# Small-Business Funding News and Grant Deadlines: Week of November 2, 2026

> This week's small-business funding news and grant deadlines, each checked on the official source.

By Elie Mendlow · Published October 30, 2026
Section: Business Funding › Grants
Canonical: https://mcafax.com/notebook/small-business-funding-news-week-of-2026-11-02
Source: MCAFax, The Broker's Notebook (https://mcafax.com/notebook). MCAFax is not a lender or a law firm.

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## Short answer
For the week of November 2, 2026, the nearest federal deadline is NSF SBIR/STTR on Wednesday, November 4, followed by USDA SBIR Phase II on November 17. Three more programs close or change on November 30, including an SBA surety bond fee increase. Every item below was checked on its official page on October 30, 2026.

## Grant deadlines this week and next
- **NSF SBIR/STTR (America's Seed Fund) - full proposals due November 4, 2026, 5 pm submitter's local time** (U.S. National Science Foundation, NSF 26-510). Who: startups and small businesses doing high-risk technology R&D. Amount: each company can receive up to $2 million for R&D; NSF takes no equity. Next dates: March 4, 2027 and July 7, 2027. Source: https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/small-business-innovation-research-small-business-technology
- **USDA NIFA SBIR/STTR Phase II - closes November 17, 2026** (USDA-NIFA-SBIR-012221). Who: previous USDA SBIR/STTR Phase I winners only. Amount: $600,000 to $650,000 per award; about $24.75 million total; no match required. Source: https://www.nifa.usda.gov/grants/funding-opportunities/small-business-innovation-research-small-business-technology
- **Montana Tribal Tourism Small Business Grant - closes November 30, 2026, 11:59 pm** (Montana Department of Commerce). Who: enrolled citizens, 18 or older, of the 12 federally recognized tribes in Montana with a startup or expanding tourism business. Amount: up to $10,000, no match; $240,000 total for fiscal year 2026; about 24 awards. Requires a State of Montana OKTA account and proof of tribal enrollment. Source: https://redesign-commerce.mt.gov/Business/Indian-Country/Indian-Country-Financial-Assistance/Tribal-Tourism-Small-Business-Grant
- **Mecklenburg County, Virginia Small Business Assistance Grants - due November 30, 2026** (county economic development). Includes a Business Growth Grant of up to $50,000 in 1:1 matching funds (4 awards), plus e-commerce, home-based business transition and tourism grants. Source: https://investinmeckva.com/small-business-assistance-grants/

## SBA and regulator updates
- **SBA surety bond guarantee fees rise for bonds approved on or after November 30, 2026** (Federal Register, October 30, 2026). In the Prior Approval program the surety fee goes from 20 percent to 26 percent of the bond premium and the contractor fee from $6.00 to $7.29 per thousand dollars of contract amount. Manufacturing projects (NAICS 31-33) and the Preferred program stay at 20 percent and $6.00. Small contractors who need bonding should budget for this. Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/10/30/2026-22177/surety-bond-guarantee-program-fees
- **SBA Optional Peg Rate is 5.00 percent for October-December** (Federal Register, October 1, 2026). This is a base rate that can be used for SBA fluctuating-rate guaranteed loans. Lender loans that fund part of an SBA 504 project are capped at 6 percent over New York Prime, or the state limit if lower. Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/10/01/2026-20080/interest-rates
- **Military Reservist EIDL is open nationwide** (SBA notice, effective October 1, 2026). Small businesses whose essential employee is called to active service for more than 30 consecutive days can apply for working-capital loans, up to one year after the employee is released. Current rate: 4 percent. Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/10/05/2026-20343/the-entire-united-states-and-us-territories-military-reservist-economic-injury-disaster-loan-program

## MCA-scam and regulatory news
- **Los Angeles Times on cash advances (October 28, 2026).** The paper reports California small businesses increasingly turning to merchant cash advances. One Long Beach studio borrowed $11,850 and closed owing more than $34,000 after daily withdrawals of over $300. Source: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-10-28/small-business-merchant-cash-advances-risks
- **FTC Yellowstone Capital refunds, third round.** The FTC is sending 3,759 more checks totaling over $549,000 to businesses that cashed earlier refund checks; the FTC says to cash a check within 90 days. Source: https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/refunds/yellowstone-capital-refunds

## FAQ
Q: What small-business grant deadlines are this week?
A: The NSF SBIR/STTR full-proposal deadline is Wednesday, November 4, 2026 at 5 pm local time. USDA SBIR Phase II follows on November 17, and the Montana Tribal Tourism and Mecklenburg County, Virginia grants close November 30.

Q: Who can apply for USDA SBIR Phase II?
A: Only small businesses that already won a USDA SBIR or STTR Phase I award. Awards are 600,000 to 650,000 dollars with no match required.

Q: What is changing with SBA surety bonds?
A: For Prior Approval guarantees approved on or after November 30, 2026, the surety fee rises to 26 percent of the premium and the contractor fee to 7.29 dollars per thousand of contract amount. Manufacturing projects keep the old rates.

Q: What is the SBA Optional Peg Rate right now?
A: 5.00 percent for October through December 2026.

## Sources (all checked October 30, 2026)
1. https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/small-business-innovation-research-small-business-technology
2. https://www.nifa.usda.gov/grants/funding-opportunities/small-business-innovation-research-small-business-technology
3. https://redesign-commerce.mt.gov/Business/Indian-Country/Indian-Country-Financial-Assistance/Tribal-Tourism-Small-Business-Grant
4. https://investinmeckva.com/small-business-assistance-grants/
5. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/10/30/2026-22177/surety-bond-guarantee-program-fees
6. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/10/01/2026-20080/interest-rates
7. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/10/05/2026-20343/the-entire-united-states-and-us-territories-military-reservist-economic-injury-disaster-loan-program
8. https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-10-28/small-business-merchant-cash-advances-risks
9. https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/refunds/yellowstone-capital-refunds

## Where to go next
For the full map of funding options, start with our guide: https://mcafax.com/notebook/where-to-get-business-funding