WASHINGTON – The U.S. Small Business Administration has opened a Critical Suppliers Prize Competition offering as much as $20 million to help domestic small businesses expand production of materials and components important to U.S. supply chains.
The agency expects to select four to six winners around Sept. 10, with individual awards of as much as $6 million. Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern time Aug. 28.
Eligible applicants must be profitable, U.S.-based small businesses capable of beginning deployment within six months. Priority areas include advanced metals and materials, energy systems and other products tied to critical industrial capacity.
The competition is intended to accelerate projects that can reduce dependence on overseas suppliers and strengthen the resilience of American manufacturing. Businesses must submit required materials to the SBA at investinnovate@sba.gov.
