# MBDA Rural Business Center Program

Source: https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/mbda-obc-2025-1002158-mbda-rural-business-center-program/  
Official notice: https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/358220

> Minority Business Development Agency offered grants to the applicants described in the notice. It expected to make about 50 awards. Applications closed on February 3, 2025.

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Opportunity number | MBDA-OBC-2025-1002158 |
| Agency | Minority Business Development Agency |
| Status | Forecast |
| Deadline | February 3, 2025 |
| Award ceiling | not stated |
| Award floor | not stated |
| Expected awards | 50 |
| Total funding | not stated |
| Cost sharing | not required |
| Assistance Listings | 11.805 |

## Who can apply

- Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)

Under the MBDA Act (15 USC 9551), eligible applicants are limited to: (1) a “minority-serving institution” (as defined by 15 U.S.C. 9551(5)), or(2) a “consortium of higher education institutions that is led by a minority-serving institution.” Under 15 U.S.C. 9551(5), the term “minority-serving institution” is defined as an institution described in any of paragraphs (1) through (7) of section 371(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1067q(a)) (detailed below). Note: In a consortium application, there must be a designated lead applicant; the lead applicant would enter into the award agreement with MBDA and assume primary operational and financial responsibility for completing the project should an award be made. The lead applicant must be a “minority-serving institution” as defined by 15 U.S.C. 9551(5). Requests from individuals will not be considered for funding. See Section III.A, below.

## What the grant funds

The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), a bureau of the U.S. Department of Commerce, through the Rural MBDA Business Center Program, will provide awards to support technical assistance, capacity building, and entrepreneurial development services to rural Minority Business Enterprises (RMBEs) at all stages, from ideation to maturity.

## Questions people ask

### Is MBDA-OBC-2025-1002158 still open?

No. It closed on February 3, 2025.

### Who can apply for MBDA Rural Business Center Program?

Minority Business Development Agency accepted applications from the applicants described in the notice. The notice adds further conditions, so read its eligibility section.

### What is the deadline for MBDA Rural Business Center Program?

Closed February 3, 2025. Applications are no longer accepted; the program's newer notices are on this page when there are any.

### Who has won MBDA Business Center Program grants before?

The largest recipients over five fiscal years were The Enterprise Center Community Development Corporation, Asian Inc, Business Outreach Center Network, Inc. The program made 122 awards worth $104 million in that time.