H.R. 9818: Women’s Business Centers Improvement Act of 2026

The bill would change how the Small Business Administration’s Women’s Business Center Program works. It would broaden who can receive grants, set new rules for how grants are awarded and monitored, and create additional SBA offices and procedures to oversee the program.

Grant program changes

The bill would rewrite the program’s grant structure so that Women’s Business Centers could receive 5-year grants instead of shorter-term awards. It would also set new matching-fund requirements, meaning recipients would need to provide or raise a certain amount of non-federal support to qualify for or keep funding.

It would expand the types of organizations that are eligible to apply for grants, making more entities able to run Women’s Business Centers if they meet the program’s requirements.

New SBA oversight and support structure

The bill would create a women’s business office within the SBA to help manage the program. It would also establish an accreditation system, which would set standards centers would need to meet in order to be recognized under the program.

In addition, the bill would strengthen oversight, reporting, and privacy protections. This would likely require more regular reporting from grantees and more SBA review of how funds are used and how the centers operate.

Funding

The bill would authorize $31.5 million per year for the program. This is the amount Congress would approve for the program to be funded annually, though actual spending would still depend on appropriations.

Protection for existing grants

The bill would protect grants that are already in place, so current recipients would not be immediately displaced by the new rules. This suggests a transition period so existing centers can continue operating while the new requirements are put into effect.

Relevant Companies

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