MiDC Grant Program

The DC Department of Small and Local Business Development is excited to announce that it will begin accepting applications for the FY26 Made in DC Curator & Retail Innovation Grant Program (“MiDC Grant Program”).

Made in DC (“MiDC”) is a local certification program that supports and promotes businesses that design, make, produce, and/or assemble products in the District. The MiDC Grant Program is designed to support the growth and visibility of MiDC-certified businesses by creating structured retail opportunities that strengthen brand presence and drive revenue within the District.

The goal of the FY26 MiDC Grant Program is to advance retail placemaking for MiDC-certified businesses by establishing a shared curated retail platform that expands storefront access for brands without permanent brick-and-mortar locations. This initiative gives District-based businesses and makers across industries a structured, short-term retail space to sell locally made products and connect directly with customers, without the long-term commitments of an independent lease. To achieve this purpose, DSLBD will award funding to one or more qualified curators to design, manage, and operate temporary retail pop-up spaces located within the District that feature multiple MiDC-certified businesses across various industries.

DSLBD intends to award one (1) or more grants, with $25,000 in total funding available for FY26.

Applicants should demonstrate expertise in the following:

Managing and executing short‑term retail activations, including pop‑ups and multi‑vendor retail concepts.
Curating diverse product selections and recruiting MiDC-certified businesses, with an emphasis on brands without brick-and-mortar locations.
Overseeing retail operations such as vendor coordination, merchandising, customer experience, and compliance.
Developing and implementing marketing and outreach strategies to increase visibility and drive traffic to retail activations.
Strong project management, budget management, and data reporting capabilities.

The proposed programming should address the following objectives:

Engage a minimum of fifteen (15) MiDC-certified businesses during the period of time the retail space is active (the “Activation Period”).
Prioritize participation of businesses without permanent brick-and-mortar storefronts.
To the greatest extent possible, include businesses across multiple product categories, which may include:
- Fashion, apparel, and accessories
- Food and beverage
- Beauty, wellness, and personal care
- Lifestyle and home goods
- Other consumer product categories represented within the MiDC program. (See Appendix C).

The Period of Performance for the FY26 MiDC Grant Program will begin on the effective date of the relevant grant agreement and end on September 30, 2026.

Online Application & Deadline

Applicants must register and apply online using the link provided below: https://des.dslbd.dc.gov

Applicants must submit all documents and attestations within the District Enterprise System (“DES”) and complete a budget worksheet*. Only one application is allowed per applicant. Applicants can save progress on an application and return to make edits before final submission. Applications will not be accepted if submitted outside of DES or after the FY26 MiDC Grant Program deadline.

*DSLBD MiDC Budget Narrative Template

Key Dates

DSLBD anticipates reviewing eligible competitive grant applications beginning on or around May 23, 2026, and notifying awardees on June 29, 2026, but this timeframe is subject to change.

Date	Event
April 13, 2026, at 2:00 pm ET	Application Opens
April 20, 2026, at 11:00 am ET	Information Session #1
April 22, 2026, at 11:00 am ET	Q&A Session #1
April 28, 2026, at 2:00 pm ET	Information Session #2
May 7, 2026, at 11:00 am ET	Q&A Session #2
May 8, 2026 at 2:00 pm ET	Last Day to Ask Questions
May 13, 2026, at 2:00 pm ET	Application Closes
May 18, 2026 to May 22, 2026	Corrections Window
May 23, 2026	Competitive Review Panel Begins
June 29, 2026	Applicants Notified of Status

Look for FY26 MiDC Grant Program information sessions at https://www.eventbrite.com/o/department-of-small-amp-local-business-development-7956762164. Outside of an information session, send all questions in writing to [email protected]. DSLBD will not take questions via telephone. The last day to submit questions is May 8, 2026, at 2:00 pm ET.

Eligibility & Checklist

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

Must be a District-based business.
Applicant must have identified a retail space within the District and must provide documentation (e.g., valid, unexpired lease or other legally verifiable document evidencing a right to operate out of the retail space) confirming the space will be operational by July 1, 2026.
Applicants will be required to submit an attestation that the identified retail space will be active and operational by July 1, 2026.
The applicant's organization and Executive Director or other officer(s) have not been suspended from any District grant program for any reason within the past five (5) years. DSLBD will not solicit offers from, award grants to, renew or extend grant agreements with, or consent to subcontracts with entities that have been suspended during this timeframe.

Applicants who do not meet the eligibility requirements for an FY26 MiDC Grant will not be considered, and their submitted competitive application questions will not be reviewed.