion Program Apply for OIT STEP 2015 01 Funding Number: OIT STEP 2015 01 Agency: Small Business Administration Category: Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| Womens Business Center Initial Grant Apply for OWBO 2015 01 Funding Number: OWBO 2015 01 Agency: Small Business Administration Category: Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $900,000 |
| Target 500 Billion U.S. India Trade Conference Apply for CRFP15 06 Funding Number: CRFP15 06 Agency: U.S. Mission to India Category: Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Portable Assistance Program Apply for OSBDC 2015 03 Funding Number: OSBDC 2015 03 Agency: Small Business Administration Category: Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Entrepreneurship in the MENA Region Apply for NEAAC ACMEPI 15 010 Funding Number: NEAAC ACMEPI 15 010 Agency: Near East Affairs Assistance Coordination Category: Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| Value Added Producer Grant Apply for RDBCP VAPG 2015 Funding Number: RDBCP VAPG 2015 Agency: Business and Cooperative Programs Category: Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Program for Investment in Microentrepreneurs (PRIME) Apply for PRIME 2015 01 Funding Number: PRIME 2015 01 Agency: Small Business Administration Category: Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Socially Disadvantaged Groups Grant Apply for RDBCP SDGG 2015 Funding Number: RDBCP SDGG 2015 Agency: Business and Cooperative Programs Category: Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $175,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Subscribe to Leads
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "PRIME 2014 01", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.