The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has announced a funding opportunity for the 2025 Microloan Program National Training Conference. This program invites experienced microlending organizations or national and regional nonprofit organizations with demonstrated expertise in microenterprise training to submit proposals to assist in conducting a national training conference for Microloan Program Intermediaries. The purpose of this conference is to ensure that participating intermediaries have the necessary knowledge and skills to successfully operate SBA microloan programs, which support small businesses, particularly those owned by women, veterans, and minority entrepreneurs.

The SBA plans to award up to $499,000 to one organization for this project, which will cover logistical support, including attendee registration, training schedule development, and reimbursement of travel and lodging expenses. The project period is one year, beginning around December 1, 2024, and ending on November 30, 2025. The selected organization will also be responsible for contracting necessary services, including conference space, IT support, and guest accommodations for the 2-day event, which will include a minimum of 16 hours of training. The venue must be centrally located in the U.S. and have facilities for up to 300 participants, along with three breakout rooms for smaller sessions.

Eligible applicants include organizations experienced in microlending or those that have provided training for microenterprise development. The organization must have the capacity to handle the logistics of a large national conference and demonstrate its ability to manage similar projects. Ineligible applicants include for-profit entities, individuals, organizations with unresolved federal financial obligations, and those that have previously had SBA grants terminated for cause.

Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov by 4:59 PM Eastern Time on November 8, 2024. Proposals must include a cover sheet, technical proposal, budget information, and various required forms. The technical proposal is limited to 15 pages and should outline the organization’s experience, proposed location, and logistical arrangements for the conference. Additionally, applicants must provide detailed budget information, including costs for travel reimbursement, equipment, and other expenses. No matching funds are required for this award, and indirect costs are allowed if properly documented.

Applications will be evaluated based on the applicant’s ability to meet the program requirements at the lowest cost. The review process includes a risk analysis, and the final selection will be based on the proposal’s cost, location, and the organization’s experience. The selected applicant will be notified before the end of the fiscal year, but no debriefing will be provided for unsuccessful applicants.

For more information, applicants can contact the SBA’s Microloan Program or Grants Management Office.