EDA Build to Scale 2026: NOFO, Deadlines, and How to Apply

EDA's Build to Scale program strengthens an entire regional startup ecosystem rather than funding one company. If you searched for the 2026 NOFO and found nothing, this page covers what the program funds, who can apply, how the cost share works, and where the notice appears.

What Build to Scale Funds

Build to Scale (B2S) is administered by the Economic Development Administration, an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce, under EDA's Regional Innovation Program authority. It funds the infrastructure that converts research and early-stage companies into regional economic growth: accelerators, proof-of-concept and commercialization programs, mentor networks, and investor pipelines.

One clarification saves wasted effort — B2S does not fund startups to develop products. If you are a company seeking R&D money, SBIR is the program you want. B2S funds the organizations that support those companies.

The Two Core Competitions

• Venture Challenge: Funds organizations that operate or scale entrepreneurship support — incubators and accelerators, proof-of-concept and commercialization programs, and mentor networks serving technology startups. Historically the larger of the two competitions.
• Capital Challenge: Funds work that increases the supply of risk capital in a region — forming and training angel networks, building investor pipelines, standing up early-stage funds, and educating new investors where capital is scarce.

EDA has added tracks in some cycles, including an Industry Challenge aimed at specific technology sectors. Read the current NOFO rather than assuming the structure is fixed at two competitions.

Typical Award Sizes

Historically, Venture Challenge awards have landed between $250,000 and $1 million over performance periods of up to three years, while Capital Challenge awards have tended to be smaller — often low-to-mid six figures. Every NOFO states an award floor and ceiling, and those published figures govern; treat historical ranges as planning context only.

The Cost-Share Requirement

This is where most applicants get caught. B2S generally requires at least a 1:1 non-federal match — a documented non-federal dollar for every federal dollar requested. Depending on the NOFO, match may include cash and certain in-kind contributions, but it must be committed, not aspirational.

EDA has in some cycles allowed reduced match for Tribal applicants and severely distressed regions. Confirm the terms in the live NOFO before building your budget, and secure written commitments from match partners early — assembling match is usually the longest lead-time item in a B2S application.

Who Is Eligible to Apply

• States, counties, cities, and other political subdivisions and their agencies
• Institutions of higher education and their consortia
• Economic development districts and economic development organizations
• Indian Tribes and tribal organizations
• Nonprofit organizations and associations, generally acting in cooperation with a political subdivision
• Regional coalitions and consortia combining these

For-profit companies are generally not eligible as lead applicants, though they routinely participate as partners, mentors, and service providers within a funded project. Verify against the eligibility section of the live NOFO — it is the controlling document.

What a NOFO Is

A Notice of Funding Opportunity is the government's formal announcement of a competition — the rulebook, not marketing copy. It sets eligible applicants, the award floor and ceiling, cost-share terms, the deadline, required forms, page limits, and the evaluation criteria with their point weights. If it is not in the NOFO, it is not a requirement.

Deadlines and How to Track the 2026 Announcement

There is no permanent Build to Scale deadline. EDA announces the competition annually, subject to congressional appropriations, and each year's NOFO sets the due date. Historically the notice has published in late winter or early spring with deadlines several weeks later, and the two competitions have sometimes carried different due dates. Be skeptical of specific dates on third-party sites — prior-year deadlines are often republished without context.

• Search Grants.gov for "Build to Scale" and save the search with email alerts enabled — it is both the official posting location and the submission portal.
• Check eda.gov, which hosts the program page and current opportunities. EDA typically runs informational webinars shortly after a NOFO publishes.
• Contact your EDA regional office. EDA operates six, and their staff can tell you whether a competition is expected and how your concept fits.
• Confirm the program is funded this cycle. B2S depends on annual appropriations, so a given year's competition can change in size or existence.

How to Apply

Applications go through Grants.gov, which requires an active SAM.gov registration and Unique Entity ID. SAM registration takes several weeks and must be renewed annually — start it before the NOFO drops. Our walkthrough of how to register on SAM.gov covers the steps and common rejection causes.

Application Tips

• Write to the point weights. If regional impact is worth 30 points, it deserves roughly 30 percent of your narrative. Reviewers score against criteria, not overall impression.
• Define the region concretely. Name counties and describe economic conditions with sourced data. Vague geography reads as an unfocused project.
• Show what happens after the grant ends. Sustainability past the performance period is scored — identify the revenue or institutional commitment that carries the work forward.
• Bring real partners. Signed commitment letters specifying each partner's contribution outperform generic support letters.
• Commit to measurable metrics. Companies served, jobs created, follow-on capital raised, and licenses executed are what EDA tracks.

While you wait for the next cycle, browse open federal funding opportunities on GrantLocate. If you are a company rather than a support organization, start with top federal grants for startups in 2026.