Applications are open for the 2021 Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) grant competition.
The application is available for businesses who are able to open and operate an MBDA Advanced Manufacturing Center. The business must be able to provide business development, technical assistance, and manufacturing assistance to minority business enterprises (MBEs).
If you are eligible to apply, submit your proposal to Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on Thursday, April 8, 2021. The MBDA will grant funds to four businesses that are ready to open MBDA Advanced Manufacturing Centers.
To learn more about the process, you can register to attend the pre-application conference. This will take place on Friday, March 12, 2021, at 2-3 pm ET. You can review the full Notice of Funding Opportunity announcement for more details.
If you’re a first-time applicant, here are five steps to get you started.
1. Register Your Business
First, you must register your business to apply for an MBDA grant. Obtain a Dun & Bradstreet D-U-N-S (DUNS) number so that your application can be tracked. The DUNS number is a nine-digit ID that is unique for each business. These numbers can often be used by third parties to help predict the financial stability of a company.
Next register with System for Award Management (SAM). It’s a free website for current
and potential government vendors. Vendors must register in SAM to be awarded contracts by the Government. Make sure you have an Employer Identification Number and the authorizing official for your organization to complete the registration process and create a Grants.gov account.2. Research the Minority Business Development Agency Grant Program
MBDA promotes the growth of minority-owned businesses. It’s the only federal agency solely dedicated to the growth of minority business enterprises, according to the website. You can find a center in a location that has a large concentration of underrepresented populations and businesses.
When you’re working on an MBDA Business Center grant competition, you can check out the MBDA website. There are videos and resources that can help you with your proposal. It’s important to learn more about the program you are applying to before you submit your application. You can also visit the frequently asked questions section of the website.
3. Attend a Pre-Application Presentation
If you want to learn more about the MBDA Advanced Manufacturing Center grant, attend the upcoming teleconference. You can also visit the grant webpage to obtain a pre-application presentation. There’s a video available that explains the Grant Process.
4. Understand Requirements and Selection Process
Read the requirements. You want to make sure you put yourself in the best position to qualify for the
grant. Always check the eligibility, pay attention to the deadline, and take note of the selection process. When your draft is complete, review your application to ensure that you’ve checked off all requirements.5. Submit Minority Business Development Agency Grant Application
The final step of the process is to hit the submit button. Go to Grants.gov and submit your application. Print confirmation of submission or take a sufficient screenshot for your records. It’s important that you submit your application prior to the deadline to qualify. The deadline for the 2021 Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) grant competition is on April 8, 2021, at 11:59 PM EST.