Opportunity Information: Apply for PRIME 2019 01
The Program for Investment in Microentrepreneurs Act (PRIME) grant opportunity, Funding Opportunity No. PRIME-2019-01, is a discretionary grant program run by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to strengthen microenterprise support systems and expand assistance to disadvantaged entrepreneurs. Rooted in the PRIME Act of 1999 (Public Law 106-102; 15 U.S.C. 6901 note), the program is designed to channel federal resources to qualified organizations that deliver hands-on business training, technical assistance, and organizational capacity building aimed at helping very small businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs who face economic or geographic barriers.
The PRIME Act authorizes SBA funding in several broad areas: delivering training and technical assistance to disadvantaged entrepreneurs; providing training and capacity-building support to microenterprise development organizations (MDOs) and microenterprise development programs; supporting research and the development of best practices for microenterprise and technical assistance models; and other related activities that the SBA Administrator determines appropriate. In practice, this means SBA is looking for projects that either directly serve entrepreneurs with concrete business support or strengthen the organizations that provide those services so they can serve more people, improve quality, and operate more sustainably.
For FY2019, SBA structured this opportunity into two distinct tracks. Track 1, labeled Technical Assistance, focuses on direct services for disadvantaged entrepreneurs. Applicants under this track propose programs that teach practical business skills and provide targeted technical support. The notice highlights examples such as initiatives tailored to economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs in rural areas and programs that promote entrepreneurship in HUBZone communities. The intent is to fund projects that can meet entrepreneurs where they are, address real barriers to starting or growing a microbusiness, and deliver outcomes that are relevant to local conditions.
Track 2, labeled Capacity Building, targets the service providers rather than the entrepreneurs themselves. Under this track, funding supports training and capacity-building services for MDOs, microenterprise development programs, and groups or networks of such organizations. The core idea is to help these organizations improve their ability to deliver microenterprise training and technical assistance. Examples again emphasize rural and HUBZone-focused work, but the emphasis is on strengthening institutional capability, such as improving program design, staff skills, service delivery systems, partnerships, and other infrastructure needed to provide effective, scalable support to disadvantaged entrepreneurs.
Eligibility is limited and tied to the definitions and requirements in the Funding Opportunity announcement, with full criteria referenced in Section 3.0. The key restriction spelled out in the notice is that for-profit organizations and individual persons are not eligible to apply. The opportunity is therefore aimed at qualified nonprofit, quasi-governmental, or other mission-driven entities that fit SBA's eligibility requirements for PRIME and that can demonstrate the organizational readiness to carry out the proposed work.
Applications are evaluated based on alignment with the purposes of the PRIME Act and on how well the proposed project demonstrates mission-oriented, culturally competent services that reflect the demographics of the local communities being served. In other words, SBA is not just looking for generic business classes; it is looking for programs that are intentionally designed for the target population and that show an understanding of local needs, language, culture, and barriers to participation. The specific scoring and evaluation factors are detailed in Section 5.0 of the Funding Opportunity, but the summary makes clear that responsiveness to disadvantaged communities and the quality and relevance of the approach are central considerations.
Administratively, this is a grant (not a loan or contract) within the Business and Commerce activity category, listed under CFDA 59.050. The opportunity was posted with a creation date of May 10, 2019, and an original closing date of June 10, 2019. SBA anticipated making about 30 awards, with an award ceiling of $250,000 per award. Questions were directed to SBA's Office of Economic Opportunity via email at prime@sba.gov, which indicates that program-specific clarification and guidance were available through that office during the application period.Apply for PRIME 2019 01
- The Small Business Administration in the business and commerce sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Program for Investment in Microentrepreneurs Act" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 59.050.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 10, 2019.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 10, 2019. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $250,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 30 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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PRIME (Program for Investment in Microentrepreneurs) Grant (PRIME-2019-01) - FAQs
1) What is the PRIME grant opportunity (PRIME-2019-01)?
The Program for Investment in Microentrepreneurs Act (PRIME) grant opportunity, Funding Opportunity No. PRIME-2019-01, is a discretionary grant program run by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Its purpose is to strengthen microenterprise support systems and expand hands-on assistance to disadvantaged entrepreneurs, including very small businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs facing economic or geographic barriers.
2) What law authorizes the PRIME program?
The program is rooted in the PRIME Act of 1999 (Public Law 106-102; 15 U.S.C. 6901 note), which authorizes SBA to support specific categories of microenterprise training, technical assistance, and related capacity-building activities.
3) What kinds of activities can PRIME funding support?
The PRIME Act authorizes SBA funding in broad areas that include:
- Delivering training and technical assistance to disadvantaged entrepreneurs
- Providing training and capacity-building support to microenterprise development organizations (MDOs) and microenterprise development programs
- Supporting research and the development of best practices for microenterprise and technical assistance models
- Other related activities the SBA Administrator determines appropriate
4) Who is the PRIME program intended to help?
PRIME is designed to help disadvantaged entrepreneurs and very small businesses (microenterprises), as well as the organizations that serve them. The opportunity emphasizes reaching people who face economic barriers or geographic barriers (for example, rural communities) and communities such as HUBZone areas where targeted entrepreneurship support may be needed.
5) How is the FY2019 PRIME opportunity structured?
For FY2019, SBA structured PRIME-2019-01 into two separate tracks:
- Track 1: Technical Assistance (direct services to disadvantaged entrepreneurs)
- Track 2: Capacity Building (strengthening organizations that provide microenterprise services)
6) What is Track 1 (Technical Assistance)?
Track 1 focuses on direct assistance for disadvantaged entrepreneurs. Applicants propose programs that teach practical business skills and provide targeted technical support. The notice highlights examples such as initiatives tailored to economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs in rural areas and programs that promote entrepreneurship in HUBZone communities.
7) What is Track 2 (Capacity Building)?
Track 2 targets service providers rather than entrepreneurs. Funding supports training and capacity-building services for MDOs, microenterprise development programs, and groups or networks of such organizations. The goal is to improve their ability to deliver effective microenterprise training and technical assistance, including strengthening program design, staff skills, service delivery systems, partnerships, and supporting infrastructure.
8) How do I choose between Track 1 and Track 2?
Based on the notice, Track 1 is the fit if your proposal primarily delivers hands-on business training and technical assistance directly to disadvantaged entrepreneurs. Track 2 is the fit if your proposal primarily strengthens the capabilities of organizations (like MDOs and microenterprise development programs) so they can provide better or expanded services to disadvantaged entrepreneurs.
9) Are rural and HUBZone communities specifically mentioned in this opportunity?
Yes. The notice includes examples of projects tailored to economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs in rural areas and programs that promote entrepreneurship in HUBZone communities. These examples appear in descriptions for both tracks, indicating SBA interest in approaches that address barriers in these communities.
10) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited and is tied to the definitions and requirements in the Funding Opportunity Announcement (full criteria referenced in Section 3.0). The key restriction stated in the notice is that for-profit organizations and individual persons are not eligible to apply. The opportunity is aimed at qualified nonprofit, quasi-governmental, or other mission-driven entities that meet SBA's PRIME eligibility requirements and can carry out the proposed work.
11) Can a for-profit business apply for PRIME-2019-01?
No. The notice explicitly states that for-profit organizations are not eligible to apply.
12) Can an individual entrepreneur apply for PRIME-2019-01?
No. The notice explicitly states that individual persons are not eligible to apply.
13) What does SBA look for when evaluating applications?
Applications are evaluated based on alignment with the purposes of the PRIME Act and on how well the project demonstrates mission-oriented, culturally competent services that reflect the demographics of the local communities being served. The summary emphasizes that SBA is looking for intentional design for the target population, not generic business classes.
14) What is meant by "culturally competent" services in this opportunity?
As described in the notice, culturally competent services are those that reflect the demographics of the local communities being served and show an understanding of local needs, language, culture, and barriers to participation. The emphasis is on relevance and responsiveness to disadvantaged communities.
15) Where are the detailed scoring or evaluation factors listed?
The notice indicates that specific scoring and evaluation factors are detailed in Section 5.0 of the Funding Opportunity. The summary highlights that responsiveness to disadvantaged communities and the quality and relevance of the approach are central considerations.
16) Is PRIME-2019-01 a grant, loan, or contract?
It is a grant (not a loan or a contract).
17) What is the CFDA number and activity category for this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 59.050 and falls within the Business and Commerce activity category.
18) How many awards did SBA anticipate making under this opportunity?
SBA anticipated making about 30 awards.
19) What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $250,000 per award.
20) When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?
The opportunity creation (posting) date was May 10, 2019, and the original closing date was June 10, 2019.
21) What SBA office handled questions for PRIME-2019-01?
Questions were directed to SBA's Office of Economic Opportunity.
22) What email address was provided for questions?
The notice directed questions to prime@sba.gov.
23) Does the opportunity emphasize direct entrepreneur services or organizational strengthening?
Both. Track 1 emphasizes direct services to disadvantaged entrepreneurs through hands-on training and technical assistance. Track 2 emphasizes strengthening the organizations and networks that deliver microenterprise services, with the intent that improved capacity leads to better and broader support for disadvantaged entrepreneurs.
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