01
Health & Life Sciences
Main agencies
HHS (NIH, CDC, HRSA, SAMHSA), VA, Defense Health Agency, Indian Health Service, FDA.
Recurring grants
NIH research awards on standard February, June, and October cycles. HRSA health center
operations, rural health outreach, and workforce programs. CDC public health infrastructure
and immunization. SAMHSA behavioral health, opioid response, and certified community
behavioral health clinic funding. Ryan White HIV programs.
Recurring contracts
VA and DHA clinical staffing, medical and surgical supplies, pharmaceuticals, laboratory
services, medical equipment maintenance, health IT support, patient transport.
Good fit if you are
A clinic, hospital, health nonprofit, medical supplier, research organization,
or staffing agency.
02
Research & Innovation
Main agencies
NSF, NIH, DOE Office of Science, DARPA, ARPA-H, NASA, the military service labs,
and USDA’s research arm.
Recurring grants
This is where SBIR and STTR live. Eleven agencies participate and the combined program
runs into the billions annually. DoD runs multiple solicitation cycles a year, NIH uses
standard submission dates, and NSF accepts on a rolling basis. Beyond SBIR: NSF research
awards across every discipline, DOE Office of Science funding announcements, NASA
research announcements.
Recurring contracts
Broad agency announcements, other transaction agreements for prototypes, test and
evaluation support, research support services, technical studies and analysis.
Good fit if you are
A technology startup, a university research office, an R&D firm, or an inventor with
a working prototype. This is the single most accessible category for a small company
with no past performance.
03
Technology, Data & Computer Science
Main agencies
Every agency buys this. The heaviest volume comes from GSA, DISA, CISA, VA, Treasury,
and the IRS.
Recurring grants
State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program. NSF CyberCorps Scholarship for Service.
NSF computing research. NTIA broadband and digital equity programs.
Recurring contracts
Software development, cloud migration, help desk and desktop support, network operations,
security operations centers, zero trust implementation, data analytics, records
digitization, geospatial services. Most of it flows through the GSA Multiple Award
Schedule, which accepts new offers continuously, and through governmentwide vehicles
like CIO-SP and Alliant.
Good fit if you are
An IT services firm, software company, managed service provider, or a local government
IT office.
04
Business, Manufacturing & Professional Services
Main agencies
SBA, Commerce (Economic Development Administration, NIST), DLA, GSA, and every agency
for services.
Recurring grants
SBA programs supporting small business assistance centers and technology
commercialization. NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership center awards. EDA programs
supporting regional business growth and entrepreneurship.
Recurring contracts
The largest slice of federal contract dollars by volume. Program and project management,
administrative and clerical support, staffing, financial management and audit support,
human resources support, marketing and communications, printing, warehousing and
distribution, transportation and freight, spare parts and component supply, facilities
management, food service, custodial. Flows heavily through the GSA Multiple Award
Schedule, OASIS Plus, and the 8(a) STARS vehicle.
Good fit if you are
A manufacturer, distributor, logistics firm, consultancy, staffing company, or
professional services provider. If you cannot find yourself in another category,
start here.
05
Defense, Security & Public Safety
Main agencies
Army, Navy, Air Force, DLA, DHS (FEMA, CISA, CBP, TSA), DOJ (BJA, COPS, OJJDP).
Recurring grants
Assistance to Firefighters and SAFER staffing grants in the fall. Homeland Security
Grant Program and Emergency Management Performance Grants in the spring. Byrne JAG in
the summer. COPS Hiring. Victims of Crime Act formula funds. Building Resilient
Infrastructure and Communities.
Recurring contracts
Base operations support, facility guard services, training and simulation, vehicle and
equipment maintenance, ammunition and ordnance, uniforms and field gear, range support,
logistics.
Good fit if you are
A fire district, police department, emergency management office, security firm,
trainer, or defense supplier.
06
Community, Housing & Human Services
Main agencies
HUD, HHS (Administration for Children and Families, Administration for Community
Living), Treasury CDFI Fund, Economic Development Administration, DOJ Office on
Violence Against Women.
Recurring grants
Community Development Block Grant and HOME formula funds through states and entitlement
cities. Continuum of Care homelessness funding, typically announced in late summer.
Section 202 and 811 housing for elderly and disabled residents. Head Start and Early
Head Start. Community Services Block Grant. LIHEAP energy assistance. CDFI Fund
financial assistance. EDA public works and economic adjustment. Violence against women
formula and discretionary programs.
Recurring contracts
Technical assistance and capacity building, case management services, program
evaluation, housing counseling, call center and eligibility support.
Good fit if you are
A nonprofit, housing authority, community action agency, tribal organization, or
human services provider.
07
Education & Workforce
Main agencies
Department of Education, Department of Labor, NSF, Institute of Museum and Library
Services, AmeriCorps.
Recurring grants
TRIO programs including Upward Bound and Student Support Services. GEAR UP. Title III
and Title V institutional strengthening for minority-serving institutions. Perkins
career and technical education. DOL apprenticeship expansion and youth employment
programs. NSF advanced technological education. Education grants tend to cluster
between February and May.
Recurring contracts
Curriculum development, training delivery, instructional design, program evaluation,
testing and assessment services, student loan servicing support.
Good fit if you are
A school district, college, training provider, workforce development board, or
education consultant.
08
Infrastructure, Construction & Transportation
Main agencies
DOT (Federal Highway, Federal Transit, FAA), GSA, Army Corps of Engineers, VA, DoD.
Recurring grants
RAISE discretionary grants, usually opening early in the calendar year. Safe Streets
and Roads for All in the summer. Airport Improvement Program annually. Transit formula
funds and low-emission bus programs. Bridge and rail crossing programs.
Recurring contracts
New construction and renovation, design-build, architecture and engineering services,
roofing, paving, HVAC, electrical, roads and grounds, janitorial, facility operations
and maintenance. Much of it flows through multiple-award construction contracts that
get recompeted on a schedule.
Good fit if you are
A general contractor, specialty trade, engineering firm, transit agency, or public
works department.
09
Energy & Environment
Main agencies
DOE, EPA, Interior (BLM, Park Service, Fish and Wildlife), NOAA, USDA Forest Service,
Army Corps of Engineers.
Recurring grants
EPA Brownfields assessment and cleanup in the fall. DOE State Energy Program and
Weatherization Assistance. DOE efficiency and renewable energy announcements on a
rolling basis. Clean school bus and clean ports programs. NOAA coastal resilience and
habitat restoration. Forest Service urban and community forestry.
Recurring contracts
Environmental remediation and site cleanup, environmental assessments and NEPA
documentation, national lab support services, wildland fire suppression and fuels
reduction, water and wastewater treatment operations, land management and trail
work.
Good fit if you are
An environmental consultant, energy contractor, conservation nonprofit, utility, or
land management firm.
10
Agriculture, Food & Rural
Main agencies
USDA (Rural Development, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Agricultural
Marketing Service, Food and Nutrition Service, Natural Resources Conservation
Service), FDA.
Recurring grants
Community Facilities grants and loans for rural buildings and equipment. Rural
Business Development Grants. ReConnect rural broadband. Value-Added Producer Grants.
Specialty Crop Block Grants through state agriculture departments. Farmers Market
Promotion. SNAP nutrition education. Conservation Innovation Grants. Most Rural
Development programs open on staggered annual cycles rather than all at once.
Recurring contracts
Commodity food procurement and distribution, food safety inspection support,
agricultural research support, land and range management services.
Good fit if you are
A farm, agricultural co-op, rural hospital or utility, food bank, tribal government,
or a town under 50,000 people.
International & Global Programs
The board has no separate international filter. Overseas work is tagged
by its subject, the same as domestic work, because this market is defined by what is
bought rather than where. It still behaves like its own market, so it gets its own
entry.
Main agencies
Department of State (including bureaus covering educational and cultural exchange,
refugee assistance, human rights, and international narcotics and law enforcement),
Department of Defense security cooperation, Peace Corps, Millennium Challenge
Corporation, U.S. Trade and Development Agency, Development Finance Corporation.
Recurring grants
International exchange and educational programs. Refugee and migration assistance.
Democracy and human rights programming. Global health security. Anti-trafficking
programs.
Recurring contracts
Overseas embassy and consulate construction and maintenance, local guard services,
language and translation services, monitoring and evaluation of overseas programs,
feasibility studies for infrastructure projects abroad, logistics and shipping.
Worth knowing
U.S. foreign assistance is in the middle of a major structural change. On July 1,
2025, the State Department assumed responsibility for many functions and active awards
previously held by USAID, and several smaller foreign assistance agencies have been
proposed for elimination. New award volume dropped sharply and has only recently begun
to pick back up. If you work in this space, confirm the awarding office and payment
path in writing before you invest in a proposal.
Good fit if you are
An international NGO, an exchange program operator, a firm with overseas delivery
capability, or a research organization with a global focus. You do not have to be
based overseas to compete.