Small Business Administration (SBA) Funding: Overview and Recent Trends (R43846, Updated March 12, 2026)
Summary
This Congressional Research Service report, R43846, "Small Business Administration (SBA) Funding: Overview and Recent Trends," by Anthony A. Cilluffo, R. Corinne Blackford and Adam G. Levin, was updated March 12, 2026. It states Congress appropriated $1.3 billion to the SBA in FY2026, including $330.0 million for entrepreneurial development programs, $323.1 million for salaries and expenses, $280.4 million for the disaster loan program and $38.6 million for the SBA Office of Inspector General. It reports the Administration requested a reduction to $0.8 billion and proposed ending 15 of SBA's 16 entrepreneurial development programs, keeping only the Small Business Development Centers program.
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“Small Business Administration (SBA) Funding: Overview and Recent Trends (R43846, Updated March 12, 2026).”
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Small Business Administration (SBA)
Funding: Overview and Recent Trends
Updated March 12, 2026
Congressional Research Service
https://crsreports.congress.gov
R43846
SUMMARY
R43846
Small Business Administration (SBA) Funding:
March 12, 2026
Overview and Recent Trends Anthony A. Cilluffo
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) operates several programs to assist small Analyst in Public Finance
businesses, as well as a program to help disaster survivors. The SBA’s budget reflects the
agency’s varied mission, and includes funding for business training programs, loan programs, R. Corinne Blackford
administrative costs, and the operations of two independent offices. Analyst in Small Business
and Economic
In FY2026, Congress appropriated $1.3 billion to the SBA. That amount consisted of Development Policy
• $330.0 million for entrepreneurial development programs, which includes 16 programs
Adam G. Levin
that help small businesses start, operate, and expand;
Analyst in Economic
• $323.1 million for salaries and expenses, including agency-wide services, the Development Policy
nationwide network of regional and district offices, and most daily operations;
• $280.4 million for the disaster loan program, including $75.0 million for the cost of
making direct disaster loans (the remainder for administrative costs);
• $161.0 million for business loan programs, the vast majority of which is used to support the costs of
administering those programs;
• $106.9 million for congressionally directed spending;
• $38.6 million for the SBA Office of Inspector General (OIG); and
• $10.1 million for the SBA Office of Advocacy (Advocacy).
The Administration requested a reduction in funding for SBA in FY2026 compared with the previous year (total request: $0.8
billion). In addition to reductions in administrative funds, the Administration proposed ending 15 of SBA’s 16
entrepreneurial development programs (keeping only the Small Business Development Centers [SBDCs] program), and
proposed a participation fee for business loan program lenders to offset SBA’s administrative costs. The House Financial
Services and General Government (FSGG) bill for FY2026 (total funding: $1.0 billion) proposed funding reductions
(although not as large as the Administration’s requested reductions) to many of the SBA’s programs, with the exception of
proposed increases for Native American, veterans outreach, and SBDC programs. The Senate FY2026 FSGG proposal (total
funding: $1.3 billion) would have generally maintained funding closer to FY2025 levels, though it would have reduced
administrative funding, increased funding for the OIG and Advocacy, and included congressionally directed spending. The
$1.3 billion included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 (P.L. 119-75) was generally closer to the Senate’s
proposal.
Over a longer period, total SBA appropriations have ranged from $571.8 million in FY2007 to more than $761.9 billion in
FY2020. This variation in the SBA’s annual budget is largely driven by responses to natural disasters and economic
downturns. The years when the SBA’s funding was highest include the years that the federal government responded to the
COVID-19 pandemic (FY2020 and FY2021), the Great Recession (FY2010 and FY2011), and large natural disasters
(including FY2025 and FY2018). Funding for the SBA’s core functions—including salaries and expenses, entrepreneurial
development programs, business loan administration, the OIG, and Advocacy—is more stable and generally increasing over
time.
Congressional Research Service
Small Business Administration (SBA) Funding: Overview and Recent Trends
Contents
Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 1
Debate Over FY2026 Funding ........................................................................................................ 1
FY2025 Funding ....................................................................................................................... 1
The Administration’s FY2026 Request ..................................................................................... 2
The House FY2026 FSGG Bill ................................................................................................. 2
The Senate FY2026 FSGG Bill................................................................................................. 3
SBA’s Enacted FY2026 Funding .............................................................................................. 3
Historical Funding and Program Overview ..................................................................................... 7
Salaries and Expenses ......................................................................................................... 9
Office of Inspector General................................................................................................. 9
Office of Advocacy ........................................................................................................... 10
Business Loan Credit Subsidies ........................................................................................ 10
Business Loan Administration ........................................................................................... 11
Disaster Assistance and Supplemental Appropriations ...................................................... 11
Other Programs .................................................................................................................. 11
Entrepreneurial Development Programs ....................................................................................... 12
Management and Technical Assistance Training Programs .................................................... 14
Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) ............................................................... 14
Microloan Technical Assistance........................................................................................ 14
Women’s Business Centers ............................................................................................... 15
Veterans Outreach ............................................................................................................. 15
SCORE.............................................................................................................................. 16
Native American Outreach ................................................................................................ 16
7(j) Technical Assistance/Empower to Grow .................................................................... 16
Entrepreneurship Education .............................................................................................. 16
Nontraining Programs ............................................................................................................. 17
HUBZone Administration ................................................................................................. 17
National Women’s Business Council ................................................................................ 17
Grant Programs ....................................................................................................................... 17
State Trade Expansion Program ........................................................................................ 17
Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program ............................................ 17
Growth Accelerator Fund Competition ............................................................................. 18
Regional Innovation Clusters ............................................................................................ 18
Program for Investment in Microentrepreneurs ................................................................ 18
Cybersecurity for Small Business Pilot Program .............................................................. 18
Tables
Table 1. Debate Over the SBA’s FY2026 Funding .......................................................................... 4
Table 2. Small Business Administration Funding, FY2000-FY2026 .............................................. 7
Table 3. Entrepreneurial Development Programs Detailed Funding, FY2016-FY2026 ............... 13
Table A-1. SBA-Related Appropriations Acts and Explanatory Statements, FY2000-
FY2026 ....................................................................................................................................... 20
Congressional Research Service
Small Business Administration (SBA) Funding: Overview and Recent Trends
Table B-1. Rescissions of SBA Appropriations, FY2000-FY2026 ............................................... 23
Table C-1. Entrepreneurial Development Programs Detailed Funding, FY2010-FY2019 ........... 25
Table D-1. Small Business Administration Appropriations, FY1980-FY1999 ............................. 27
Table D-2. Small Business Administration Appropriations, FY1954-FY1979 ............................. 28
Appendixes
Appendix A. List of SBA-Related Appropriations Acts and Explanatory Statements,
FY2000-FY2026 ........................................................................................................................ 20
Appendix B. Rescissions of SBA Appropriations, FY2000-FY2026 ............................................ 23
Appendix C. SBA Entrepreneurial Development Programs, FY2010-FY2019 ............................ 25
Appendix D. SBA Appropriations, FY1954-FY1999 ................................................................... 27
Contacts
Author Information........................................................................................................................ 29
Congressional Research Service
Small Business Administration (SBA) Funding: Overview and Recent Trends
Introduction
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) administers several programs to support small
businesses, including loan guarantee and venture capital programs to enhance small businesses’
access to capital; contracting programs to increase small businesses’ opportunities in federal
contracting; direct loan programs for businesses (as well as homeowners and renters) to aid in
their recovery from natural disasters; and small business management and technical assistance
training programs to assist in business formation and expansion. This report covers SBA
appropriations (new budget authority, minus rescissions and sequestration), focusing on recent
developments, and provides historical data since FY2000.
The SBA’s appropriations, as a whole, have ranged from $571.8 million in FY2007 to more than
$761.9 billion in FY2020. Much of this volatility is due to significant variation in appropriations
for
• disaster assistance, typically to address economic damages caused by major
natural disasters and, for FY2020 and FY2021, by COVID-19;1
• business loan credit subsidy costs related to unanticipated increases in the cost of
loan defaults and, for FY2020 and FY2021, to loan forgiveness and debt relief
payments; and
• program enhancements in the other spending category to help small businesses
access capital during and immediately following recessions.
Funding for the SBA’s core functions—including salaries and expenses, entrepreneurial
development programs, business loan administration, the Office of Inspector General (OIG), and
Office of Advocacy (Advocacy)—is more stable and generally increasing steadily over time.
The appendices to this report provide reference information on the SBA’s budget. Appendix A
provides a list of annual appropriations acts, explanatory statements for those acts, and
supplemental appropriations acts that provided funding for the SBA. Appendix B provides a list
of rescissions and sequesters that affected the SBA from FY2000 to FY2026. Appendix C
provides detailed funding for the SBA’s entrepreneurial development programs from FY2010 to
FY2019. Appendix D provides data on funding provided for the SBA from FY1954 (the
beginning of the agency) through FY1999.
Debate Over FY2026 Funding
Table 1 summarizes the legislative debate over the SBA’s FY2026 funding levels, including the
Administration’s budget request for SBA, the House and Senate Financial Services and General
Government (FSGG) proposals, and the enacted level in the Consolidated Appropriations Act,
2026 (P.L. 119-75). The following summaries highlight significant features of each proposal—
compared with historical precedent and the other proposals—and do not review funding for each
program in detail.
FY2025 Funding
The SBA operated in FY2025 under a full-year continuing resolution (CR; P.L. 119-4). The
funding levels for most of the SBA’s activities were the same as in FY2024, with two exceptions.
First, the full-year CR provided additional funds for administration of SBA’s disaster loan
1 For more information, see CRS Report R44412, SBA Disaster Loan Program: Frequently Asked Questions.
Congressional Research Service 1
Small Business Administration (SBA) Funding: Overview and Recent Trends
program ($406.0 million instead of the FY2024 level of $175.0 million). These additional funds
may have been in response to the SBA’s request for additional disaster loan program
administration funds to accommodate additional staffing to transition COVID Economic Injury
Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to a long-term, steady servicing status.2 This was presented as a one-time
need, as the SBA expected future disaster loan program administration cost requests to return to
historical norms in FY2026.3 Second, the full-year CR zeroed out the $116.5 million provided in
FY2024 for congressionally directed spending.
The Administration’s FY2026 Request
The Administration requested reductions to SBA’s budget in its FY2026 budget request.4 The
largest requested reduction (by dollar value and percentage) was in the SBA’s entrepreneurial
development account. In FY2025, the SBA received $316.8 million to operate 16 programs. For
FY2026, the SBA requested $150.0 million to operate only the Small Business Development
Center (SBDC) program.
In its request, the SBA stated that the other entrepreneurial development programs (such as
Women’s Business Centers, veterans programs, and Microloan technical assistance) were
duplicative.5 In the business loans programs account, the SBA requested congressional
authorization to charge fees to lenders to offset the SBA’s administrative costs of operating the
programs. Currently, the SBA charges fees for its loan guarantees to offset the expected costs of
future loan purchases. Those fees do not cover SBA’s administrative costs (such as employees,
equipment, and IT). Under the FY2026 budget request, the SBA would have moved toward a
model similar to the U.S. Export-Import Bank, where the SBA would charge lenders fees to
participate in the business loan programs. These fees could have offset up to half of the $158.0
million administrative costs included in the request. This proposal would have reduced taxpayers’
share of the costs of operating the business loan programs by shifting those costs to participating
lenders. The SBA OIG and Advocacy, which both submit their budget requests independently of
the SBA Administrator, each requested funding increases from FY2025 to FY2026.
The House FY2026 FSGG Bill
The House Committee on Appropriations FY2026 FSGG bill (H.R. 5166) would have generally
either reduced or maintained FY2025-level funding (though reductions were less than those
requested by the Administration). The House FSGG bill proposed increases in funding relative to
FY2025 for the Office of Credit Risk Management,6 Native American Outreach, Small Business
Development Centers, and veterans outreach programs. The House proposal would have zeroed
out funding for three entrepreneurial development programs: the Cybersecurity for Small
2 CRS Report R46284, COVID-19 Relief Assistance to Small Businesses: Issues and Policy Options.
3 U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), FY2025 Congressional Budget Justification and FY2023 Annual
Performance Report, March 11, 2024, p. 113, https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/2024-03/
FY%202025%20SBA%20CBJ%20Final%20Updated-508.pdf.
4 SBA, Fiscal Year 2026 Congressional Budget Justification and Fiscal Year 2026 Annual Performance Plan, May 30,
2025, https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/2025-06/FY%202026%20CBJ%20FINAL%202025.05.29_0.pdf.
5 Ibid., p. 3.
6 The Office of Credit Risk Management supervises lender participation in SBA’s business loan programs, and
provides SBA portfolio-wide monitoring of risks. For more information about this office, see CRS Report R47909,
Small Business Administration (SBA) Business Loan Program Rule Changes in the 118th Congress: Background and
Summary.
Congressional Research Service 2
Small Business Administration (SBA) Funding: Overview and Recent Trends
Business Pilot Program, the Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program, and the
Growth Accelerator Fund Competition.
The House proposal would also have provided a novel split in the lending authorization for the
7(a) and 504 loan guarantee programs. In FY2025, the SBA was authorized to approve up to
$35.0 billion in 7(a) loans and $16.5 million in 504 loans. The House FSGG bill would have
allowed SBA to guarantee up to $32.5 billion in 7(a) loans to businesses in any industry, an
additional $10.0 billion in 7(a) loans to manufacturing businesses, up to $12.5 billion in 504 loans
to businesses in any industry, and an additional $10.0 billion in 504 loans to manufacturing
businesses. The House FSGG proposal did not include any congressionally directed spending.
The Senate FY2026 FSGG Bill
The Senate Committee on Appropriations FY2026 FSGG bill (S. 3290) would have generally
provided SBA with funding at similar levels as FY2025. The Senate FSGG bill proposed
maintaining funding for all 16 entrepreneurial development programs at FY2025 levels. In a
break from historical precedent, the Senate FSGG bill would have included the funding amounts
for all 16 entrepreneurial development programs in the legislative text of the bill, instead of in an
explanatory statement.7
The Senate FSGG bill also included reductions in funding for administrative costs, funding for
salaries and expenses, and funding for business loans programs administration. The bill adopted
the SBA OIG’s and Advocacy’s requests for increased funding. The bill would have also provided
$75.0 million for the cost of making disaster loans (which is separate from the administrative
costs funding that all three proposals included). Finally, the Senate FSGG bill would have
provided $110.0 million for congressionally directed spending.
SBA’s Enacted FY2026 Funding
The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 (P.L. 119-75) generally followed funding amounts in
the Senate FSGG bill, with a few exceptions. The act also—for the first time—included funding
for all 16 entrepreneurial development programs in the enacted text of the law, instead of most
programs being mentioned only in the explanatory statement. The act adopted the House FSGG
bill’s proposals for higher funding for Native American Outreach, SBDCs, and a portion of the
House’s proposed increase for veterans outreach. The act maintained FY2025-level funding for
the SBA OIG and Advocacy, thereby adopting the House FSGG bill amounts instead of the
proposed increases in the SBA’s request and the Senate FSGG bill. The act included $106.9
million for congressionally directed spending.
7 Including the funding in the statutory language gives it stronger footing than report language included only in an
explanatory statement. “Although the language contained in these reports is not considered binding in the same manner
as the statutory language of appropriations acts, report language plays an essential role in the congressional
consideration of appropriations measures and affects how federal agencies interpret and obligate the funds provided in
those measures.” See CRS Report R44124, Appropriations Report Language: Overview of Development and
Components.
Congressional Research Service 3
Table 1. Debate Over the SBA’s FY2026 Funding
Millions of dollars
FY2025 Administration Senate FY2026
Program Enacted Request House Proposal Proposal Enacted
Legislation P.L. 119-4 FY2026 CBJa H.R. 5166 S. 3290 P.L. 119-75
Explanatory Statement H. Comm. Prt. — H.Rept. 119-236 Reportc Cong. Record,
55-008b Jan. 14, 2026,
H822-H826d
Salaries and expensese 323.2 250.2 298.1 323.1 323.1
Office of Credit Risk Managementf 12.0 — 15.0 12.0 12.0
Loan Modernization and Accounting System 6.1 — 6.1 — —
Veterans Small Business Certification Program 20.5 — 15.5 15.5 15.5
Information technology systems and activities — 30.0 — 30.0 30.0
Entrepreneurial development 316.8 150.0 289.6g 316.8 330.0
7(j) technical assistance/Empower to Grow 3.8 — 3.5 3.8 3.8
Cybersecurity for Small Businesses 3.0 — — 3.0 3.0
Entrepreneurship education 2.0 — 1.3 2.0 2.0
Federal and State Technology (FAST) partnership 9.0 — — 9.0 9.0
Growth Accelerators 9.0 — — 9.0 9.0
HUBZone 4.0 — 3.0 4.0 4.0
Microloan technical assistance 41.0 — 41.0 41.0 41.0
National Women’s Business Council 1.5 — 1.5 1.5 1.5
Native American Outreach 5.0 — 5.3 5.0 5.3
PRIME technical assistance 7.0 — 7.0 7.0 7.0
Regional Innovation Clusters 9.0 — 8.0 9.0 9.0
SCORE 17.0 — 8.5 17.0 17.0
CRS-4
FY2025 Administration Senate FY2026
Program Enacted Request House Proposal Proposal Enacted
Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) 140.0 150.0 150.0 140.0 150.0
State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) 20.0 — 10.0 20.0 20.0
Veterans outreach 18.5 — 26.5 18.5 21.4
Women’s Business Centers (WBC) 27.0 — 27.0 27.0 27.0
Office of Inspector General 37.0 46.0 37.0 46.0 37.0
Office of Advocacy 10.1 14.1 10.1 14.1 10.1
Business loans programs 168.0 158.0 165.0 161.0 161.0
Microloan credit subsidy 6.0 — 3.0 3.0 3.0
Business loans program administrative expenses 162.0 158.0h 162.0 158.0 158.0
Disaster loans programi 406.0 143.0 175.0 282.0 282.0
Transfer to Office of Inspector General 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.6
Direct administrative expenses 396.0 133.0 165.0 197.0 197.0
Indirect administrative expenses 8.4 8.4 8.4 8.4 8.4
Cost of direct loans — — — 75.0 75.0
Major disasters (Stafford Act)j 374.0 143.0 143.0 250.0 250.0
Congressionally directed spending — — — 110.0 106.9
Lending authorizations—NOT appropriations
7(a)—Any industry 35,000.0 35,000.0 32,500.0 35,500.0 35,500.0
7(a)—Additional amount for manufacturing only — — 10,000.0 — —
504 program—Any industry 16,500.0 16,500.0 12,500.0 16,500.0 16,500.0
504 program—Additional amount for manufacturing 10,000.0
only — — — —
Secondary market guarantee program 15,000.0 15,000.0 15,000.0 15,000.0 15,000.0
Small Business Investment Company guarantees 6,000.0 6,000.0 6,000.0 6,000.0 6,000.0
CRS-5
Source: Table created by CRS based on analysis of the legislation, reports, and documents listed.
Notes: Figures may not sum to total due to rounding. FY2026 appropriations are current as of the date of publication, but may change before the end of the fiscal year
(September 30, 2026).
a. U.S. Small Business Administration, Fiscal Year 2026 Congressional Budget Justification and Fiscal Year 2026 Annual Performance Plan, May 30, 2025, https://www.sba.gov/
sites/default/files/2025-06/FY%202026%20CBJ%20FINAL%202025.05.29_0.pdf.
b. The SBA operated in FY2025 under a full-year continuing resolution. The full-year continuing resolution did not have an explanatory statement with the same level
of detail as annual appropriations acts. H. Comm. Prt. 55-008 (available at https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CPRT-118HPRT55008/pdf/CPRT-
118HPRT55008.pdf) is the explanatory statement for FY2024.
c. U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations, Explanatory Statement for Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Bill, 2026, November 24, 2025,
https://www.appropriations.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/fy26_fsgg_bill_report.pdf.
d. For full text, see https://www.congress.gov/119/crec/2026/01/14/172/10/CREC-2026-01-14.pdf.
e. The subprograms under salaries and expenses do not sum to the total amount for salaries and expenses.
f. The legislative language provides that “not less than” the amount identified be available for activities of the Office of Credit Risk Management. Therefore, these
amounts may be lower bounds, and the SBA could spend more than these amounts on those activities.
g. Program amounts do not sum to total indicated.
h. The SBA proposed a lender fee to offset up to half of business loans program administration costs. See the main text for details of this proposal.
i. For the disaster loans program account, the amounts provided for the OIG transfer, direct and indirect administrative expenses, and the cost of direct loans sum to
the totals indicated.
j. Amounts for major disasters/Stafford Act are considered emergency spending under budget procedural and enforcement rules.
CRS-6
Historical Funding and Program Overview
Table 2 shows the SBA’s appropriations, adjusted for rescissions and sequesters, for FY2000-FY2026. This section also provides descriptions of
the expenses and programs under each heading.
Table 2. Small Business Administration Funding, FY2000-FY2026
Millions of dollars, adjusted for rescissions
Salaries Entrepreneurial Office of Business Disaster
Fiscal and Development Inspector Office of Loan Credit Business Loan Disaster Assistance Total
Year Expenses Programs Generala Advocacy Subsidies Administration Assistanceb Supplementalb Other Appropriations
2026 323.1 330.0 38.6 10.1 3.0 158.0 280.4 — 106.9 1,250.1
2025 361.2 316.8 88.6 10.1 6.0 162.0 404.4 2,199.0 — 3,548.2
2024 361.2 316.8 38.6 10.1 6.0 162.0 173.4 — 116.5 1,184.7
2023 326.0 320.0 41.6 10.2 6.0 165.3 177.4 850.0 179.7 2,076.2
2022 278.4 290.2 24.3 9.5 6.0 163.0 176.4 1,189.1 83.0 2,219.8
2021 1,160.2 497.0 68.6 9.2 292,190.2 160.3 166.5 33,160.0 44,370.9 379,496.7
2020 3,045.2 526.0 48.5 9.1 687,439.0 155.2 175.5 70,582.0 — 761,980.5
2019 267.5 247.7 22.9 9.1 4.0 155.2 9.0 — — 715.4
2018 268.5 247.1 26.9 9.1 3.4 152.8 — 1,652.0 — 2,359.8
2017 269.5 245.1 20.9 9.2 4.3 152.7 185.0 450.0 — 1,336.8
2016 268.0 231.1 20.9 9.1 3.3 152.7 185.9 — — 871.0
2015 257.0 220.0 20.4 9.1 47.5 147.7 185.9 — — 887.6
2014 250.0 196.2 20.0 8.8 111.6 151.6 190.9 — — 928.9
2013 223.2 155.4 21.2 8.6 319.7 140.2 110.2 735.0 41.0 1,754.5
2012 245.0 202.3 17.3 9.1 210.8 148.0 116.3 — — 948.8
2011 238.1 247.9 17.3 9.1 82.8 152.7 44.4 — -62.6 729.7
2010 331.2 225.6 17.3 7.4 83.0 159.5 77.2 — 885.3 1,786.5
CRS-7
Salaries Entrepreneurial Office of Business Disaster
Fiscal and Development Inspector Office of Loan Credit Business Loan Disaster Assistance Total
Year Expenses Programs Generala Advocacy Subsidies Administration Assistanceb Supplementalb Other Appropriations
2009 329.8 162.3 26.8 8.4 8.5 138.5 — — 671.0 1,345.2
2008 275.4 140.9 19.0 7.2 2.0 135.4 -1.0 1,052.8 2.9 1,634.7
2007 191.3 128.5 15.8 7.8 1.3 124.9 112.9 -10.7 571.8
2006 258.8 128.5 20.2 7.4 1.3 123.7 -1.5 1,695.0 — 2,233.4
2005 215.4 134.5 13.3 7.5 1.4 125.0 111.3 929.0 2.8 1,540.2
2004 220.6 139.7 13.4 7.4 80.2 126.7 198.4 — — 786.2
2003 223.7 136.5 12.8 6.9 88.5 128.2 189.8 — — 786.3
2002 187.2 145.9 12.0 5.0 154.9 129.0 209.2 75.0 — 918.0
2001 203.3 201.0 12.4 5.4 165.0 128.7 183.6 100.0 — 999.5
2000 134.9 149.1 11.4 5.6 137.8 129.0 275.9 — — 843.7
Sources: Table created by CRS based on the appropriations acts and explanatory statements listed in Table A-1.
Note: Figures are adjusted for rescissions listed in Table B-1. Figures may not sum to total due to rounding. “Other” includes temporary programs that do not fit in
under the other headings, such as congressionally directed spending and temporary pandemic-era programs. Before FY2014, entrepreneurial development programs
were funded through salaries and expenses appropriations. This table separates those categories in earlier years to facilitate comparison with later years. Full data for the
Office of Advocacy are not available for FY2006-FY2010. This table estimates the amount of funding for the Office of Advocacy based on trends from FY2003 to FY2005.
FY2026 appropriations are current as of the date of publication, but may change before the end of the fiscal year (September 30, 2026).
a. OIG funds include amounts statutorily transferred from the disaster loan program account and from supplemental disaster appropriations.
b. Appropriations for the disaster loan program and for supplemental disaster appropriations are reduced by statutory transfers to the OIG.
CRS-8
Small Business Administration (SBA) Funding: Overview and Recent Trends
Salaries and Expenses
The SBA’s salaries and expenses account funds for the following:
• office operating budgets, which are used by program and administrative offices
for daily operations including travel, supplies, and contracted services;
• SBA’s nationwide network of regional and district offices;
• agency-wide costs, such as rent and telecommunications, which are managed
centrally;
• employee compensation and benefits, which are also managed centrally; and
• reimbursable expenses for programs for which the SBA receives reimbursable
budget authority from other federal government agencies.
As shown in Table 2, the SBA received an appropriation of $323.1 million for salaries and
expenses in FY2026.
Office of Inspector General8
The OIG was created within the SBA by the Inspector General Act of 1978 (P.L. 95-452, as
amended). The Inspector General, who is nominated by the President and confirmed by the
Senate, directs the office. Among various agency oversight responsibilities, the Inspector General
Act requires the OIG to
• promote economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in the management of SBA
programs and supporting operations;
• conduct and supervise audits, investigations, and reviews relating to the SBA’s
programs and support operations;
• detect and prevent fraud, waste, and abuse;
• review existing and proposed legislation and regulations and make appropriate
recommendations;
• keep the SBA Administrator and Congress informed of serious problems and
recommend corrective actions and implementation measures;
• comply with the Comptroller General’s audit standards; and
• report violations of law to the U.S. Attorney General.9
As shown in Table 2, the SBA OIG received an appropriation of $38.6 million in FY2026. The
OIG typically receives a transfer of appropriations from the disaster assistance account for
auditing expenses. It has also been provided additional appropriations for review of SBA disaster
loans following major hurricanes (e.g., Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma in 2005; Hurricane
Sandy in 2012; and Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria in 2017).
Moreover, Congress has appropriated additional funds to the OIG for oversight and audits of SBA
activities connected with substantial infusions of funding following events such as the 2008
financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic. In FY2009, the OIG was provided an additional
$10 million to conduct oversight of $730 million provided to the SBA by P.L. 111-5, the
8 For further information and analysis concerning the SBA’s Office of Inspector General (OIG), see CRS Report
R44589, SBA’s Office of Inspector General: Overview, Impact, and Relationship with Congress, by R. Corinne
Blackford and Ben Wilhelm.
9 SBA, OIG, Strategic Plan Fiscal Years 2022-2027, p.8.
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Small Business Administration (SBA) Funding: Overview and Recent Trends
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. In FY2020, the OIG received an additional
$25 million for oversight of $377.5 billion provided to the SBA by P.L. 116-136, the CARES Act.
In FY2021, the OIG was provided an additional $20 million for oversight and audits of the $20
billion Targeted EIDL Advance payment program, and an additional $25 million by P.L. 117-2,
the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.
Office of Advocacy10
The SBA states that Advocacy “advances the views and concerns of small business before
Congress, the White House, federal agencies, federal courts, and state policymakers” through
“small business outreach, commenting in the federal regulatory process, and helping agencies
develop less burdensome regulations.”11 The Chief Counsel for Advocacy, who is nominated by
the President and confirmed by the Senate, directs the office. The office’s role in the federal
regulatory process stems from P.L. 96-354, the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (RFA, as
amended), which tasked Advocacy’s chief counsel with monitoring and reporting agencies’
compliance with RFA provisions. The RFA requires federal agencies to assess the economic
impact of forthcoming regulations on small entities, including small businesses.12 Advocacy is
responsible for training agencies in how to comply with the RFA. Advocacy also seeks to
influence agency regulatory processes by convening “roundtables” with small business
representatives on regulatory issues, as well as through letters to agencies regarding their
rulemaking.
As shown in Table 2, Advocacy received an appropriation of $10.1 million in FY2026.
Business Loan Credit Subsidies
The SBA typically receives appropriations for business loan credit subsidies, as calculated under
the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990 (FCRA). Under FCRA, the SBA must obligate the
expected lifetime cost of making a loan in the fiscal year that the loan is approved. Most of the
SBA’s business loan programs (including the 7(a) and 504 loan guarantee programs and the Small
Business Investment Company program) are zero subsidy, meaning that those programs support
themselves through fees charged to participants and Congress usually does not provide annual
appropriations for those programs. Over the past 10 years, typically, only the Microloan program
receives appropriations for credit subsidy costs, most of which covers the low interest rate offered
on loans to Microloan intermediaries.13 When additional appropriations for business loan credit
subsidies occurred, they were either to cover unique programs (such as the Paycheck Protection
Program in FY2020 and FY2021) or to support loans with higher loss rates to distressed
businesses (such as in FY2010-FY2014).
As shown in Table 2, the SBA received $3.0 million for business loan credit subsidies in FY2026,
all of which was for the Microloan program.
10 For further information and analysis concerning the Office of Advocacy, see CRS In Focus IF12986, Small Business
Administration Office of Advocacy.
11 SBA, Office of Advocacy, “Who We Are,” at https://advocacy.sba.gov.
12 For more information on the RFA, see CRS In Focus IF11900, The Regulatory Flexibility Act: An Overview.
13 For more about the Microloan program, see CRS Report R41057, Small Business Administration Microloan
Program.
Congressional Research Service 10
Small Business Administration (SBA) Funding: Overview and Recent Trends
Business Loan Administration
The SBA receives appropriations for the costs of running its business loan programs. The FCRA
credit subsidy cost only considers the cost of the loan itself (such as subsidized interest rates or
losses from loan defaults); it does not include the cost of employees, equipment, and IT needed to
operate the programs. For example, this account might fund staff supporting the business loan
programs at the Commercial Loan Service Center (Fresno, CA), National Guaranty Purchase
Center (Herndon, VA), Sacramento Loan Processing Center (Sacramento, CA), and Loan
Guaranty Processing Centers (Citrus Heights, CA, and Hazard, KY). The SBA routinely transfers
the full amount of this account to its salaries and expenses account.
As shown in Table 2, the SBA received an appropriation of $158.0 million for business loan
administration in FY2026.
Disaster Assistance and Supplemental Appropriations14
The SBA receives appropriations for two aspects of the disaster loan program. First, the SBA
receives funds to support the costs of administering the program (such as employees, equipment,
and IT). Second, the SBA also receives appropriations for the FCRA cost of making disaster
loans, which covers the below-market interest rates and the costs of defaulted loans. (This
separation is similar to that in the business loan program.) Unlike most of the SBA’s other
appropriations, both types of disaster loan program funding are typically “no year” funds,
meaning they are available to the SBA until expended (most of the SBA’s other funds expire at
the end of the fiscal year). This budgetary flexibility may help the SBA respond to natural
disasters, the timing and severity of which are unpredictable.
The SBA typically receives appropriations for the administrative costs of the program through the
annual appropriations process. Funds for the cost of direct loans are more likely to come through
supplemental appropriations in the wake of a major disaster. However, there are recent examples
of funds for the cost of direct loans being provided in supplemental appropriations in the same act
as annual appropriations (as in FY2023) or through annual appropriations (as in FY2026).
As shown in Table 2, the SBA received $280.4 million for the disaster loan program in FY2026.
Of that amount, $205.4 million was for administrative costs, and $75.0 million was for the cost of
direct loans.
Other Programs
The SBA occasionally receives appropriations to operate programs that do not fit in under any of
its other accounts. In several recent fiscal years, the SBA has received funds (formally part of the
salaries and expenses account) for congressionally directed projects. In earlier fiscal years, the
SBA received funds to operate temporary programs to address economic conditions, such as in
FY2021, FY2010, and FY2009.
As shown in Table 2, the SBA received $106.9 million in FY2026 for other programs. In
FY2026, this amount was for congressionally directed spending.
14 For more information on budgeting for the SBA disaster loan program, see CRS Report R48558, SBA Disaster Loans
Program Account: Overview and Policy Options.
Congressional Research Service 11
Small Business Administration (SBA) Funding: Overview and Recent Trends
Entrepreneurial Development Programs15
The SBA’s entrepreneurial development and other noncredit programs fund a variety of
management and training services to small businesses. The programs also support a variety of
more targeted goals, such as increasing small business exports and helping small businesses
improve their cybersecurity. In FY2026, Congress appropriated a total of $330.0 million for these
programs.
Congress provided appropriations for
• eight management and technical assistance training programs: Small Business
Development Centers; Microloan Technical Assistance; Women’s Business
Centers; Veterans Outreach; SCORE; Native American Outreach; 7(j) Technical
Assistance (also called Empower to Grow); and Entrepreneurship Education.16
• two relatively long-standing nontraining programs: HUBZone administration and
the National Women’s Business Council; and
• six noncredit grant programs: the State Trade Expansion Program; the Federal
and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program; the Growth Accelerator Fund
Competition; Regional Innovation Clusters; the Program for Investment in
Microentrepreneurs; and the Cybersecurity for Small Business Pilot Program.
15 For further information and analysis concerning the SBA’s entrepreneurial development noncredit programs, see
CRS Report R41352, Small Business Management and Technical Assistance Training Programs.
16 For more information on these programs, see CRS Report R41352, Small Business Management and Technical
Assistance Training Programs.
Congressional Research Service 12
Table 3. Entrepreneurial Development Programs Detailed Funding, FY2016-FY2026
Millions of dollars, adjusted for rescissions
Program FY2026 FY2025 FY2024 FY2023 FY2022 FY2021 FY2020 FY2019 FY2018 FY2017 FY2016
SBDC 150.0 140.0 140.0 140.0 138.0 136.0 327.0 131.0 130.0 125.0 117.0
Microloan TA 41.0 41.0 41.0 41.0 37.0 85.0 34.5 31.0 31.0 31.0 25.0
Women’s Business Centers 27.0 27.0 27.0 27.0 24.4 23.0 70.5 18.5 18.0 18.0 17.0
Veterans Outreach 21.4 18.5 18.5 17.5 16.0 14.0 14.0 12.7 12.3 12.3 12.3
State Trade Expansion Program 20.0 20.0 20.0 20.0 20.0 19.5 19.0 18.0 18.0 18.0 18.0
SCORE 17.0 17.0 17.0 17.0 14.0 12.2 11.7 11.7 11.5 10.5 10.5
FAST 9.0 9.0 9.0 10.0 6.0 4.0 [3.0]a [3.0]a [3.0]a [3.0]a [3.0]a
Growth Accelerators 9.0 9.0 9.0 10.0 3.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 1.0 1.0 1.0
Regional Innovation Clusters 9.0 9.0 9.0 10.0 8.0 6.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 6.0
PRIME TA 7.0 7.0 7.0 8.0 7.0 5.5 5.5 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0
Native American Outreach 5.3 5.0 5.0 4.0 3.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0
HUBZone 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0
7(j) TA/Empower to Grow 3.8 3.8 3.8 4.0 3.5 2.8 2.8 2.8 2.8 2.8 2.8
Cybersecurity for Small Businesses 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 — — — — —
Entrepreneurship Education 2.0 2.0 2.0 3.0 2.8 2.5 2.5 3.5 6.0 10.0 10.0
Nat’l Women’s Business Council 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5
Temporary pandemic programs — — — — — 175.0 25.0 — — — —
Total 330.0 316.8 316.8 320.0 290.2 497.0 526.0 247.7 247.1 245.1 231.1
Sources: Table created by CRS based on the appropriations acts and explanatory statements listed in Table A-1.
Note: Figures are adjusted for rescissions listed in Table B-1. FY2026 appropriations are current as of the date of publication, but may change before the end of the
fiscal year (September 30, 2026). TA=Technical Assistance; FAST=Federal and State Technology Partnership Program; HUBZone= Historically Underutilized Business
Zone; PRIME=Program for Investment in Microentrepreneurs; SBDC=Small Business Development Centers. SCORE is not an acronym.
a. Prior to FY2021, funding for FAST was provided through the SBA’s salaries and expenses budget. Those amounts are shown here for comparison, but are not
included in the entrepreneurial development program total.
CRS-13
Small Business Administration (SBA) Funding: Overview and Recent Trends
Management and Technical Assistance Training Programs
Initially, the SBA directly provided its own management and technical assistance training
programs. Over time, however, the SBA has increasingly relied on third parties to provide that
training. The SBA refers to these third parties as resource partners, and SBA funds these entities
through grants. The SBA reported that its management and technical assistance programs assisted
approximately 644,000 small business owners in FY2024.17 Historically, Congress has specified
funding amounts in appropriations acts for the Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs)
program, Microloan Technical Assistance program, and State Trade Expansion Program (STEP).
Congress also has historically provided an overall appropriation for the SBA’s entrepreneurial
development programs, and recommended specific appropriations for programs—other than those
previously mentioned—in report language within conference agreements or explanatory
statements accompanying an appropriations act. Although report language accompanying enacted
bills is not legally binding,18 the SBA has traditionally adhered to these recommended funding
levels. However, in some fiscal years (such as in FY2026 in P.L. 119-75) Congress has specified
funding amounts for a greater number of entrepreneurial development programs in appropriations
acts, rather than making recommendations in conference agreements or explanatory statements.
Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs)
SBDCs provide free or low-cost assistance to small businesses using programs customized to
local conditions.19 SBDCs support small businesses in marketing and business strategy, finance,
technology transfer, government contracting, management, manufacturing, engineering, sales,
accounting, exporting, and other topics. They are funded by grants from the SBA and by
matching funds from grant recipients. As of FY2023, there were 63 so-called “lead” SBDCs,
including at least one in every state as well as locations in Washington, DC, American Samoa, the
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
These lead SBDCs manage a network of more than 900 total SBDC service centers.20
As shown in Table 3, the SBDC program received an appropriation of $150.0 million in FY2026.
Microloan Technical Assistance
The SBA’s Microloan lending program is designed to address the perceived disadvantages faced
by women, low-income, veteran, and minority entrepreneurs and business owners in gaining
access to capital for starting or expanding their businesses. Under the Microloan program, the
SBA provides direct loans to qualified nonprofit intermediary Microloan lenders who, in turn,
provide “microloans” of up to $50,000 to small business owners, entrepreneurs, and nonprofit
child care centers.21
The SBA’s Microloan Technical Assistance program is part of the Microloan program but
receives a separate appropriation. It provides grants to Microloan intermediaries to offer
17 SBA, Fiscal Year 2024 Annual Performance Report, p. 5, https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/2025-02/
FY24%20SBA%20APR-2025-0123-508.pdf.
18 For more information, see CRS Report R44124, Appropriations Report Language: Overview of Development and
Components.
19 For more information, see CRS In Focus IF12402, The SBA’s Small Business Development Centers Program.
20 SBA, FY 2025 Congressional Budget Justification FY 2023 Annual Performance Report, p. 93, https://www.sba.gov/
sites/default/files/2024-03/FY%202025%20SBA%20CBJ%20Final%20Updated-508.pdf (hereinafter SBA, FY2025
Congressional Budget Justification).
21 For more information, see CRS Report R41057, Small Business Administration Microloan Program.
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Small Business Administration (SBA) Funding: Overview and Recent Trends
management and technical training assistance to Microloan program borrowers and prospective
borrowers. As of the time of this report, there were 155 Microloan intermediaries serving 47
states, Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico.22
As shown in Table 3, the Microloan Technical Assistance program received an appropriation of
$41.0 million in FY2026.
Women’s Business Centers
The Women’s Business Centers (WBC) program was initially established by P.L. 100-533, the
Women’s Business Ownership Act of 1988, as the Women’s Business Demonstration Pilot
Program. The act directed the SBA to provide financial assistance to private, nonprofit
organizations to conduct demonstration projects providing financial, management, and marketing
assistance to small businesses, including start-up businesses, owned and controlled by women.
Since its inception, the program has targeted the needs of socially and economically
disadvantaged women.23 Congress expanded the WBC program and gave it permanent statutory
authorization in the Science, State, Justice, Commerce, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act,
2006 (P.L. 109-108). WBCs are funded by grants from SBA and matching funds from grant
recipients.
As shown in Table 3, the WBC program received an appropriation of $27.0 million in FY2026.
Veterans Outreach
The SBA funds a number of veterans outreach activities. These activities are coordinated by the
SBA’s Office of Veterans Business Development (OVBD). Although the SBA also administers a
number of smaller veteran-focused programs, the primary activities funded by the SBA’s veterans
outreach are the Boots to Business and Boots to Business Reboot programs and the Veterans
Business Outreach Centers (VBOC) program.
Boots to Business is an entrepreneurial development education and training program offered by
the SBA as part of the Department of Defense’s Transition Assistance Program. It includes in-
person and virtual components. The program is also open to spouses of veterans. Boots to
Business Reboot assists veterans (and spouses) who have already transitioned to civilian life.
VBOCs provide active military servicemembers, veterans, and their spouses access to
management and technical assistance training, including assistance with Boots to Business, the
development and maintenance of a five-year business plan, and referrals to other SBA resource
partners when appropriate for additional training or mentoring services. As of the time of this
report, there were 31 VBOCs.24
Prior to FY2016, Congress recommended appropriations for VBOCs and, in FY2014 and
FY2015, for Boots to Business. Funding for OVBD’s other programs was provided through the
SBA’s salaries and expenses account. Starting in FY2016, Congress provided or recommended
appropriations for OVBD’s programs as a whole.
22 SBA, “List of Microlenders,” https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/microloans/list-microlenders.
23 U.S. Congress, House Committee on Small Business, Review of Women’s Business Center Program, 106th Cong.,
February 11, 1999, Serial No. 106-2 (GPO, 1999), p. 4.
24 SBA, “Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOC),” https://www.sba.gov/local-assistance/resource-partners/
veterans-business-outreach-center-vboc-program.
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Small Business Administration (SBA) Funding: Overview and Recent Trends
As shown in Table 3, the SBA’s veterans outreach activities received an appropriation of $21.4
million in FY2026.
SCORE
The SBA provides financial assistance to SCORE (formerly the Service Corps of Retired
Executives) to provide in-person mentoring and online training to small business owners and
prospective owners. As of FY2023, there were at least 230 SCORE chapters throughout the
country.25
As shown in Table 3, SCORE received an appropriation of $17.0 million in FY2026.
Native American Outreach
The SBA’s Native American Outreach (NAO) program provides management and technical
assistance to small business owners from groups including American Indians, Alaska Natives, and
Native Hawaiians. This includes funding five organizations providing targeted technical
assistance to these small business owners.26 These efforts are coordinated by the SBA’s Office of
Native American Affairs.
As shown in Table 3, the NAO program received an appropriation of $5.3 million in FY2026.
7(j) Technical Assistance/Empower to Grow
The SBA’s 7(j) Technical Assistance program (also called Empower to Grow) provides “a wide
variety of management and technical assistance to eligible individuals or concerns to meet their
specific needs, including: (a) counseling and training in the areas of financing, management,
accounting, bookkeeping, marketing, and operation of small business concerns; and (b) the
identification and development of new business opportunities.”27 To be eligible for the program, a
small business must be located in an area of high unemployment or low income; owned by low-
income individuals; or eligible for SBA’s 8(a) contracting assistance program.28
As shown in Table 3, the 7(j) Technical Assistance program received an appropriation of $3.8
million in FY2026.
Entrepreneurship Education
The SBA’s Entrepreneurship Education program provides online education tools to encourage
learning among aspiring entrepreneurs and existing small business owners. These tools include
the SBA Learning Center, which offers short video content on small business-related topics, and
T.H.R.I.V.E. Emerging Leaders Reimagined, which is an “executive-level training series for
established business owners looking to scale and grow.”29
As shown in Table 3, the Entrepreneurship Education program received an appropriation of $2.0
million in FY2026.
25 SBA, FY2025 Congressional Budget Justification, p. 97.
26 SBA, “Native American-Owned Businesses,” https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/grow-your-business/native-
american-owned-businesses.
27 13 C.F.R. §124.702.
28 SBA, “Empower to Grow,” https://www.sba.gov/sba-learning-platform/empower-grow.
29 SBA, FY2025 Congressional Budget Justification, p. 100.
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Small Business Administration (SBA) Funding: Overview and Recent Trends
Nontraining Programs
SBA’s entrepreneurial development program appropriations include specified or recommended
appropriations for two nontraining programs.
HUBZone Administration
The Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) program provides certified small
businesses located in areas with low income, high poverty, or high unemployment with
contracting opportunities in the form of set-asides, sole-source awards, and price-evaluation
preferences. Its primary objectives are job creation and increased capital investment in distressed
communities.
As shown in Table 3, the HUBZone program received $4.0 million for technical and certification
assistance in FY2026.
National Women’s Business Council
The SBA provides funding to the National Women’s Business Council (NWBC), a bipartisan
federal advisory council created to serve as an independent source of advice and counsel to the
President, Congress, and the SBA on economic issues of importance to women business owners.
The NWBC develops policy recommendations by convening international meetings, conducting
and publishing research, and hosting public events.
As shown in Table 3, the NWBC received an appropriation of $1.5 million in FY2026.
Grant Programs
Outside of its management and technical assistance programs, the SBA operates a number of
grant programs targeting specific aspects of small business support. These programs all receive
specified or recommended appropriations under the SBA’s entrepreneurial development program
appropriation.
State Trade Expansion Program
The SBA’s State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) awards competitive grants for projects that
help small businesses build their export activities. STEP grants, which may be awarded to states
and U.S. territories, are intended to help increase the number of small businesses exporting;
increase the dollar value of small business exports; and increase the number of small businesses
exploring significant new trade opportunities, including expansions and new export
opportunities.30
As shown in Table 3, STEP received an appropriation of $20.0 million in FY2026.
Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program
The SBA’s Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program provides grants to states
and state-endorsed nonprofit organizations to provide outreach, financial support, and technical
assistance to technology-based small businesses participating in or interested in participating in
30 For more information, see CRS In Focus IF12149, The Small Business Administration’s State Trade Expansion
Program.
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Small Business Administration (SBA) Funding: Overview and Recent Trends
the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR)
programs.31
As shown in Table 3, FAST received an appropriation of $9.0 million in FY2026.
Growth Accelerator Fund Competition
Since 2014, the SBA has administered the Growth Accelerator Fund Competition (GAFC) to
provide competitive grant awards for accelerators assisting science, technology, engineering, and
math and research and development (R&D) focused small businesses and start-ups. Historically,
the GAFC often targeted accelerators that supported businesses and/or geographies that
traditionally faced barriers in obtaining R&D funds and investment capital, including businesses
owned or led by women, minorities, and veterans, or businesses located in rural areas.32
As shown in Table 3, GAFC received an appropriation of $9.0 million in FY2026.
Regional Innovation Clusters
The SBA has supported regional innovation clusters since FY2009, when it partnered with small
business suppliers working in the robotics field in Michigan. The Regional Innovation Clusters
(RIC) program awards competitive grants to entities to form RICs to deliver “direct support to
innovative small businesses and start-ups across the country.”33 RICs help small businesses and
start-ups by providing tools such as market research, customer delivery, and government
contracting assistance.
As shown in Table 3, the RIC program received an appropriation of $9.0 million in FY2026.
Program for Investment in Microentrepreneurs
The SBA’s Program for Investment in Microentrepreneurs (PRIME) makes competitive grant
awards to facilitate technical assistance and other efforts in support of microenterprises, or
businesses with fewer than five employees and that generally lack access to conventional loans,
equity, or other banking services. In addition to technical assistance, PRIME awards may also be
used for the development and sharing of best practices in the field of microenterprise
development and for other activities determined to be consistent with PRIME’s goals.34
As shown in Table 3, PRIME received an appropriation of $7.0 million in FY2026.
Cybersecurity for Small Business Pilot Program
Congress has provided the SBA appropriations since FY2021 to operate the Cybersecurity for
Small Business Pilot Program (CSBPP) intended to help small businesses enhance their
cybersecurity. CSBPP provides competitive grants to states, state agencies, and entities providing
31 For more information on SBIR and STTR, see CRS Report R43695, Small Business Research Programs: SBIR and
STTR.
32 For more information, see CRS In Focus IF12310, The Small Business Administration’s Growth Accelerator Fund
Competition.
33 SBA, “Regional Innovation Clusters,” https://www.sba.gov/local-assistance/regional-innovation-clusters.
34 For more information, see CRS In Focus IF12176, The Small Business Administration’s Program for Investment in
Microentrepreneurs.
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Small Business Administration (SBA) Funding: Overview and Recent Trends
cybersecurity education at the state level. These grants are intended to fund projects to help small
businesses fend off online threats.35
As shown in Table 3, CBSPP received an appropriation of $3.0 million for FY2026.
35 For more information, see CRS In Focus IF12732, The Cybersecurity for Small Business Pilot Program.
Congressional Research Service 19
Small Business Administration (SBA) Funding: Overview and Recent Trends
Appendix A. List of SBA-Related Appropriations
Acts and Explanatory Statements, FY2000-FY2026
Table A-1. SBA-Related Appropriations Acts and Explanatory Statements,
FY2000-FY2026
Fiscal Annual Appropriations Supplemental
Year Annual Appropriations Act Explanatory Statement Appropriations
2026 Consolidated Appropriations Cong. Rec. Vol 172, No. 10,
Act, 2026 (P.L. 119-75) H822-H826
2025 Full-year continuing resolution See FY2024 explanatory American Relief Act, 2025 (P.L.
(Full-Year Continuing statement. 118-158)
Appropriations and Extensions
Act, 2025; P.L. 119-4)
2024 Further Consolidated H. Comm. Prt. 55-008
Appropriations Act, 2024 (P.L.
118-47)
2023 Consolidated Appropriations H. Comm. Prt. 50-347 Included in annual
Act, 2023 (P.L. 117-328) appropriations act
2022 Consolidated Appropriations Cong. Rec. Vol. 168, No. 42, Extending Government
Act, 2022 (P.L. 117-103) Bk. 3, H2356-H2358 Funding and Delivering
Emergency Assistance Act (P.L.
117-43)
2021 Consolidated Appropriations H. Comm. Prt. 43-749 American Rescue Plan Act of
Act, 2021 (P.L. 116-260) 2021 (P.L. 117-2)
2020 Consolidated Appropriations H. Comm. Prt. 38-678 Coronavirus Preparedness and
Act, 2020 (P.L. 116-93) Response Supplemental
Appropriations Act, 2020 (P.L.
116-123)
Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and
Economic Security Act
(CARES Act, P.L. 116-136)
Paycheck Protection Program
and Health Care Enhancement
Act (P.L. 116-139)
2019 Consolidated Appropriations H.Rept. 116-9
Act, 2019 (P.L. 116-6)
2018 Consolidated Appropriations H. Comm. Prt. 29-456 Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018
Act, 2018 (P.L. 115-141) (P.L. 115-123)
2017 Consolidated Appropriations H. Comm. Prt. 25-289 Continuing Appropriations
Act, 2017 (P.L. 115-31) Act, 2018 and Supplemental
Appropriations for Disaster
Relief Requirements Act, 2017
(P.L. 115-56)
2016 Consolidated Appropriations Cong. Rec. Vol. 161, No. 184,
Act, 2016 (P.L. 114-113) Bk. 2, H10139-H10140
2015 Consolidated and Further Cong. Rec. Vol. 160, No. 151,
Continuing Appropriations Bk. 2, H9740-H9741
Act, 2015 (P.L. 113-235)
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Small Business Administration (SBA) Funding: Overview and Recent Trends
Fiscal Annual Appropriations Supplemental
Year Annual Appropriations Act Explanatory Statement Appropriations
2014 Consolidated Appropriations Cong. Rec. Vol. 160, No. 9, Bk.
Act, 2014 (P.L. 113-76) 2, H908
2013 Full-year continuing resolution See FY2012 explanatory Disaster Relief Appropriations
(Consolidated and Further statement. Act, 2013 (P.L. 113-2)
Continuing Appropriations
Act, 2013; P.L. 113-6)
2012 Consolidated Appropriations H.Rept. 112-331
Act, 2012 (P.L. 112-74)
2011 Full-year continuing resolution See FY2010 explanatory
(Department of Defense and statement.
Full-Year Continuing
Appropriations Act, 2011; P.L.
112-10)
2010 Consolidated Appropriations H.Rept. 111-366 Small Business Jobs Act of
Act, 2010 (P.L. 111-117) 2010 (P.L. 111-240)
2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act, H. Comm. Prt. 47-494, Bk. 1 American Recovery and
2009 (P.L. 111-8) Reinvestment Act of 2009 (P.L.
111-5)
2008 Consolidated Appropriations Cong. Rec. Vol. 153, No. 193, Supplemental Appropriations
Act, 2008 (P.L. 110-161) Bk. 2, H16057-H16062 Act, 2008 (P.L. 110-252)
2007 Full-year continuing resolution See FY2006 explanatory
(Revised Continuing statement.
Appropriations Resolution,
2007; P.L. 110-5)
2006 Science, State, Justice, H.Rept. 109-272 Department of Defense,
Commerce, and Related Emergency Supplemental
Agencies Appropriations Act, Appropriations to Address
2006 (P.L. 109-108) Hurricanes in the Gulf of
Mexico, and Pandemic
Influenza Act, 2006 (P.L. 109-
148)
Emergency Supplemental
Appropriations Act for
Defense, Global War on
Terror, and Hurricane
Recovery, 2006 (P.L. 109-234)
2005 Consolidated Appropriations H.Rept. 108-792 Military Construction
Act, 2005 (P.L. 108-447) Appropriations and Emergency
Hurricane Supplemental
Appropriations Act, 2005 (P.L.
108-324)
2004 Consolidated Appropriations H.Rept. 108-401
Act, 2004 (P.L. 108-199)
2003 Consolidated Appropriations H.Rept. 108-10
Resolution, 2003 (P.L. 108-7)
2002 Departments of Commerce, H.Rept. 107-278 2002 Supplemental
Justice, and State, the Judiciary, Appropriations Act for Further
and Related Agencies Recovery From and Response
Appropriations Act, 2002 (P.L. To Terrorist Attacks on the
107-77) United States (P.L. 107-206)
Congressional Research Service 21
Small Business Administration (SBA) Funding: Overview and Recent Trends
Fiscal Annual Appropriations Supplemental
Year Annual Appropriations Act Explanatory Statement Appropriations
2001 District of Columbia H.Rept. 106-1005 Consolidated Appropriations
Appropriations Act, 2001 (P.L. Act, 2001 (P.L. 106-554)
106-553)
2000 Consolidated Appropriations H.Rept. 106-479
Act, 2000 (P.L. 106-113)
Source: Table created by CRS based on analysis of the listed acts and statements.
Congressional Research Service 22
Small Business Administration (SBA) Funding: Overview and Recent Trends
Appendix B. Rescissions of SBA Appropriations,
FY2000-FY2026
Table B-1. Rescissions of SBA Appropriations, FY2000-FY2026
Fiscal Estimated SBA
Year Act(s) Activities Affected Impacts
2023 Fiscal Responsibility Act of Several of SBA’s pandemic programs, $2.3 billiona
2023 (P.L. 118-5) including COVID Economic Injury Disaster
Loans (EIDLs), additional grants for Microloan
Intermediaries, and the Restaurant
Revitalization Fund.
2023 Consolidated Appropriations Paycheck Protection Program and Shuttered $5.4 billion
Act, 2023 Venue Operators Grant
2021 Economic Aid to Hard-Hit SBA’s pandemic loan programs $146.5 billion
Small Businesses, Nonprofits,
and Venues Act (Division N,
Title III of P.L. 116-260)
2020 Consolidated Appropriations SBA business loan programs account $16.4 million
Act, 2020 (P.L. 116-93)
2019 Consolidated Appropriations SBA 504 loan guarantee program $50 million
Act, 2019 (P.L. 116-6)
2018 Consolidated Appropriations SBA Immediate Disaster Assistance Program $2.6 million
Act, 2018 (P.L. 115-141) and Expedited Disaster Assistance Loan
Program
2017 Consolidated Appropriations SBA 504 loan guarantee program $55 million
Act, 2017 (P.L. 115-31)
2013 Budget Control Act of 2011 Government-wide sequestration process and $94.8 million
(P.L. 112-25) 0.2% rescission
Consolidated and Further
Continuing Appropriations
Act, 2013 (P.L. 113-6)
2011 Department of Defense and Government-wide 0.2% rescission $1.5 million
Full-Year Continuing
Appropriations Act, 2011 (P.L.
112-10)
2007 Science, State, Justice, Government-wide 0.28% rescission (P.L. 109- $13.5 million
Commerce, and Related 108)
Agencies Appropriations Act, SBA salaries and expenses, business loans
2006 (P.L. 109-108) program account, and disaster loans program
Revised Continuing account (P.L. 110-5)
Appropriations Resolution,
2007 (P.L. 110-5)
2006 Department of Defense, Government-wide 1.0% rescission $7.0 million
Emergency Supplemental
Appropriations to Address
Hurricanes in the Gulf of
Mexico, and Pandemic
Influenza Act, 2006 (P.L. 109-
148)
Congressional Research Service 23
Small Business Administration (SBA) Funding: Overview and Recent Trends
Fiscal Estimated SBA
Year Act(s) Activities Affected Impacts
2005 Consolidated Appropriations Government-wide 0.8% rescission $8.3 million
Act, 2005 (P.L. 108-447)
2004 Consolidated Appropriations Government-wide 0.59% rescission $8.0 million
Act, 2004 (P.L. 108-199)
2003 Consolidated Appropriations Government-wide 0.65% rescission $5.1 million
Resolution, 2003 (P.L. 108-7)
2002 2002 Supplemental Rescission on federal agency administrative $0.5 million
Appropriations Act for Further and travel budgets ($350 million government-
Recovery From and Response wide, assigned to agencies pro-rata based on
To Terrorist Attacks on the available administrative and travel funds)
United States (P.L. 107-206)
2001 Consolidated Appropriations Government-wide 0.22% rescission $2.0 million
Act, 2001 (P.L. 106-554)
2000 Consolidated Appropriations Government-wide 0.38% rescission $3.3 million
Act, 2000 (P.L. 106-113)
Source: Table created by CRS based on analysis of the listed legislation.
a. Nearly all of this amount ($2.1 billion) is from the rescission to the Disaster Loans Program Account
(COVID EIDL). See Congressional Budget Office, CBO’s Estimate of the Budgetary Effects of H.R. 3746, the
Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023, May 30, 2023, https://www.cbo.gov/publication/59225.
Congressional Research Service 24
Appendix C. SBA Entrepreneurial Development Programs, FY2010-FY2019
Table C-1. Entrepreneurial Development Programs Detailed Funding, FY2010-FY2019
Millions of dollars, adjusted for rescissions
Program FY2019 FY2018 FY2017 FY2016 FY2015 FY2014 FY2013 FY2012 FY2011 FY2010
7(j) TA/Empower to Grow 2.8 2.8 2.8 2.8 2.8 2.8 2.9 3.1 3.4 3.4
Entrepreneurship Education 3.5 6.0 10.0 10.0 7.0 5.0 — — — —
FASTa [3.0] [3.0] [3.0] [3.0] [2.0] [2.0] [1.9] [2.0] [2.0] [2.0]
Growth Accelerators 2.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 4.0 2.5 — — — —
HUBZone 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 2.3 2.0 2.5 2.2 2.2
Microloan TA 31.0 31.0 31.0 25.0 22.3 20.0 19.8 20.0 22.0 46.0
Nat’l Women’s Business Council 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.0 1.0 0.9 1.0 1.0 1.0
Native American Outreach 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 0.9 1.3 1.2 1.3
PRIME TA 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 3.5 —b 3.5 8.0 8.0
Regional Innovation Clusters 5.0 5.0 5.0 6.0 6.0 5.0 3.7 5.0 10.0 10.0
SCORE 11.7 11.5 10.5 10.5 8.0 7.0 6.4 7.0 7.0 7.0
SBDC 131.0 130.0 125.0 117.0 115.0 113.6 103.4 112.5 146.6 129.2
State Trade Expansion Program 18.0 18.0 18.0 18.0 17.4 8.0 — 30.0c 30.0 —
Veterans Outreachd 12.7 12.3 12.3 12.3 10.5 9.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5
Women’s Business Centers 18.5 18.0 18.0 17.0 15.0 14.0 12.9 14.0 14.0 14.0
Intermediary Lending Pilot — — — — 1.0 — — — — —
Drug-Free Workplace Program — — — — — — — — — 1.0
Total 247.7 247.1 245.1 231.1 220.0 196.2 155.4 202.4 247.9 225.6
Source: Table created by CRS based on the appropriations acts and explanatory statements listed in Table A-1.
CRS-25
Notes: Figures are adjusted for rescissions listed in Table B-1. TA=Technical Assistance; FAST=Federal and State Technology Partnership Program; HUBZone=
Historically Underutilized Business Zone; PRIME=Program for Investment in Microentrepreneurs; SBDC=Small Business Development Centers. SCORE is not an
acronym.
a. Prior to FY2021, funding for FAST was provided through the SBA’s salaries and expenses budget. Those amounts are shown here for comparison, but are not
included in the entrepreneurial development program total.
b. In FY2013, Congress originally provided $3.5 million for PRIME TA grants. In the SBA’s implementation of the government-wide sequestration and rescission
required during FY2013 (see Table B-1), the SBA zeroed out funding for PRIME.
c. The State Trade and Export Promotion Grant Program (predecessor to the State Trade Expansion Program) received $30.0 million for FY2011 and FY2012 in the
Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 (P.L. 111-240).
d. In FY2016 and later, all of these funds were provided under the heading of “Veterans Outreach” or “Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOC).” In FY2015 and
FY2014, the total shown combines funding under the headings of “Boots to Business” and “Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOC).” Before FY2014, all funds
were under the heading of “Boots to Business.”
CRS-26
Small Business Administration (SBA) Funding: Overview and Recent Trends
Appendix D. SBA Appropriations, FY1954-FY1999
Table D-1. Small Business Administration Appropriations, FY1980-FY1999
($ in millions)
Business Loan
Disaster Capital
Fiscal Year Assistance Appropriation Other Programs Total
FY1999 $293.3 $224.2 $302.5 $820.0
FY1998 $173.2 $181.2 $361.7 $716.1
FY1997 $326.9 $183.7 $341.8 $852.4
FY1996 $331.0 $160.7 $322.5 $814.2
FY1995 $130.2 $271.0 $390.8 $792.0
FY1994 $18.6 $223.4 $408.7 $650.7
FY1993 $401.7 $370.0 $436.4 $1,208.1
FY1992 $705.0 $348.3 $598.8 $1,652.1
FY1991 ($129.3) $157.0 $436.2 $463.9
FY1990 $342.3 $159.5 $426.5 $928.3
FY1989 $0.0 $168.6 $251.6 $420.2
FY1988 $0.0 $165.7 $262.6 $428.3
FY1987 $0.0 $378.2 $225.5 $603.7
FY1986 $0.0 $505.0 $209.4 $714.4
FY1985 $0.0 $511.6 $742.1 $1,253.7
FY1984 $0.0 $363.4 $234.5 $597.9
FY1983 $0.0 $742.7 $274.6 $1,017.3
FY1982 $0.0 $326.0 $243.9 $569.9
FY1981 $325.0 $609.0 $265.9 $1,199.9
FY1980 $1,237.0 $565.0 $194.1 $1,996.1
Sources: U.S. House of Representatives, Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on the Departments of
Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies, “Departments of Commerce, Justice, and
State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations for [various years],” hearings [various years]; U.S.
Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Budget of the United States Government, FY1986; Appendix: Small Business
Administration, pp. I-XI – IX9; and OMB, Budget of the United States Government, FY1987; Appendix: Small Business
Administration, pp. I-XI – IX10.
Notes: In FY1985, an additional $524.96 million was appropriated to the Federal Financing Bank. In FY1995,
there was a $6 million rescission, which was subtracted from the other programs column.
Congressional Research Service 27
Small Business Administration (SBA) Funding: Overview and Recent Trends
Table D-2. Small Business Administration Appropriations, FY1954-FY1979
($ in millions)
Capital
Disaster Appropriation/ First
Fiscal Year Assistance Revolving Fund Other Programs Total
FY1979 $1,235.0 $520.5 $239.0 $1,994.5
FY1978 $2,640.8 $605.0 $230.0 $3,475.8
FY1977 $291.3 $601.6 $90.5 $983.4
FY1976 $100.0 $278.8 $29.4 $418.2
FY1975 $91.8 $307.5 $28.5 $445.8
FY1974 $1.6 $226.0 $23.0 $250.6
FY1973 $1,857.2 $397.0 $22.6 $2,276.8
FY1972 $172.4 $278.1 $22.8 $473.3
FY1971 $366.0 $267.4 $20.0 $653.4
FY1970 $180.0 $3.3 $17.5 $200.8
FY1969 $3.8 $6.0 $11.4 $21.2
FY1968 $2.0 $154.0 $9.9 $165.9
FY1967 $128.3 $722.6 $8.1 $859.0
FY1966 comingled $310.0 $7.2 $317.2
FY1965 comingled $145.0 $7.5 $152.5
FY1964 comingled $90.0 $8.5 $98.5
FY1963 comingled $300.0 $5.9 $305.9
FY1962 comingled $220.0 $7.1 $227.1
FY1961 comingled $50.0 $5.9 $55.9
FY1960 comingled $150.0 $4.9 $154.9
FY1959 comingled $200.0 $31.3 $231.3
FY1958 $8.0 $112.0 $2.3 $122.3
FY1957 $12.0 $83.0 $1.9 $96.9
FY1956 $35.0 $10.0 $2.1 $47.1
FY1955 $10.0 $15.0 $2.4 $27.4
FY1954 $5.0 $50.0 $2.7 $57.5
Sources: OMB, Budget of the United States Government [various years]; and Appropriations Acts [various years]:
P.L. 83-207, P.L. 84-219, P.L. 84-533, P.L. 84-604, P.L.85-19, P.L. 85-170, P.L. 85-457, P.L. 85-766, P.L. 86-88, P.L.
86-451, P.L. 87-125, P.L. 87-332, P.L. 87-843, P.L. 88-245, and P.L. 89-164.
Notes: The SBA had a single revolving loan fund for both disaster and business loans until 1966 (P.L. 89-409).
For FY1954 through FY1958, budgetary documents indicated the amount provided to the revolving loan fund,
which was designated for disaster assistance, and the amount designated for business loans. For FY1959 through
FY1966, budgetary documents no longer provided this level of detail. In FY1959, $27.5 million was provided for
management and training grants, which were awarded through FY1960. The SBA reported that most of the
increase in funding for other programs in FY1970 was due to an increase in funding for the SBA’s minority
management and technical assistance grant program. Most of the increase in funding for other programs in
FY1977 was due to the provision of $36 million for the surety bond guarantee program and $15 million for the
pollution control equipment guarantee revolving fund.
Congressional Research Service 28
Small Business Administration (SBA) Funding: Overview and Recent Trends
Author Information
Anthony A. Cilluffo Adam G. Levin
Analyst in Public Finance Analyst in Economic Development Policy
R. Corinne Blackford
Analyst in Small Business and Economic
Development Policy
Acknowledgments
Previous versions of this report were written by Robert Jay Dilger, former Senior Specialist in American
National Government. The authors gratefully acknowledge the contributions of the following individuals at
CRS: Grant Driessen, Acting Section Research Manager; Bruce Lindsay, Specialist in American National
Government; Brent Mast, Acting Coordinator of Research Planning; Andrew Schaefer, Editor; and Lauren
Stienstra, Section Research Manager.
Disclaimer
This document was prepared by the Congressional Research Service (CRS). CRS serves as nonpartisan
shared staff to congressional committees and Members of Congress. It operates solely at the behest of and
under the direction of Congress. Information in a CRS Report should not be relied upon for purposes other
than public understanding of information that has been provided by CRS to Members of Congress in
connection with CRS’s institutional role. CRS Reports, as a work of the United States Government, are not
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its entirety without permission from CRS. However, as a CRS Report may include copyrighted images or
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