The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced Aug. 6 the availability of new Regional Innovation Cluster (RIC) funding of up to $7.5 million to support domestic manufacturers. The new funding will empower small businesses with the resources and technical assistance to start building and strengthening the nation’s supply chains.
“Our new RIC funding and ongoing outreach serves small businesses with practical tools to reshore jobs and critical industries,” said SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler, “reducing our reliance on foreign suppliers and protecting American strength and security. Not only will small businesses rebuild our industrial base – they will solidify America as the global leader in advanced manufacturing and innovation for the long term.”
The new funding will support the formation of up to 20 RICs to assist small businesses with rebuilding America’s manufacturing dominance. The agency is seeking competitive proposals from organizations who seek to start new RICs, especially those with strong partnerships and proven experience supporting the following critical industries:
- Advanced manufacturing
- Critical minerals
- Nuclear microreactors
- Quantum tech & emerging systems artificial intelligence
- Information technology (cybersecurity, cyber operations, data storage, etc.)
- Semiconductors
The RIC solicitation closes Aug. 8, 2025 at 4 p.m.
The SBA launched the RIC Initiative in September 2010 to promote and support the development of clusters, which are geographically concentrated groups of interconnected businesses, suppliers, service providers, and associated institutions in a particular industry or field across the country.
Clusters act as a networking hub for small businesses, convening resources to help navigate the funding, procurement, and supply-chain opportunities in a specific industry. They also assist businesses in matching cutting-edge technology to industry needs and increase the number of innovative small businesses and entrepreneurs in the nation’s supply chain.
