LaunchVets

Deadlines

Veteran founder grant deadlines and open cycles

Currently open programs and cycles from the library. Rolling programs accept applications year-round. Cycle-based programs run to a schedule.

Every Monday morning we send a curated weekly digest of what closes next. Free.

Get Monday Deadlines Browse the full library
96
Rolling / year-round
96
Cycle-based
192
Total open

Rolling programs

No deadline pressure. Apply anytime.

Small BusinessCertificationGovernment Program
SBA 8(a) Business Development Program

U.S. Small Business Administration

BLUF
  • Time:Varies
  • Admittance:Application + Committee Selection
  • Funding:No Cash Award
  • Delivery:Hybrid
  • Academic:Light

Socially and economically disadvantaged small business owners; 9-year program providing mentorship and access to sole-source contracts.

Sole-source contract eligibility up to $7M (goods) / $4.5M (services)
Rolling · Rolling
See details Program page
Small Business+ Trades & ContractingCertificationGovernment Program
SBA HUBZone Program

U.S. Small Business Administration

BLUF
  • Time:4-8 hours
  • Admittance:Application + Eligibility-Based
  • Funding:No Cash Award
  • Delivery:N/A

Business located in a HUBZone (historically underutilized) area with 35%+ HUBZone employees.

Federal contracting set-aside eligibility
Rolling · Rolling
See details Program page
Small Business+ StartupCertificationGovernment ProgramSD required
SDVOSB Certification (VetCert)

SBA Office of Veterans Business Development

BLUF
  • Time:4-8 hours (application) + ~12 days SBA processing
  • Admittance:Application + Eligibility-Based
  • Funding:No Cash Award
  • Delivery:N/A

Service-disabled veteran (10%+ VA rating) with 51%+ ownership and control of the business. Self-certification for federal subcontracting and goaling ended December 22, 2024 (NDAA FY2024). SBA VetCert is now the only path.

Federal contracting set-aside eligibility. Federal government aims to award at least 5% of all federal prime contracting dollars to SDVOSBs annually (SBA official goal). VA sets aside at least 7% of its contracts specifically for certified VOSBs and SDVOSBs.
Rolling · Rolling
See details Program page
Small BusinessCertificationGovernment Program
VOSB Certification

SBA Office of Veterans Business Development

BLUF
  • Time:4-8 hours (application) + processing
  • Admittance:Application + Eligibility-Based
  • Funding:No Cash Award
  • Delivery:N/A

Veteran-owned (51%+) and controlled small business; no service-disability requirement.

VA contracting preference; agency-specific advantages
Rolling · Rolling
See details Program page
Small Business+ Trades & ContractingLoanGovernment Program
SBA 7(a) Loan: Veterans Advantage

U.S. Small Business Administration

BLUF
  • Time:20-60 hours (lender shop + underwriting)
  • Admittance:Application + Eligibility-Based
  • Funding:Loan
  • Delivery:Hybrid

Vet-owned business (51%+) seeking working capital, equipment, or real estate financing up to $5M.

Up to $5M; reduced/waived SBA guarantee fee for loans $150k+
Rolling · Rolling
See details Program page
Small Business+ Franchise & AcquisitionLoanGovernment Program
SBA 504 Loan Program

U.S. Small Business Administration

BLUF
  • Time:8-20 hours (application + closing)
  • Admittance:Application + Eligibility-Based
  • Funding:Loan
  • Delivery:N/A

Small businesses purchasing fixed assets (real estate, heavy equipment) up to $5.5M.

Up to $5.5M
Rolling · Rolling
See details Program page
Small Business+ Franchise & AcquisitionLoanGovernment Program
SBA Microloan Program

U.S. Small Business Administration

BLUF
  • Time:8-20 hours (application + closing)
  • Admittance:Application + Eligibility-Based
  • Funding:Loan
  • Delivery:N/A

Small startups and existing small businesses; loans up to $50k via nonprofit intermediaries.

Up to $50k
Rolling · Rolling
See details Program page
Small BusinessLoanGovernment Program
SBA Express Loan (Veterans Advantage)

U.S. Small Business Administration

BLUF
  • Time:8-20 hours (application + closing)
  • Admittance:Application + Eligibility-Based
  • Funding:Loan
  • Delivery:N/A

Vet-owned business needing fast working capital up to $500k.

Up to $500k; 36-hour SBA turnaround
Rolling · Rolling
See details Program page
Small Business+ StartupMentorshipTraining
Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOC)

U.S. Small Business Administration

BLUF
  • Time:Ongoing (free advising)
  • Admittance:Application
  • Funding:Pro BonoNon-dilutive
  • Delivery:Hybrid
  • Academic:Light

Vets, transitioning service members, military spouses. 28 regional centers + 1 national.

Free 1:1 advising, training, contracting guidance
Rolling · Rolling
See details Program page
Small Business+ NonprofitMentorshipPro Bono Services
SCORE Mentorship

SCORE (SBA Resource Partner)

BLUF
  • Time:Ongoing
  • Admittance:Application
  • Funding:Pro BonoNon-dilutive
  • Delivery:Remote
  • Academic:Light

Any small business owner; vet-specific mentor matching available.

Free 1:1 mentor access
Rolling · Rolling
See details Program page
Small Business+ StartupAccelerator
VetToCEO 7-Week Entrepreneurship Program

VetToCEO

BLUF
  • Time:40-60 hours (7-week program)
  • Admittance:Application + Committee Selection
  • Funding:In-KindNon-dilutive
  • Delivery:Remote
  • Academic:Moderate

Post-9/11 era veterans; competitive selection.

Free curriculum + alumni network
Rolling admission · Rolling; check vettoceo.org for the next cohort start.
See details Program page
Small BusinessNetwork
VetFran (IFA)

International Franchise Association

BLUF
  • Time:Varies (research + franchise diligence)
  • Admittance:Eligibility-Based
  • Funding:In-KindNon-dilutive
  • Delivery:Hybrid

Veterans buying franchises; 600+ franchise brands offer discounts/incentives.

No membership fee for veterans. Access to 650+ participating franchise brands offering a discount on the initial franchise fee.
Rolling · Rolling
See details Program page
See all 96 rolling programs

Cycle-based programs

These run cohorts, application windows, and pitch cycles. Check each program page for the current deadline.

Small Business+ StartupAccelerator
Military Founders Lab (IVMF)

IVMF at Syracuse University

BLUF
  • Time:60-150 hours (6-month cohort)
  • Admittance:Application + Interview
  • Funding:In-KindNon-dilutive
  • Delivery:Hybrid
  • Academic:Strong

Vets, active military, and military spouses with an active business idea. Successor to the former Veterans in Residence and Breaking Barriers in Entrepreneurship community programs.

Free WeWork access + curriculum + cohort + mentors
Multiple cycles · Cohort cycles, check IVMF site
See details Program page
Small Business+ StartupTraining
IVMF V-WISE: Veteran Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship

IVMF (Syracuse University)

BLUF
  • Time:80-120 hours (online + conference)
  • Admittance:Open Enrollment
  • Funding:In-KindNon-dilutive
  • Delivery:Hybrid
  • Academic:Strong

Women veterans, women active duty, female military spouses.

Free 15-day online + 3-day in-person conference + mentor matching
Multiple cycles · 2026 cohort sold out (Atlanta, April 2026). Interest form for 2027 cohort open now.
See details Program page
Small Business+ StartupCapitalMentorship
PenFed Foundation Veteran Entrepreneur Program (VEP)

PenFed Foundation

BLUF
  • Time:60-100 hours (application + diligence)
  • Admittance:Application + Interview
  • Funding:Equity Investment, Pro BonoNon-dilutive
  • Delivery:Hybrid
  • Academic:Moderate

Vet-owned businesses; competitive selection for funding + advisory.

Free 4-day intensive cohort per city, mentorship, and pathway into the Incubator/Accelerator tracks. See related PenFed VEP entries for track-specific award details.
Annual · Annual (check PenFed Foundation)
See details Program page
Small Business+ StartupPitch Competition
Veterans Business Battle

Rice University

BLUF
  • Time:40-80 hours (prep + pitch)
  • Admittance:Application + Committee Selection
  • Funding:Prize MoneyNon-dilutive
  • Delivery:In-Person
  • Academic:Strong

Vet-founded businesses pitching for capital investment.

Grant purse of $30,000 total awarded at the finals event ($15K first place, $10K second, $5K third). Separately, the program facilitates investor exposure and VC introductions worth substantially more than the grants themselves for finalists whose businesses align with panel investor theses. Prior 'investment pool $300K+' framing conflated grants with facilitated investment; the $30K is the guaranteed grant portion.
Annual (spring event, apps open in September) · Full applications open September 2026; pre-registration live now. Finalists compete for $30K grant purse plus investor exposure at April 2027 event.
See details Program page
Startup+ Hardware & ManufacturingGrantGovernment Program
SBIR Phase I (DoD)

Department of Defense

BLUF
  • Time:120-250 hours per proposal
  • Admittance:Application + Committee Selection + Eligibility-Based
  • Funding:Non-Dilutive GrantNon-dilutive
  • Delivery:N/A
  • Academic:Light

Small businesses (<500 employees) with majority US ownership; Phase I funds feasibility studies.

$50k - $250k for 6-12 months
Multiple cycles · Multiple per year via DoD components
See details Program page
Startup+ Hardware & ManufacturingGrantGovernment Program
SBIR Phase II (DoD)

Department of Defense

BLUF
  • Time:200-400 hours per proposal
  • Admittance:Eligibility-Based + Committee Selection
  • Funding:Non-Dilutive GrantNon-dilutive
  • Delivery:N/A
  • Academic:Light

Phase I awardees with demonstrated feasibility.

$750k - $1.8M for 24 months
Multiple cycles · Per Phase I completion
See details Program page
Startup+ Hardware & ManufacturingGrantGovernment Program
SBIR (NIH)

National Institutes of Health

BLUF
  • Time:150-300 hours per proposal
  • Admittance:Application + Committee Selection
  • Funding:Non-Dilutive GrantNon-dilutive
  • Delivery:N/A
  • Academic:Strong

Small businesses developing biomedical / health technologies.

Phase I up to $400k; Phase II up to $2M
Multiple cycles · Three cycles per year
See details Program page
Startup+ Hardware & ManufacturingGrantGovernment Program
SBIR (NSF)

National Science Foundation

BLUF
  • Time:80-160 hours (Project Pitch first, then proposal)
  • Admittance:Application + Committee Selection
  • Funding:Non-Dilutive GrantNon-dilutive
  • Delivery:N/A
  • Academic:Strong

Small businesses developing deep tech / commercial science applications.

Phase I up to $305k; Phase II up to $1M
Multiple cycles · Twice yearly
See details Program page
Startup+ Defense Tech & Dual-UseGrant
SBIR (DOE)

Department of Energy

BLUF
  • Time:20-60 hours (application + reporting)
  • Admittance:Application + Committee Selection
  • Funding:Non-Dilutive GrantNon-dilutive
  • Delivery:N/A
  • Academic:Light

Small businesses developing energy/clean tech.

Phase I up to $250k; Phase II up to $1.6M
Annual · Annual topic releases
See details Program page
Startup+ Defense Tech & Dual-UseGrant
SBIR (NASA)

NASA

BLUF
  • Time:20-60 hours (application + reporting)
  • Admittance:Application + Committee Selection
  • Funding:Non-Dilutive GrantNon-dilutive
  • Delivery:N/A
  • Academic:Light

Small businesses developing aerospace and space technology.

Phase I up to $150k; Phase II up to $850k
Annual · Annual
See details Program page
Startup+ Hardware & ManufacturingGrantGovernment Program
STTR (Small Business Technology Transfer)

Multiple federal agencies

BLUF
  • Time:150-300 hours per proposal
  • Admittance:Application + Committee Selection
  • Funding:Non-Dilutive GrantNon-dilutive
  • Delivery:N/A
  • Academic:Strong

Small businesses partnered with research institutions (university, federal lab); 30%+ work at research institution.

Similar to SBIR; agency-specific
Multiple cycles · Agency-specific
See details Program page
Startup+ Hardware & ManufacturingGrantGovernment Program
AFWERX (Air Force)

U.S. Air Force

BLUF
  • Time:60-200 hours per Open Topic
  • Admittance:Application + Eligibility-Based
  • Funding:Non-Dilutive GrantNon-dilutive
  • Delivery:Hybrid
  • Academic:Light

Small businesses; Open Topic and Direct-to-Phase-II paths.

Phase I $75k; Phase II up to $1.5M+; Strategic Funding Increase potential
Multiple cycles · Multiple per year
See details Program page
See all 96 cycle-based programs

Monday Deadlines

This week's grant, accelerator, and pitch cycle deadlines. Every Monday at 6am ET. Free. Cancel anytime.